Hey everyone–I own Dale Wisely’s Naked Black Splendor!! Now, before you get envious, read on:
I left my old Clarke Original D leaning peacefully against a rock in the middle of the Monongahela National Forest on a hiking trip–losing not only a good whistle but the chance to whistle in the woods by my tent all evening. (It was way too far behind to walk back for).
Weeks later, I bought another Clarke Original one night at a music store in Bloomington, but disappointingly, I found I had bought (yes, and played) a C instead of a D! Bummer.
Still, when I got home I asked my wife for some nail polish remover, to take those disgusting gold diamonds off. I had heard, on this excellent board, that the black paint is much tougher than the gold paint. My wife, seeing my faltering attempts and worried about nail polish remover on the furniture, took over and removed all the gold diamonds and stripes without harming the old fashioned trademark or the C.
Beautiful!
So, don’t be afraid! You too can own Dale Wisely’s naked black splendor for your very own!!
(even if it is in C, darn it!!)
Nope! It will easily be spotted as a fake. Didn’t the naked black splendor have a more contemporary script for the Clarkes logo?
Very cool though. I like it.
Feadoggie
…but here you have the best of both worlds! The absence of gold diamonds,and the old fashioned trademark! Definitely superior to the short-lived factory model!
Which store? As a former Bloomingtonian myself, I’m just curious.
Actually, I don’t remember the name of the store, but it was one block west of the main downtown square. They don’t have many whistles, just Clarke Originals, a Meg, a Generation or two or and Oak. They didn’t let me toot any of them, because of “state law,” he said. I didn’t know Indiana government involved itself in the unauthorized tooting of whistles. But I expected the “No,” just thought I’d try anyway.
That would be Smith-Holden music store most likely - just downhill from the square on 5th St, past the Irish Lion if my memory is correct. I don’t miss IU, but I do miss Bloomington - my hometown!
Deisman
Must be one of those silly old laws that were never removed despite being obsolete, like the one that says you can’t open an umbrella in the street for fear of spooking horses. 
Possibly, West, but it sounds more to me like one of those recent laws inspired by fear-ridden people who actually believe they can keep themselves free of germs if they’re careful enough (just like their TV advertizers taught them)!
I miss I.U. often, Deisman, because I went to college there and met my wife of 30 years (going on 31!) in the Teter Quadrangle basement laundry room! And, Bloomington is classy enough to have SOME whistles!
Riverman, did that golden stuff come off easily?
I got my first whistle about two weeks ago (Dixon Trad) and I love its sound. Now I’m thinking about buying Bill Och’s tutor seeing that my laptop gives me trouble with various online tutors.
In the beginning I was thinking about buying the set including a Clarke Original. Truth be told, the golden diamonds put me off. I’m wondering what they were thinking when creating this design…
Unfortunately a set including a Clarke Original natural is not available - this would definately my favorite combination.
The prices for the book/CD or book/CD/whistle don’t differ too much in my country. Reason: all-inclusive sets are available; the book/CD-only version needs to be imported. Add taxes and duty fees and the non-whistle set turns out to be the most expensive. 
Yes. Just put some nail polish remover (I suspect acetone might work just as well) on a piece of cloth or tissue paper and you can literally wipe it off. Actually it comes off so easily it’s almost as if they expect people to want to get rid of it 
I played only clarkes for my first few years of whistle playing mainly because that’s all that was available locally. I played them all so much that the diamonds just wore off naturally after awhile. I did purchase a few of the “naked black splendor” models when they were out. They were printed silver on black rather than gold, had no diamonds and used a hand-written stlye of font rather than the classic one they’re back to now. I’m not sure why they discontinued making those, they looked much sharper than the gold diamonds.
I’ve found that the acetone also works for taking the clear coat finish off of cheapies such as Generations and Waltons (I strip them becuase once the fingers wore through the finish they made a mess of the toneholes and peeled constantly). Of course, the brass “antiques” much quicker so only do it if you like the “well loved” look on your whistles.
I agree. Somewhere on this board - or was it on the chiff&fipple homepage? - I read a note from Dale saying the stopped production for they didn’t sell as much as the diamond version. Imagine that! 
West, I think you just caused a bad outbreak of WhOA… 
Tikva, My wife took those gold diamonds and the little gold lines off in about five minutes–leaving the trademark and the little gold “C”. It did not hurt the black paint even a tiny bit. And Clarke whistles, in my opinion, are the most photogenic (when they’re in your mouth) because they’re black and conical. And, we all know, looks ARE important!!
By the way, do buy that tutor book and whistle. When I bought Grey Larsen’s “The Tin Whistle Toolbox” with the CDs that go with it, it helped me SO much! If you can’t sit around and listen in on sessions, this is a giant step up for anyone. Go for it!
So riverman and west send me on the downward-spiralling path of WhOA.
You’re right riverman, looks ARE important. That’s why some whistles will probably never make it to my home. Unless the have other gratifying attributes. Afterall looks are NOT everything.
Funny, your wife did exactly the things to your whistle I planned to do on mine. Must be a female thing.
You’re welcome 
Yes, you’re welcome!!