I thought I would share this with everyone, as I don’t see much about Dave’s whistles.. When I first started with the whistle I bought a Parkhurst in D. It is without a doubt one of the prettiest whistles around. Anyway,I had a problem with the fipple,which was corrected imeadiatly and returned.
As I become a better player I find that I reach for this whistle more and more. It has a very clear and pure tone,more so than it’s cost would suggest…
So as you go about indulging in the quest for the perfect whistle keep Mr. Parkhurst in mind.thanx Dave,and no I won’t sell it back to you…
Hey,
I have two of his high D whistles, both of different designs. But for the first time, I picked up one of these whistles and finally experienced the copper flavor, for the first time. Then, to add to it, I started to make my own whistles out of copper, and the taste lasted into the next day (I apologize if that is “too much information”), because I had to keep testing the mouthpiece. Anyway, after much teethbrushing, the flavor was still there. How does one get rid of it, or how can one keep it from happening? Let me emphasize that it was more my constant testing of my copper whistle I was making, and not so much Dave’s whistle, that gave me the bad taste. JP
I have had Parkhurst D and C for some time. They’re pretty and are respectable whistles. But being made of copper, they are very sensitive to temperature changes. They need to be warmed up before they are properly playable. Plus, mine seem to clog quite often.
I play in a church with very cold air-conditioning, and am on another instrument most of the time. So my whistles are lying around getting cold awaiting their turn on just a few tunes. I need to be able pick them up and play them immediately without warmup and without them clogging from condensation. I find I can’t do that with the Parkhursts. I play primarily polymer/plastic whistles in church.
But that’s just me; needing no-warmup whistles.
You also need to get used to the weight and balance of the things, because they are much heavier than plastic and Generation whistles. They are also heavier than the Burke brass I once tried.
I wanted to write to the other thread and mention Dave Parkhurst whistles in the “semi expensive thread” but was not sure about it as I would not call myself being a whistle player but knowing what I like in a whistle I guess it is still o.k. to give my 2 cents 
so… ehm… where was I? Ah Ja! There is a Parkhurst High D with an extra High G body in our house. I had the chance to play her in the last week quite a lot (Tony, I actually managed to get the last part of the “March” under my belt now
It is the first copper whistle I came across and I find it Very nice looking. I had no problems with tasting as Dave and John mentioned. It is a strong little whistle, good tuning, not too loud but not quiet and I think well balanced through the octaves, not piercing in the high end. I like the breath pressure required to play it. It is not a generation-type whistle from the breathing but very controllable and it does not jump or bump back unexpected in the octaves. Being used to warm up a whistle before I start playing there is not much of a problem for me and the weight is not either as it lays good in the hands. All in all I find a nice little whistle and also was surprised that it is not mentioned here that much. Enjoy your day
Brigitte
BTW the High G is also good, I expected it to be very loud and shrill but surprisingly it is not.
They are a little on the heavy side…so,I clip a Susato thumb rest on mine and it becomes light as a feather..
My Parkhurst Copper Eb is a wonderful instrument, which I enjoy as much as my fabulous Eb WaterWeasel. I understood that Dave Parkhurst had learned at least some of his craftsmanship from Glenn Schultz who generously shares his knowledge and skills with others. So, I tried a whistle from Dave, and I’m glad I did. He has learned well and I’m sure Glenn would be proud. Parkhurst was a pleasure to deal with as well. No problems, and the Parkhurst copper whistle is a very interesting addition to my whistle portfolio.
I still think that Dave’s whistles deliver some of the best finger vibrato of any I have. --JP