E whistles?

Whistle
1

I’m curious if it’s possible to modify say a Generation Eb whistle into an E whistle?

I know Susato makes, one, I think I even saw a Tony Dixon one, but both of those are plastic and errr, I like my Generation and Feadog style whistles more if I can help it. I know Shaw makes an E, but they’re way too breathy for my tastes…

I’d like to not spend any more then 100$ really, as I would hardly use this Key, but I can use it to play in A major quite nicely if I remember right, at least in such a manner that you could play tunes on a D whistle in G major… So that kills off all the “high end” whistle makers I know that make this rare key.

Am I missing anybody?

2

I’ve a Syn E. It’s a good whistle and fun to play, and has the volume for play in medium to large sessions.

On the flip side, Jen has an Elfstone E that is absolutely wonderful but plays very very softly. When Danu played here, Tom Doorley tried that whistle and absolutely fell in love with it. It’s not really loud enough for session play but in an absolutely enchanting whistle in every other way.

That’s my only experience with E whistles. Sorry I can’t provide more input.

–James

3

Gary Humphrey also makes an E as does Michael Burke.

Doc

4

Both David O’Brien and Daniel Bingamon make them also. I think either of these would be in the price range you suggested.

5

I didn’t think of O’Brien! I’ve two of his whistles, they are as good as any I’ve played.

Also, you might check with Mack Hoover. I don’t know if he makes E whistles, but I’ve several of his whistles in other keys and they are all wonderful.

–James

6

Ian Turnbull makes an E as well. Impempe whistles from Africa.

Doc

7

Why not try shortening the Gen Eb?

You’d have to do it at the fipple end. The scale will probably go out of tune a touch, If you got the bell note right on E, the F will probably be a bit sharp.

Conversely, you could try stretching an F.

8

The intonation (scale) will be very poor.


Loren

9

I suspected as much. E is such a maker’s key - the SYN E is quite nice.

10

Gary Humphrey makes beautiful Irish Whistles. His brass E is $85.00.

I do not own an E, but I do own a E Flat, D, C, and a Low B, they are

VERY fine whistles. Nice traditional sound, tuning is spot on, beautiful to

look at, and within the price range you are looking at.

-James

A Stor Mo Chroi…

11

I have a Mack Hoover low E. Very nice whistle.

Mark

12

I have both Susato high and low E and think they are both very nice whistles and play perfectly in tune.

13

Another alternative might be to soak the head off the Gen Eb and pick up a length of brass tube the same diameter. I’m sure someone here can direct you to the right place to work out fingerhole spacings. It would probably cost about $2.50 and would sound SO MUCH better!

14

I took the head off a old generation Eb and cut the body a bit shorter from the top to make it into a E whistle; for a friend that needed something at short notice. It worked okay. If you make it so the scale is a shade sharp then it’s easier to get the scale in tune by using tape rather than enlarging the holes. Hope this helps.

David

15

My thoughts exactly… I wish Generations or Feadog style whistles came in such odd keys…

I’ve never made my own whistle, so I don’t know the science involved with drilling holes- ie - how large, where to drill exactly, so that the whistle is in tune, or at least able to be tuned properly. Or how long the whistle body should be. But I wouldn’t mind learning!

16

I have two Burke Es, al and brass. They are both nice but I recommend the brass. It handles the higher register better. I tried Susatos, and ended up with two because of a back-order snafu and I don’t like either of em. I have a Shaw E and it sucks, even if you squeeze the windway together.