Greetings from the Bloody Hand

Greetings everybody:

I would like to thank everybody for the very kind posts regarding the Bloody Hand Whistle Plans. They are wonderfully gratifying. I hope your handiwork brings you much pleasure.

Two years ago I began a swift descent into the abyss named WhOA. At the depth of this of affliction, I penned the infamous diatribe later published by Dale Wisely, the Undisputed King of Internet Whistle Journalism. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

In the preceding months I had purchased a set of Shaws (E - Low D), several Susatos, four Clarkes, a pair of Waltons’, and a Howard Low C that I played with my fingers and toes. I had also ordered an O’Riordan D/C set that I am still hoping to receive.

My wife did not understand the copper shaving in the carpet, the constant chiffing and fippling. I scolded my trumpet-playing children for slobbering on my four dollar Clarke. I poured over the posts on the Poststructural Whistle Board and exchanged e-mail with the likes of Hastay, Stewart, and Parkhurst.

Frankly, I hit rock bottom, burned out and busted. I simply left the community “indefinitely” and joined a twelve step recovery program at the local YMCA.

Like Michel Corleone before me, “just when I though I was out, they pull me back in,” I now rejoin the whistle community, wiser, poorer, and greatly humbled with older children and the same wife.

The Bloody Hand,

Robert J. McElroy

PS: My heart goes out to the many disappointed by the John McHaffie affair. I once considered selling my own design and thankfully choose to print rather than produce. There, but for the grace of God go I.


[ This Message was edited by: DaleWisely on 2002-02-07 00:23 ]

Thanks for honestly approaching what can be a real addiction. Then, of course, there’s always addiction to internet discussion groups…

Robert, glad to see you back! Tell me, what are your impressions of the Howard low C. It’s going to be quite some time before I’m ever back in the market for a whistle, as you can probably tell from my posts on another thread. But when I’m able to buy again, I’ll be looking at a low C. I had a Burke that I sold, really nice whistle. It went to a good home. I like the sound and the key of low C.

On 2002-02-06 20:39, bloody hand wrote:
Greetings everybody:

I would like to thank everybody for the very kind posts regarding the Bloody Hand Whistle Plans. They are wonderfully gratifying. I hope your handiwork brings you much pleasure.

Let me thank you instead. I didn’t use the plans, but got the idea to use the fipple from a sweetone C from them. It fits into a half inch schedule 40 PVC connector if you wrap it with teflon tape. Then you can use 1/2 inch PVC pipe for the body.

I made a low F and will be starting on an A soon. I plan on using the same mouthpiece assembly with interchangable tubes.

YOU !!! It’s YOUR fault. Its your fault I’m studying wave forms, Fipple designs, Hole placement in conical and cylindrical forms.
Heheh…Fortunately my wife understands.

Just kidding by the way although I am studying those things,but I was planning on building my whistle long before I found your plans

Dan

Welcome back Robert! It’s good to hear from you again.

Vinny

Hi Robert,
Just wanted to say thanks for the plans. I have made a set of whistles from them that I love.