Greenwood whistle help

To make a very long story, very short, I purchased a Greenwood whistle, made by David Boisvert about six years ago. I loved it and it made me sound better than I am!

When David made the whistle for me, he asked where I lived and how I planned to use it as he said this would make some differences in how he made the whistle.

At that time, I lived in northern California. I played my Greenwood a lot and often. I play outdoors, mostly. I had no troubles with the whistle.

Four years ago we moved to Arkansas. There is a lot more humidity here. Between CA and AR, my beloved Greenwood stopped working right. The brass fittings became loose and I almost had thought it was broken. I have to separate the pieces about an inch apart to keep it in key. Even when doing that the lower notes come out at a whisper. It also slides apart way too easy as it no longer fits snug. Even if I had to have the inch spacing, I would use it, but since it slides so easily, it is impossible to keep it in tune.

I have cleaned it and kept it in safe places in the house. Not in the sun or by a heat or AC vent. I have contacted David but have never heard back from him. I think he has had health issues, so I don’t know how he is doing these days.

I don’t know what to do! I don’t know where I could take it to see what might be wrong. You would think the higher humidity here would make the whistle tighter, not looser.

Has anyone had this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions that I could look into?

I am playing my other favorite whistles, one of which is an older Sweetheart, but none have the louder sound I need for playing at festivals that are outside.

Thanks in advance!
Sherri

I almost guarantee that you’re getting a leak. I would suggest you wrap the tenon in Teflon tape and see if that helps. As to stetting it actually fixed, I would suggest any of the current wooden whistle makers and see if they can inspect (and possibly fix) it.

Send it back to him for a renovation.
Here’s the email address:
davidandkora(at)msn.com

Thanks for your input. I have tried emailing and calling and have never gotten a reply. I also tried wrapping the whistle to hold it in position, but that didn’t help.
I will try contacting David again before I let it go out to someone else for possible ‘fixing’.
I appreciate you folks taking the time to reply!
Sherri

Possibly MSN is blocking your email and David is not receiving them? If you’re on Facebook, try friending him at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1584434184 (or search for David A. Boisvert) and either include a message with your request, or if successfully added, send a message through Facebook.

Some contact info from last year (yes, I noted that you wrote that you’d already called - maybe a letter via post?):

David Boisvert
Greenwood Pipes
251 Minnesota Ave.
Roseville, MN. 55113
(651) 765-0048