Hi all:
I have been reading this site for months, and thoroughly enjoy it. Now I have a question.
I have modified and tweaked all my whistles as per suggestions on this board. (I have WHOA) I have interchanged all my fipples, rammed wads of butyl tape into them, removed extra bits of plastic from them (ruined a couple),and faired (without enlarging) all the tube orifices (orifii?). I have flung(flang?)/blown/mopped all the moisture/condensation/spit/sweat out of the fipples & tubes, regularly but I can’t get any of them to play consistently in tune in the upper octave. Increasing air flow helps, but it also makes them louder, and living as I do on a sailboat with my very understanding wife, this is somewhat of a concern. (I am a bit deaf, but she isn’t, and would prefer not to become so.) I am attracted to the Hoover traditional and narrow bore whistles, and I asked Thom at the Whistle Shop about intonation. He was very helpful, but suggested that I also ask the folks here. So, I’m asking. Any information would be great, and thank-you.
I’ve made no secret of my love for the Hoover Narrow Bore D. If you worry about volume, it wouldn’t deafen (that word looks wrong - did I just invent one?) a visually impaired flea. About it’s only weakness is that it takes a lot of practice to consistently hit the bell note. As for upper octave intonation, it certainly seems consistent to me, although I have neither perfect pitch nor the inclination to play with a tuner constantly on the whistle.
It seems to met that softer quieter whistles can be more influenced by wind. On a sail boat that could be a problem. Especially if the whistle is one piece. I have a Burke tunable narrow/medium bore composite. In the wind I can turn the mouthpiece 180 degrees and play in a slight breeze. It has a hemispherical windway that reduces clogging.
Its made of composite that is strong and won’t react with the salt sea air. It is my working practice whistle because its easy to play and doesn’t clog. It is also very pleasant second octave, with less of a volume diferrential. It sounds reasonably in tune in the second octave, enough so I can play along with a CD’s fiddle player. Its not as quiet as the hoover, but its a lot quieter than any of my other whistles.
I know I mentioned it but, it bears repeating this is a very easy whistle to play and sounds great.
Hope this help the sailing whistler, so you can …
While I do believe that Mack Hoover is capable of making very nice whistles (my friend Terry has a superb CPVC one of Mack’s), I feel it is my duty here to report that there is inconsistency and I have played a couple that were not in tune with themselves. Mack took tham back and was extremely gracious. Buying a whistle of his is definitely a chance worth taking, especially at the low, low prices.
Jessie
I have the Hoover Brass Traditional Bore, and it’s my favorite whistle. It’s plenty loud to fulfill my solo playing needs, and quiet enough to play without disturbing anyone in the next door. What I like best is the sweet, beautiful sound! It’s never shrill in the second octave, and I have found that shrillness to be what “captive” listeners dislike the most. Come to think of it, maybe I should get a spare…
My Hoover CPVC is great, great, great! It’s my “go-to” D whistle. Sweet sound, nice volume, wonderfully in tune through both octaves. My only complaint is that the windway clogs with moisture, a problem I’ve never had on my other whistles, even my Clarkes!
Tom
Hey Peter,
I have Hoovers in the narrow bore, traditional bore and cpvc and they are all wonderful whistles. The quietest is the narrow bore and it has an EXTREMELY clean sweet tone. When I play it I know I won’t disturb anyone. However, it’s not for playing when any significant volume is needed. The Trad. bore is louder and the cpvc is louder still, but all of them have an absolutely beautiful tone. They are visually very pleasing, even the cpvc! They will force you to improve your breath-control though. I like to call them “gentlewhistles.”
Mack’s whistles are completely hand made so there is bound to be some variation as with any craft- or art-work. But Mack will gladly work with you if there is something about a whistle that displeases you, even to refunding. So you really can’t lose. Mack’s whistles are even starting to be favorably recognized in the professional trad. community.
So if you want a whistle with beautiful tone that you can play without disturbing anyone, I’d suggest the Hoover narrow bore.
Take care,
Vinny
[ This Message was edited by: Vinny on 2001-09-20 10:08 ]
Thanks everyone for the help. Your endorsements of the whistles and particularly your endorsements of Mack Hoover (both here and in other posts) have reassured me that I can’t go wrong with a Hoover whistle. Thom has by now received my order for a narrow bore, and I await in eager anticipation, its arrival. I am hoping that the quality leap will cure my WHOA.
I also appreciate the idea of turning the fipple (on plastic fipple whistles) over in the wind. I read that before on this site, and use it while kayaking. It works too. But my volume concerns are mostly while we’re below.
I’m also a stop light practicer. I now quite enjoy my commutes, but I keep the sunroof closed so as not to offend, or alternatively play only easy stuff in the car, so that I don’t embarrass myself. I get to work early and am usually (briefly) alone in the parkade where even an inexpensive whistle sounds wonderful. (Innisheer and Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair are my favourite parkade aires.) I can’t wait to try a quality instrument there.
TUUGAALIK - Inuit word for Narwhal, a small whale found in the artic whose two top teeth protrude through its upper lip to form a spiral tusk. (Sometimes called the unicorn of the sea.) It is also the name of our boat which has a bow-sprit which, when we first saw her, instantly brought the narwhal to mind.
Just thought you might be curious.
Hey Peter, when you get your Hoover narrow bore would you email me with your thoughts? It’s probably going on my Christmas list. =)
Thanks!
–Beth
Hi Beth.
I’d be happy to. I’ll also put something on this post.