This whistle is made from a South American blackwood called cocobolo, and has silver ferrules and tuning slide. The wood isn’t actually black, but a dark chestnutty red-brown with black grain streaks/stripes (Mike said with oiling over time it turns almost black). In size it is identical in length to the Overton low D, and the wall is thin guage and cylindrical, also the same diameter as the Overton, so if you’re used to the Overton it’s a straight conversion.
The airhole is gently curved following the line of the plug (a native Australian wood - Mike’s an Aussie). Therefore, a gentle “C” shape, same as the Rose high D.
First impressions: a work of art, begging to be played. Second impressions: a work of art, begging to be played. Ongoing impressions: a work of art…you get the picture!
With the tuning slide open by 1/4" it’s in tune and warms up very quickly. The accuracy is pretty well spot on across all 3 octaves - very impressive. The tone is beautifully strong and mellow, slight chiff, and with that wonderfully warm tone you get from wooden whistles. Cnat low octave needs fingering OXXOOO, but OXXXXO in the upper register.
The fipple is similar to the Rose/Susato design with a wooden sleeve (the Rose has a metal sleeve). My ideal would be to have it shaped a touch narrower, but no complaints.
Hole spacing is similar to the Overton, but for some reason I find the Grinter easier to seal - maybe because it’s wood.
I’ve only had it a day or two, but already I can say it is truly a master work (for me, a low D version of the Rose high D). And if the likes of Paddy Keenan, Sean Smyth, Kevin Crawford, etc are placing repeat orders with Mike it’s good enough for me! Now to get practising…
Nick
PS Mike doesn’t advertise his whistles as he’s a flute/recorder maker by trade and wants to keep it that way. However, if you ever the chance…
