Have you ever become so comfortable with one particular whistle that you always use it when learning new tunes; play it 90% of the rest of the time; begin thinking that you should get a second one, in case someone sits on it or the maker stops production; toyed with the idea of selling all of your other whistles because they are unnecessary when really concentrating on the music?
It’s been happening to me with my Burke Black Tip D. Or is this just a severely malignant case of WHOA, wherein I will begin amassing duplicates of my entire collection?
Ok, so I wouldn’t sell the O’Riordans…or the Copelands…but I’m serious about considering a second or backup black tip…one in the safe deposit box…one in the car…one in…
Send help - send Overtons - I don’t have any more - I miss them - whaaaa…
I’ve been wondering about this, too. Is whistle acquisition based on need, on desire, or simply on our ability to keep purchasing whistles because they are relatively inexpensive and we are such material people? My tuba player friends don’t buy extra tubas “in case;” I own only one hammered dulcimer; I have one spouse.
Is there such a thing as whistle monogamy?
And if there is, is it a good thing?
I just got a new Burke, too. And I’m feeling rather guilty about neglecting my old Jerry-tweaked Generation. The Burke is so responsive, so exciting, that I want to play it all the time. Then when I pull out my old faithful, I find I’ve forgotten how easily it lets the notes fly, and how much we’ve been through together.
It’s like falling in love with someone, then remembering that you were already married.
Of course, it’s only a whistle. Does that legitimize fickle fipple flirting as well as establishing relationships with new whistles whenever we want a change? Where does loyalty come in?
Since I got back from Maine with this Whitney Whistle I DO find myself suddenly wondering if I need another one. Like you said, just incase it gets sat on, stepped on, mysteriously falls apart, is abducted by the Crystal people… Tis the first time I have had this reaction so it is sort of freaking me out!!
I think part of my obcession is that it would not be that easy to get one. The guy doesn’t supply the shop with that many so its hit or miss.
I did indeed get it from Song of the Sea in Bar Harbour. We were on vacation there about a month ago and I spied the shop. First time I was ever in a place that not only HAD a selection of good whistles, but who actually let you try them too!! I picked up the Whitney and WOW. The owner told me they are made by a fella in Ellsworth who sails out of Bar Harbour. I guess he works on one of the fishing boats. He made the first one because he wanted a nice quiet whistle for himself. I guess he must have brought it in to show them at the shop and now makes a limited supply for them in his spare time. They have them on the website but there are no guarantees that they will have them in stock, so one may have to wait. Horrors!
I was told he has no intention of marketing them so there will most likely never be a Whitney Whistle website. “SOB”
Its a great whistle and very attractive. He has done this Celtic knot thing around the bottom of the mouthpiece that is a work of art…very detailed.
