Okay so I got a Hoover narrow bore- its looks great, it sounds great- but I have one problem. I clog that poor little whistle with so much spit that I can hardly finish a a tune which makes me sad because i really like it otherwise… The clogging problem is a problem I have had before with whistles- in fact that is probably the main reason why I always play Susatos, because they are the only whistles that I manage not to clog… (I guess I am just a spitty whistle player) Anyway Mack said I could exchange the narrow bore for another whistles if I wanted to when I first ordered my little whistle… so I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about his regular bore whistle or his CPVC whistles… mainly I want to know about clogging and tone, and any other other nuggets of info you all may have
-Angela
It helps to warm up the whistle before playing. Water vapor (from your breath) tends to condense on cold surfaces. Also, clear out the windway after each tune.
I have both the narrow-bore and the regular bore. I definitely clog the narrow bore much more frequently than the regular bore. The sound is very similar, except of course the regular bore is louder.
I don’t have any non-brass ones, so I can’t comment on those.
Hope that helps.
Tery
You can try the dish soap trick (run soapy water through it then donm’t rinse it). That works for my Hoover regular bore pretty well. I need to re-do it about once a week. Mack also suggests one of those car windshield products called Rain Slick that he applies inside the windway with a thin bamboo reed. I haven’t tried it.
Hi
I also recently recieved my Hoover and have noticed that I clog it less and less as time goes by. When I first took it out, it clogged almost instantly. But now I can play for ten minutes or so without the whistle clogging on me at all (this is without warming it up, though that can help). I think I just had to adjust to a new whistle. Give it some time. Every whistle seems to have its own pecularities. If you stick with it, I 'm sure you won’t regret the purchase of a Hoover.
Micah
Hey!
I had the same problem with my regular bore Hoover Brass. It sounded awesome but all I did was clog it. Same problem you are having…and I tried all the “tricks” and nothing helped. Soooo…I sold it. And then really missed it for its wonderful sound.
So when Mack started to offer the WhiteCaps I decided to try one. In case you don’t already know this..the WhiteCap is the traditional Hoover brass tube with a PVC head that Mack has customed designed. I was telling Blackbeer that this whistle is the best of both worlds of Hoover whistles!!! It has all the sweetness and easy playability of the brass whistle…BUT..IT DOES NOT CLOG!!! I can get through a good many tunes before I even think of givin it a shake. PLUS…it is a great looking whistle. The Whitecap mouthpiece really add this touch of class…very handsome!
I would go for the Whitecap!!! You will be so pleased…trust me…
Cheers!..Andrea
Andrea is completely accurate in her assessment of the Whitecap - a truly marvelous instrument…Mack’s CPVC whistles have mouthpiece/headjoints similar to the Whitecap, and they do not clog easily, either…
I also own a non-tunable aluminum set of Hoovers, with Corian plugs. No problem with clogging, at all…Just in case, however, I always do the soap bit…extra insurance…
Cheers,
Byll
Okay- so Mack is a really cool guy- he sent me a Whitecap since I was having trouble with the Narrow bore, and I got it today. You all were right- it is a really nice whistle- Its a bit louder, but still with a very clear, sweet tone and it doesn’t clog! It plays so easily and so sweetly that even my roommates asked me to play them a jig on it (And my roommates usually would prefer not hearing me play- they are the reason why I bought the Hoover in the first place) Its a fabulous instrument- very good looking- All around lovely, lovely, lovely- I cannot say enough good things about it. I am one Happy camper, and Mack is awesome for working with me through all of this.
-Angela
I think hoovers are on my short list of possible next whistles.
My hohner has been clogging up the same way. I measured the windway on my ruler and it’s less than 1/16". I just tried the soap method and it’s drying as we speak..
The dish soap thing works on my HNB, I just dipped it in the new soapy water then put it in the rack upside down to dry. No more clogging. Still having trouble with the squeeking though, my fingering is sloppy most likely.