This weekend I made 2 Low D’s, this time used a bigger bore tube, and bigger holesizes (since I just bought a drill press).
Ok, maybe I just got too excited about my new drill press and made the soundholes a little (or a lot) too big…
I’m testing new things, first the fipple plug tabs (thanks Gary!), and they’re awesome, they make the whistle sound a lot better, more pure. Second, well, the bore size, 25mm ext. diam. and feels really better than the old 22mm. Bigger sound, better lower notes…
My plugs now have a rounded chamfer (at the windway floor end), which improves the sound a lot, too.
The bigger holes make the whistle sound louder too, but the breath requirements are actually lowered because of the new window size and blade design (thanks Paul!), and the second octave sounds a lot less airy.
Finally, I’m experimenting with polishing pastes, tripoli and rouge from a jeweler’s store. They are not very easy to work, but the results are very, very nice.
Oh I made the windway longer to increase the backpressure, too.
Ok, let’s go to the pics:
One of the whistles. The weird color is because of the lights, they’re actually normal aluminium color.
I made two different hole designs, both turned to be too big on the upper three notes.
The blades are a lot better than my last low D
The upper three holes are BIG, I know… but it won’t happen again
Bottom line: Things are getting a lot better. Sound is really improving. I have many tips and help from Pro’s, and a lot of new details to try and improve.
Will try to post a soundclip in the next few days if I can…
I see you have changed from a curved windway - it looks wonderful. Keep up the good work and keep us informed. I am following your progress and it just seems to get better and better.
Ian
The whistles look like works of art - I know you said the colour is from the light but it looks great!! I really enjoy seeing such craftsmanship and innovation. Looking forward to hearing the results.
I can’t get over how beautiful your whistles look. You really have a professional look of quality and sculptured design in your whistles. When you get the sound to match the looks I’m sure your whistles will become sought after instruments. Keep it up.
I didn’t forget about the soundclip, it’s just that I’m really bad playing the low whistle yet (I started to learn tin whistle just a couple of months ago) so I can’t really record anything myself But I’ll see if I can find someone else to record something to post
Cranberry:
Thanks for the compliment, I’ll tell her. She will be 15 years old next week, I think she looks pretty nice for her age
I couldn’t get a soundclip, the top three holes are too big and they can’t be covered easily. Also the breath difference betwen these holes and the three lower holes is too big. Especially in the second octave. So they’re discarded, going to the test-box with aaaall the other test whistles.
But no worries, I’m finishing a new one today or tomorrow, with smaller soundholes. And a new D Soprano, too.
I hope they’ll be soundclips of those
This is fun, I really enjoy making these things. Every one I made has it’s problems… but some day I’ll make a good one, I hope
But I’ll see if I can find someone else to record something to post 