Despite the popular rumor, I have not as of yet passed away!
(whoops!! Sorry! I’m editing this because I just realized you may not know my chiff handle. I am David A. Boisvert…my whistles are often referred to as “greenwood” whistles. Greenwood is Boisvert in English and is just the business name.)
In fact, I have begun making foray’s into the shop. I am returning to making instruments under a very modified business model.
When physical ailments forced me to close my business, I had to cancel a number of orders. If you were one of the people who had their orders cancelled (and are still interested in a whistle(s)) Please visit my website and send me a message via the “Interest List” link.
I am not taking orders “per se” or any sort of deposit. I am however “taking names” in the form of an interest list. If you are SERIOUSLY interested please feel free to leave your name on my interest list. (don’t email it to me as it may get lost, the interest list info is stored in a specific place and in a specific way)
Hey Dave, great to see you back. Your whistles are excellent, and I hope your health improves to the point where you are back in full production again. God bless!
Hi David,
I am glad to hear you are getting better. The cocobolo D made by you that I played is by far the best whistle I have ever played. I hope to get another some day.
I had a Bb flat on order from you when it had to be cancelled and am overjoyed to hear you are getting back up and around. Anyone tht ever gets a chance to own, or even play a Greenwood whistle is lucky indeed.
Kurt
Thanks for the very kind words guys… I’m taking time to really enjoy myself now. Doing my best to avoid any pressures and demands. I’m letting this “go around” be entirely organic and I’m TOTALLY pandering to my artistic self…just doing whatever strikes me… heh…I made a low A whistle the other day with 2 blockmounted keys made from old and ornate silver spoons and with ivory tonehole liners/inserts, just for the heck of it…that’ll sit around the shop, probably next to the clear acrylic chanter that lights up from the rotating led’s in the chanter top! Yeah, I know..TOTALLY stupid..and the blasted thing is has an out of tune cnat and back d… ah well…another desk-lamp project!
Hey David, it is good to see you are doing well, and making instruments. I am also glad I don’t have to call you dustbiter either. Just kidding. Anyway, I hope all stays great for you.
p.s. anyone who wonders why my handle is reedbiter has
a. never made an uilleann reed
b. never watched me fine tune a chanter reed before!
c. never tasted the nutritional goodness and flavor explosion that is arundo donax!
p.s.s. ..uh..just kidding about the arundo donax stuff…don’t try this at home or you will invent all new forms of turture relating to jungle warfare and bamboo or cane resources! thought a sliver of cane/bamboo under the fingernail was bad?
Thanks Mitch! Nice looking stuff you got there, I’d love to play one.
Here’s my current project…aged, highly figured english boxwood with an antler fipple…one of my all time favorite sets!
Handmade, fitted walnut case and a 2 piece boxwood & delrin cleaning rod with a blunted end to reach the inside of the fipple (where all the juicy icky stuff collects).
Scalloping…well, there’s many ways to define and approach this concept. Most pipers and pipemakers view and approach to scalloping is a bit too aggressive for my taste and I’ve found that it is often done incorrectly and can muck with the tuning of an instrument.
I don’t really scallop, though I do gently contour the fingerholes to be more ergonomic and comfortable and to eliminate the sharp edges both outside AND inside. It actually contributes to a much more rounded, pure and stable tone. Early on in my whistle making I left the hole edges pretty sharp. Some people like that, so they can feel the holes. Personally I found this to be uncomfortable.
Thanks again for the comments. This set IS intended for sale, and is just about to hit the “interest list” ladder. It will only be sold as a complete set. I’m making about 1 set per week right now with a few whistles “on the bench” waiting to be put in the game, so hopefully one might not have to wait too long.
I may be looking at a back fusing surgery, so I’m trying to get as much done right now as possible while still HAVING FUN!
Just kidding. Anyway, I hope all stays great for you.
;with the whistle of course.