Hi,
Have many people played Mr. Grinter’s high D whistle? I think PhilO got one recently. I’ve heard great reviews of his lower whistles, but haven’t heard much about the soprano D.
It’s a bit cheaper than an Abell or ThinWeasel (or even a Copeland now…). Does it compare favorably to these other high end wooden whistles? Does it take a huge amount of air (as I’ve heard the lower ones do)?
Thanks for anyone with info!
-Brett
If you get the chance to catch Altan in concert on their current North American tour you’ll hear Ciaran Tourish play a Grinter Soprano D. His whistle solo is worth the entrance fee alone. Also I’m sure Ciaran would be delighted to talk Grinter whistles with you. Don’t be shy to approach him, he’s a great lad!
I would also love to know too - I’ve mailed Michael Grinter but had no reply.
Mike generally takes a couple weeks to respond to e-mails. He’s a busy guy. Send him another.
Chris
P.S. - Jessie has at least a couple of Grinters.
P.P.S. - I also saw Altan in concert on Friday and Cieran played both a high D and a low D Grinter.
I’ve exchanged email with Michael Grinter recently. He may take a few days to get back to you, but, he always has replied to my questions and been very helpful.
Where do you get the idea that Grinters are cheaper than other high end whistles? They may be the most expensive, actually. They sound woody and strong. The construction is nice, but it seems a bit thin-walled. Still, no breakage yet here. They don’t much like being in the high octave, but if you push, it’s doable. Once you get used playing the difference between the low and high octaves, they are very nice, strong whistles with a lot of character. They smell good, too.
Jessie
Yo, Jess, 'sup? Nice to see you around. 
On 2002-03-12 13:04, Bloomfield wrote:
Yo, Jess, 'sup?
Nice command of the English language!
I don’t expect to be a regular anymore, and I don’t plan to answer the same old questions again and again. I do, however, know quite a bit about whistles. So perhaps sometimes I will feel compelled to respond to something. Not a commitment, mind you.
J
On 2002-03-12 13:10, JessieK wrote:
Nice command of the English language!
Well, I do try. 
I though you probably couldn’t stay away for long. BTW, how do I play notes below the D on my D whistle? I can’t find it on the fingering charts. 
We saw the pic that Terry posted. How was it hanging out with Joanie Madden? Can you post a pic of a Grinter?
Mr. Grinter emailed me that a soprano D was $240 (US), which is less than an Abell or Thin Weasel… that’s what my comment was based on. -bretton
ed. for P.S. He also said he was making the next batch from cocobolo, which I believe may be a different wood than he usually uses, but I’m not sure.? What’s yours made of Jessie?
[ This Message was edited by: Bretton on 2002-03-12 14:56 ]
Notes below D? You don’t. Just play them up an octave.
Chris
On 2002-03-12 14:53, ChrisLaughlin wrote:
Notes below D? You don’t. Just play them up an octave.
Chris
I know, I know. I was teasing Jessie. It’s the kind of question she doesn’t want to answer anymore. But thanks, anyway.
My Grinters are made of red lancewood and are particularly beautiful; this wood is neither as dense nor as stable as African blackwood, but resonates nicely. I’ve had no problems, as long as you remember to swab the bore of moisture after each session and light coat of outside of wood with almond oil. Also, maybe once a month or so inside the wood with oil lightly as well. This particular soprano D is my favorite of all such whistles (at this very moment) - very responsive, sweet, strong and in tune through both octaves. I actually like it a bit better than my matching Low F. The F is solid at the low end, but so incredible at the high end that I am surprised by it each time I play it. So far these compare favorably to Sweets, Thin Weasles or ABells (which I’m still coming to terms with). Good luck. Philo
My Grinters are made of cocobolo. I got them from Paul Groff in MA, and I see that he had quite a mark-up in price, which I didn’t know at the time. I’m glad you e-mailed Michael Grinter directly.
Actually, I sometimes play C# below D on a d whistle. Use your pinky to cover half of the bottom opening of the tube.
It is always great fun to hang out with Joanie…she’s wonderful.
I don’t feel like taking or posting a new picture of the Grinter.
J
LOL
Sorry dude.
Jessie, I think Paul marks up all his flutes and whistles from Michael 25%. Does that sound about right? Paul is actually a wonderful guy, an incredible musician, and a friend. When I wanted to get a Grinter I asked him first and he recommended that unless I needed a flute immediately I should buy from Michael.
Best,
Chris
Last I heard (from both Paul and Michael well over 6 months ago) Chris, was that Paul no longer sells whistles and flutes for Grinter, one has to buy direct now, or not at all. Perhaps this has changed, but the way Paul Groff always griped about how little he made on Grinter’s instruments, I somehow doubt it.
Loren
Hmm… maybe it was a 10% markup… I forget. One way or the other Paul is not getting rich selling instruments. I think the reason why he stopped selling Michael’s instruments is that he’s been in the process of getting married (yes, it is a process). He used to live right in Boston, work a this shop full time and play out at the session quite often, but now hr lives outside of Boston and only plays one session a week.
A fun fact - Paul has a photographic memory. He remembers nearly every tune he has ever heard, who he heard it from, what it’s history is, etc and can play it back in the style of the person who originally played it. That’s all well and good when he wants to remember the playing of good musicians, but it’s not such a good thing when he has poor renditions by beginning musicians emblazoned in his mind for the rest of his life… really, he can’t turn his photographic memory on and off - it’s on full time.
Chris
PhilO,
Regarding your Grinter Low F:
What do you mean when you say the upper octave suprises you? Is it hard to jump octaves? Is it harsh?
How do the wind requirments compare with a Copeland Low D or a Burke Low D?
Brian