How many Generation whistles did you obtain before finally getting a “good” one? I have bought 5 so far, and with all the tweaking I have been able to do, only 1 has come somewhat close. I know once I get hold of that “good” one it will be my favorite whistle, but the search goes on. I know it’s out there!
Ailin
The generations are all crap. If you want a good whistle, buy a Rose (or maybe an Abell).
Cheers,
Have you considered the possibility that you just don’t like the Generation sound and/or the way they play? I own a Bb that I quite like and F and G because they’re the only ones widely available. I’ve played tons of C’s and D’s when shopping and disliked every one of them, probably not because every one was bad but because they’re just not to my taste.
Charlie
Like Chas, I got a good Bb right off the bat. It took about 3 Cs and 5 Ds to get a good one of each. The high G is a great whistle, though tough to listen to for long. Like you, I was looking for that good Gen, and it is very good. Since they’re cheap, try a several more, and if you don’t find a good one, try other brands. There are plenty out there.
I definitely like the Generation sound and the way they play. The one I have that was close to what I wanted should have been left as it was at that point of tweaking. Unfortunately, I tried just a very slight bit more adjustment and it quickly crossed the fine line to near ruin. Hence, I am looking for another one.
Bring an alcohol pad with you and insist that you get to try them. That is the only way to get a good Generation. It will be awkward in the store where you visit but its worth the trouble. I used to sell fine wooden recorders (Moeck) and even tho’ alcohol is not really good for the finish, I could not deny customers the right to try something that cost a lot. Be firm, quick and polite about it. A human will respond.
I have decent ones in all keys besides D. For whatever reason, the nickel ones I have are best. And here is one to discuss: the red plastic cracks when you “tweak (heat and remove head)” but I haven’t lost any blue ones. unfortunately, none of em sound as clear after tweaking but they are in tune at least.
For Ds, just get a Feadog if you can (but I am a type T according to Dale Force One).
Um… hey Bloomfield, you’re wrong! 
Your pal,
Chris
This might be pointing out the too obvious, but if you have a few have you tried to mix-and-match the mouthpieces and tubes?
I do this every once in a while when my taste changes. Currently I’m playing 2 or three that I like, but have no idea the brand of either the tubes or mouthpieces. It’s just finding a tube that’s close to my idea of “in tune” and a mouthpiece that “feels right” when it’s played.
Bruce
On 2002-04-03 17:32, The Weekenders wrote:
Bring an alcohol pad with you and insist that you get to try them.
Alan, are there any stores around here with whistles? I’d go with you to try them out!
On 2002-04-03 17:56, ChrisLaughlin wrote:
Um… hey Bloomfield, you’re wrong! >
Your pal,
Chris
Aww Chris,
You’re just bitter because someone else has your killer Abell set now, heh, heh, heh…
Loren “Got me a badass set of Abells” B.
That’s it Loren… this war!
I’ve bought over a dozen Generations, and with one exception they were at best mediocre. That exception was an all-metal antique Generation High G from eBay that’s as sweet as a lark’s song and absolutely nothing like a modern Generation High G.
Conclusion: if it isn’t at least 50 years old its “buyer beware”.
I’ve tootled at whistles for decades
without knowing what I was doing–
until I got serious a few years ago.
Well the whistles I tootled on were
Generations. Nothing else back then.
Sometimes I remember
in the middle of the night a couple
of them that sounded very very
beautiful, many years ago, like
birds singing, warbling, but
I didn’t know it then, I
didn’t understand what they really
were, you see. I wake up screaming.
Relationship Between Generation Key and Good One to Crappy One (GO/CO)Ratio
“Pretty Good” GO/CO Ratio (pretty good odds you’ll get a good one with your first random choice):
Bb, F
“Fair to Semi-Sucky”:
C
“Semi-Sucky”:
Eb
“Just Plain Sucky”
D
Haven’t played enough high G s to know but I think probably there in the Fair category.
[ This Message was edited by: DaleWisely on 2002-04-03 23:39 ]
Well, I had outdone myself with a witty response to Dale Force One askin; to lay off Generations when there are more deserving “painpipes” to bash but I lost my text when I checked the website at Andys Front Hall for its town name.
Avanutria and Ailin, where is Voorheesville relative to Rochester? Can’t you go there and buy whistles? I know NY is a big state but take a picnic or something. Don;t forget at least two kinds of alcohol. Am I missin something about Andy;s Front Hall?
Generations without a doubt are the most controversial cheap tin whistle on the market.In a way I agree with Bloomfield that your average Gen is “crap” but if one knows how to deal with this quirky instrument it can rival some of the best and most expensive whistles out there, which are also not immune to criticism.A Generation is a “kit” that has the advantage and potential to be personalised to the players needs and taste.The mythical good one is just that and the great paradox is that you most likely are in posession of it already.Whistles and fiddles have much in common in that they both require the player to fully unleash the instruments potential. Peace,Mike 
So that’s what’s wrong with my generations - they’re not fully unleashed!
Like violence in the Middle East, the Generation war on this board just seems to erupt once in a while. Where the heck’s the pro-Generation preemptive strike force (Stevie & Peter) when you need 'it?
Seriously, some people (such as, like, me) will dispute the fact that you need to “go through” several Generations to find a good one.
Cheers,
Jens
I have 2 Generation Ds in Nickel and one in Brass, and having moved the head out until they’re in tune, I like them all.
I also have at least one in every other key, all of which are fine.
Maybe I’m just easily pleased, but I can’t see what all the fuss is about Generations.
My only complaint is that in the UK the coating they put on the brass is often not uniform, especially if the shop has stuck their price tags on them, leading to a crappy looking whistle.
Hey Bloomfield, I remember someone saying something like “let them eat cake” … when someone else was talking about the Rose being the perfect whistle.