Some whistle makers sell bodies or heads that fit heads or bodies made by other whistle makers. I recently, as an experiment, made a two piece body for my Water Weasel. I am really happy with the way it turned out, because it allows me to easily carry my Weasel in my shirt pocket.
My two questions for you:
I am not sure how to contact Mr Schultz’s family to ask permission to sell these bodies and whether it is necessary. The thinweasel.com website has been shut down. What do you think?
I see no difference between this and any other after-market product. I can reupholster my couch and resole my shoes. I have put Hoover Whitecaps on Generation tubes. We all have the right to tinker with our property.
I think it just reaffirms what a great craftsman Mr Schultz was.
This is a bit different though, because David is wanting to sell them. I’d agree with David’s original thought and try to get an OK from the family first - simply out of respect.
If you can’t get hold of the family through Cyril’s contact, you might try Paul Busman as a second option.
I have been making three piece whistles like this for some time. There are a number of folks who have made additional bodies for Water Weasels. None of them are offered on a commercial basis as far as I know. Your questions are good ones, and could elicit some interesting responses.
Glenn’s daughter, Bree, is a member of this board, using the ID Weasel Maid. You could try to contact her through C&F. I would think that it is good form to ask permission first. Many fans of the Weasels hope that the brand will one day be reintroduced by the family.
Can’t say exactly. I would think you have already inadvertantly made your market entry though, just by bringing the subject up. As I said above, several people already make finger tubes but they are not selling them commercially.
One thing you should also consider. Based on a number of Glenn’s whistles that I own/have owned, the tenons on a particular key are not made to an exact size. They tend to hover around a measurement. You would have to have the head or existing body in hand to match a new tube to the head for the best fit.
I would also think it would be in good form to mark any such tubes so they are not confused with Glenn’s work.
Glenn made really good whistles. He shared much of what he knew freely too. Many whistlesmiths stand on his shoulders.
Thanks, Feadoggie, you’ve answered my third question before I could ask it: whether the slide diameters on D Weasels are uniform. Paul Busman sent a PM with the same information.
Both your concern and consideration for the family are admirable, but I don’t see any ethical problem with marketing a supplemental product like a replacement tube. For any whistle made by anyone.
There would be a problem with misrepresenting the new tube as an original Schultz, but that’s obviously not your intent. You probably would label or inscribe the tube, so I can’t see how anyone could be confused if it were to be resold.
Water Weasels were still around when I decided to learn to play the whistle – wish I had been smart enough to buy one then. Must have been one of the best bargains on the planet.
