The other day, I was learning the Dusty Windowsill, and was quite proud of my progress after only a few hours. The song wasn’t perfect, but it sure didn’t stink either. In any case, I was telling a few folks about it, and was asked for a sound clip.
My Silkstone (whistle of choice) was packed away from band practice, and so I threw my hand in the whistle drawer, and came away with my Walton’s Guinness whistle. I whipped out a quick clip, and sent it off.
Since then, I’ve listened to the tune a few more times, and the more I do, the more I realize that I really like the sound of this whistle. But I’d have never known if I hadn’t made a recording using it. While not the cheapest of the cheap, they’re definitely in the ‘low rent’ category.
Chiffy, bright, and metallic sounding, with a bit of rawness in the tone, this whistle has a lot of things I normally don’t like in a whistle..but on this one, they seem to all work together to make a fine sound. Perhaps this is the kind of thing folks really enjoy when they have a “good” Generation. I’m gonna take it to session today, and see how it stands up in a small group.
I got this whistle over a year ago as a gift (though I did sit on the original, and have to replace it through The Whistle Shop) and only played it a couple of times before being stuck in the whistle drawer. Now I kinda feel like I have a new whistle to toodle on for a while! I guess it can pay to keep an open mind/ear..
Yeah, These cheap ones can suprise you,
We got my Walton Mellow D about a month ago.
When I first got it ,It played ..Ummmm…Badly dosnt quite describe it…ummm Imagine two cats in a burlap sack going at each other. After doing serious structual changes to the fipple with assorted
devices ( Dremel heads, small files, razor knives and a ball peen hammer)It now sounds real nice. Even tone throughout the whole 2 octave range. My Clark also recieved the same .ummmmmm “precision (Heheh)treatment”
And also is more stable. Although it looks a bit banged up.
Dan
Graphic Guy–
What exactly did you do to your Waltons D? That was my first whistle and is now my least favorite because it squeaks and shrieks most of the time. I’d like to fix it. My Waltons brass C is VERY nice, so I’d like to make the D sound better, if it’s at all possible.
IMHO, Waltons are the best cheap whistles. Both my brass D and my little black are great. (I have to admit, though, that I play my Dixon most of the time.) However, I had a Waltons C that was a lemon.
Waltons sometimes have some extra plastic bits in the fipple, which can cause squeaking. Cees, check for that. If you see any, just remove them with a small razor knife.
Do the search for bits of plastic in the fipple. Then place the whistle in a cup of Hot Water. After a wait of 35 seconds or so
(Make sure the ISNT boiling..After pulling it out of the microwave let it sit for 20 seconds or so) this will soften the glue holding it to the brass tube. Pull the fipple OUT about 5mm and test the sound
If it sounds on key mark the place with an awl or a punch…Just a small scratch line will do it. Now ..Take off the fipple completely, Using emery cloth..(I used a razor knife NOT RECOMMENDED LOL).Lightly bevel the BOTTOM of the blade,Then slightly round the edge of the blade, Make ALL your changes and adjustments small. Keep in mind that it may just not play well no matter what you do. My Mellow D had a bump on the blade..I also removed that with a file, The next step is to purchase an LCD Tuner, If you have perfect pitch ( I dont) you can forget the tuner. Now its time to resize the holes and to check that the holes are placed correctly. Measure the distance between the center of the fipple window and the bottom of the whistle. Ummmmmmmm wait a sec. How much work are you willing to do on this ?
Dan
I don’t want to do TONS of work, I don’t have very many tools, and I’m afraid of totally ruining it. It does play fairly well, but does have some squeaks, etc. and will wig out on me for no reason and refuse to play certain notes sometimes.
If I could just get rid of the squeaks with a little work, that would be cool. I’ve never tried tweaking a whistle before because I’ve been afraid to totally ruin them.
Thanks for the advice
[ This Message was edited by: Cees on 2002-02-03 20:13 ]
I have a Generation F that actually sounds really really good. IMHO though. I don’t have any expensive whistles to compare it too, but it sounds a lot better than the other 8 cheapo whistles I have.
