Here’s a new-to-me whistle that deserves attention! Search eBay for seller MCTOOLS. He sells a tunable bamboo whistle that feels very good! Resistance is comfortable for a sax doubler. The tone is decidedly softer, not so loud, so good for practice.
The whistle comes with D and B-flat bodies, and he can make other keys as well. Initially, it’s a hair flat; I’m tempted to shorten the top of the body a bit. But solo, the intonation is acceptable. I do a lot of half-hole accidentals and rolls – very comfortable on this body.
Get 'em while they’re cheap. The construction is rough, but the whistle is musically sound.
For the moment (8/3/26) they sell for $10 bucks plus shopping – whistle with two bodies. This may not be your forever whistle, but for the price, it’s a bargain!
I picked up a Bamboo whistle at Knock On Wood years ago, it was nominally a Low G, a touch out of tune and the finish was also a bit ropey.
I tidied it up cosmetically, a friend carved out a couple of holes, taped over part of another couple to bring it in tune, and it was a very sweet blow.
Unfortunately the fipple plug which was cork, balsa or similar used to get very soggy and eventually disintegrated, my friend attempted to remove the block intending to make a plastic replacement, but the entire whistle split length ways while removing the original plug.
But the ones here with the plastic head shouldn’t have that issue, I may invest.
“Ropey” is the word for the look. The plastic protects the tip, but it is still a bamboo mp. The tuning tube is just that, it does seal and you can tune it. The reed is straight and uniform. I wouldn’t be shocked if it split. A bansuri addresses it with thread wrapped around the body.
My mistake I thought the whole mouthpiece was plastic.
I actually saw some more bamboo whistles in an ethnic arts gift shop last year, bit more sturdy than the one I killed off, better finish, but .. all six holes were exactly the same size
