Would like to try something other than my Clarke Sweettone D. Found a site with Elf Song Pennywhistles. While certainly pretty, they have copper and brass mouthpieces, wooden fipple or plastic. Am looking for something a little less “shrill” than my sweetone, maybe less “breathy”. Anybody want to have a look and give me your opinion? Being from Canada, I would like to avoid the border hassles (duty etc.)
Oops , forgot to post the website address…
I believe you’d be very happy with an Elfsong whistle. If you haven’t already, listen to the sound clips on her site.
And you couldn’t ask for a nicer, more helpful person to work with than Sandy!
- Jan
An Elfsong C/D combo was my first “high-end” whistle, and it’s still a huge favorite. The sound is lovely (you couldn’t possibly ask for something further from the Clarke), and they are even more beautiful in “person” than they are on the website. Sandy is a great person to work with. I think you’d be very happy with an Elfsong.
Redwolf
Yep–Sandy’s great, the whistles are beautiful, tunable, and in tune. If you have any problems (as I had with some epoxy on the mouthpiece that never hardened), she’ll make it right.
I’ve got 2 Ds and a C, and got my daughter a C/D combo for college graduation.
And somehow Sandy has figured out how to get them to us in the US without any problems, either.
I can’t recommend her highly enough.
M
One thing that may help…if you do a search here with “Elfsong” or “Elf Song” in the search string, you’ll find a lot of input, and probably several reviews.
Redwolf
I am definitely in the minority here, but my Elfsong is my least-played whistle. I found it hard to bring into tune and difficult to play all around. I also didn’t care for the shape of the mouthpiece and the metallic taste but this is a matter of preference. I was thinking of selling it on here but I guess I just screwed that up 
.
Your best bet might be to find some way to play one before buying it to see if you like it. I agree that Sandy is extremely good to deal with. I have heard if you want a whistle more geared to a beginner she will craft it that way so maybe you could mention that if you decide to buy.
Like I said, my experience seems to be the exception and Elfsongs whistles have many supporters.
I shall live and die by my elfsongs, I have an E, D, C, Bb and A and am currently saving my pennys to buy her Low D. I personally think its a great pure whistle, with some very nice overtones too.
They are absolutely gorgeous eye candy too.
Elfsongs rule.
My elfsong is pretty much the only whistle I play, except when I’m trying to learn a brand new tune, then it’s a cheap old Oak (takes less air).
The Elfsongs are the only high-G and high-F whistles I’ve ever heard that didn’t make me want to ram ice-picks through my eardrums. 
Very sweet tone, no shrillness at all. That, and they’re just gorgeous.
Yup, I’ve got some of her very high whistles, and they’re always a huge hit when I play them. It’s amazing that something that high could sound so good.
Don’t make me want one. I mean it.
Oh, you know you don’t want one, emmline.
You want seven.
I have an Elfsong all-copper. It rocks! Very sweet sound, very little chiff until you get into the upper octave, where the chiff is mostly in the form of slight airy “ringing” which gets progressively louder as the pitch rises. This is not a criticism. I like the effect, which, to my ear, makes it sound a bit more “trad” than it does in the lower octave. My only complaint is that I don’t have two!
Cheers,
Bill Whedon
At least one in each color. And one in each key. Oh yes…and one with a wooden fipple and one with delrin, for comparison.
Redwolf 
Uhmm, brass or copper?
Seriously, in another thread, Sandy said that all of her whistles are also available in brass. What differences can I expect between the two materials. I think my WhOA and my budget are finally about to intersect at “Elf Song.” :adminok: