Has anybody tried the line of synthetic whistles from Mid-East Mfg? I don’t know what they are like, but this is the same outfit that imports the cane whistles and the brass whistles from India. These too are made in India. They come in A, Bb, C, F, and low D, and are made of wood-grained plastic. They run USD$8 for high whistles, $10 for alto, and $14 for low D.
I’ve only played the brass ones… which left something to be desired. Some have given favorable reports about individual ones of the cane whistles, from time to time, at least for practice.
I’m not planning to buy one in the foreseeable future, but had noticed them in the catalog, and wondered if anyone else had tried these.
This direct link worked for me in Netscape and IE. If it doesn’t for you, just go to http://www.mid-east.com and click on “Storefront” and then “Wind” and then “Flutes & Whistles,” or else type whistle synthetic in a search box.
One of my favorite whistles is a brass low A whistle from parts east. It’s got a lovely reedy sound and solid tuning. Plays effortlessly, and it only cost me about 6 dollars.
Of course, when I got it home and tried it, I went back and tried every other whistle in the batch, and they were duds. I bought the best of the Bb flats, but it wasn’t the same.
I haven’t tried the synthetic ones, but I have played their cane whistles.
I’ve liked them (the cane ones) ever since you introduced me to them a couple years ago.
Some are bad, some are super, but most are playable and decentish. They are especially good for low whistles because the cost under $15 for a cane low whistle.
I have been thinking of buying a brass or two from here to see if I can tweak them well. They look to be well constructed, but they devote 1/2 of their add space to convince me that a little out of tune is OK… :roll:
