I have a Generation whistle in C, which is very sharp on all notes (2nd octave being even sharper than the 1st).
Is there a way to flatten the tuning for this whistle? Will the fipple move easily without damage?
Thanks,
BrianC
I usually just step on my Generations when I want to flatten them. If that doesn’t work, running them over with your car will.
nyuk nyuk nyuk nyuk
The Generation C whistleheads are notoriously difficult to loosen. You may find it simply isn’t possible without damaging the head. I assume you’re trying the piping hot water bath technique. You can try boiling water and a pliers with something wrapped around the whistlehead to keep the pliers from marking it. I haven’t found that boiling water damages these.
Best wishes,
Jerry
Send them to war! Oh that type of generation.
MarkB
I know I shouldn’t be saying this - after all, I am one of those “makers” who aren’t supposed to be allowed to make jokes about other peoples’ whistles, but hey, I’m an owner, too, with two untweaked Gens… I think I’m entitled…
I find that a bandsaw removes the heads from Generations just fine.
serpent
5 replies, 1 of them somewhat helpful (I hadn’t considered hot water to loosen the glue, and will try it).
Otherwise, you whistlers have WAY too much time on your hands.
My thanks to Jerry Freeman!
I beheaded my Generation by dunking it headfirst a few times in a cup of hot water, then grip the head using a cloth so i didnt’ burn meself, a quick twist, and pop! it’s unglued. But as Jerry says, Generation Cs have a reputation for being tighter, so you may have to try harder.
The worst that can happen is breaking the original head, in which case you can get a whitecap from Mack Hoover for about US$20 and make it a good whistle. 
I think the answer to my Gen C too sharp trouble may be to contact Mr. Burke in Southern Illinois.
By Jove, Bloomy, you’re right!
Even my little econobox works pretty good!
BTW, I’ll soon be listing a slightly used Generation C on ebay… 
Or send it to Mack Hoover and get it back with a whitecap head. It won’t be a Generation anymore, but it will play pretty. Burkes are nice too, of course.
OutofBreath: You’re a man after my own heart. You understand what music is all about.
Yes!
Thanks. BTW, Did I hear someone ask how to flatten a cat?.. 
Hey, whaddya mean you whistlers!!! You’re one of us – get used to it!!!
Steven
Ahh, give him a break. He hasn’t been whistling long enough to suffer brain damage from oxygen deprivation so naturally he can’t relate to the rest of us yet…
I dunno… He’s got almost 200 posts, so he’s been around here enough!
Steven
On the pipers’ forum.
Yeah, but what are the pipes but just an overcomplicated high-tech whistle?
ducks and runs for cover 
Steven
The real question is, how do you flatten a set of uillean pipes?
Anyone? OutOfBreath?