Harper Whistles?

Whistle
1

Came across a Harper Low ‘G’ for sale

Anyone have experience of these?

Is it worth looking at?

Thanks

Hulbert

2

I have a Harper high D - wide bore aluminum with flared end and shell casing logo, not tuneable - a very nice player that I got second hand; only really small issue are not well finished tone holes; while chamfered, a couple of the top edges are a bit sharp. As a player, I find it well balanced with bright tone, responsive enough, and chiffless. As a collector, it is unique and has a place in my little museum. Have neither played nor seen a G.

Philo

3

Nice to know thanks PhilO, armed with this information I will investigate further

Hulbert

4

It’s being transferred to my local branch for me to trial it

Let you know next week

Hulbert

5

I bought a Harper high D from a forum member recently. While the whistle was beautifully made and finished. I, contrary to PhilO, thought it was extremely poorly balanced. The wind requirement and volume above G’ were both extreme and uncomfortable. The low octave was pleasant enough but not in any way extraordinary or special. I expected a lot from the whistle, partly based on the praise levelled at it on this forum, but found it deeply disappointing. I re-sold it immediately. It was not for me. Or the previous owner, who agreed with my assessment of the whistle. The new owner however, the day after she received it, said she loved it.

Try before you buy and make sure it suits you.

6

Oh dear, such divergence of opinion

Thanks for that Mr. G

As you say ‘will try before buy’ (even then I have a seven day return on it)

Hulbert

7

Good advice, but remember that, although some tastes are more refined than others, there is a great deal of subjectiveness and there can be a degree of variance within the same maker from period to period whistle to whistle, etc. A real divergence would be 2 totally opposite opinions of the actual exact same whistle. In any event, enjoy.

Philo

8

PhilO is right ofcourse. The whistle I got, it has been suggested, may well have been a ‘clunker’. It flies in the face of the dearly held opinion of some who think an artisan/designer whistle is the answer to all woes but to be honest I have not found any proof that more expensive means more consistent. Quite the contrary in a lot of cases. The way it was, it didn’t suit me at all.

My mantra is: try before you buy and when buying from a maker or dealer ask for a trial period during which you can return the whistle in exchange for a refund. And always buy from a maker who plays the whistle and plays it well. Anything less than excellently played soundclips on a maker’s website for example should be an immediate turn-off. If a maker doesn’t play well and/or hasn’t access to good players how the hell can he know what he’s doing?

9

The supplier will allow me an hour or so in a ‘test room’ they have and I still have a seven day return option after that

I feel comfortable buying on that basis, more than once I’ve bought after a trial in a shop and considered a whistle okay (any idiosyncrasies’ have been attributed to my 'not being used to it) only to be disappointed after a concerted period of playing at home

I’ve posted elsewhere that I also picked up THREE Hohners for an absurd sum on Ebay last night, seems to be my week for picking up rare whistles

If I can only pick up a Chieftain ‘Gold’ Low ‘D’ my collection/quest is complete

Have a good weekend people

Hulbert

10

Pah I exclaim PAH!!

Due to UK’s inclement weather, Xmas post volume etc the Harper Low G has STILL not managed the journey from London to Leeds Hobgoblin

Needed a not quite so Low for something I have planned next week so today I picked up a very nice Shaw A instead

If anyone is interested in a Harper, Hobgoblin in Leeds, UK will have the Tuneable Harper Low G in stock shortly at £108.00 and amazingly they have a NEW Non Tuneable Engraved C Harper at £115.00 … contact Nick at the shop for details

Yes

NB: Other than being a regular customer I have no connection with Hobgoblin, just helping out anyone searching for the rare Harper whistle

Hulbert

('Silly little sniggers from the women liberators, but I’ll stand and hold my post,)