October update

Whistle
1

A commercial in black and white.
And shades of gray.
If I did faq’s, number one could possibly be: What’s the difference between a Whitecap and a Blacktop except the color and the silly names?
I’ll devote my entire commercial this month to the answer. Will it answer to everyone’s satisfaction? No, because I’ll never be satisfied with my answers.

  1. The price. Because it takes more time to make a Blacktop. I have to go from solid stock, boring, turning,
    sanding and polishing until it has the look and sound that PVC and CPVC tubings start out with.

  2. The sound. It’s reasonably easy to get a similar sound from either. I kinda think it may be a joke that the darker material sounds “darker” . It is true that someone said that so I quote that though I don’t remember who said it.

  3. Moisture clogging. It’s true that typically Delrin is less prone to the condensation that beads up and causes clogging. It has something to do with surface tension. There has been lots of discussion on that subject. Maybe some science minded soul will take that one on. I usually make the fipple plug for a Whitecap from white Corian. It’s relatively free of that problem, but sometimes if that doesn’t solve the problem I will use white Delrin (Acetal plastic). That makes it virtually the same as a Blacktop.

  4. The size. Either can be used on just about any tube in any key. It may be necessary to send me the preferred tube or barrel for an acceptable fit or retrofit.

  5. My choice. If that matters, I prefer a Whitecap. There probably isn’t a need to explain it; that’s just the way it is. My wife likes the looks of the black better. We agree on most things.

I’ll be glad to add to this list should anyone make suggestions. These are questions I answer for many inquiries, and am willing continue to answer each time. I just thought I’d take up some space for this month’s update.

Mack

2

Thanks! I always wondered and glad to hear it from the maker’s own words. :slight_smile:

3

Glad to see that you and your wife agree on most things. Now - is that most of the time? My wife and I seem to go through seasons - sometimes agreeing on very little and other times most things also. (This is when I try to do my whistle purchases!)

4

Mack, do they both have a brass insert? My Whitecap does, but I thought I read that the Blacktop doesn’t.

Thanks,
Jason

5

Jason,
The brass insert is only on request. They tend to tarnish and make the joint stick unless you keep them clean and lightly oiled.

Mack

6
  1. The blacktop looks stinkin’ cool on a maple barrel. :smiley:

Tom