Because of the post regarding whether Burkes have curved windways, I of course, starting looking at all my whistles to see which had curved windways; a notable exception was my Parkhurst copper D/C set. I tend to just look at this whistle - it’s gorgeous - copper with a worthy patina, musical notes, floral patterns, and my first name (on C barrel) and initials (head joint) etched into it. Then I played it and I remembered that I love the way it sounds as well. So here’s to Dave Parkhurst, aka Parky.
I write this because I am cognizant of the fact that both the list of makers and C&Fers has changed since I began here and sometimes it’s good to remember.
There are so many new makers out there today, many terrific, that the talk on the Board seems to be mostly about them.
When I started, the high end makers included basically Abell, Copeland, O’Riordan, Overton, with the seemingly endless debate regarding Chieftains at the time. There were the same group of cheapies and some guys in between like Parky.
I remember when I started. Glenn Schultz was still making Weasels. And a tuneable high D Water Weasel was US$70. I still have one.
First whistle was a Freeman tweaked Sop D Sweetone. Still have it.
Second Whistle, a Freeman Tweaked Shaw Sop D. Still have it.
My third whistle was a vintage O’Brien nickel plated copper Sop D. Easy blowing like a water main and chiffier than a tugboat. I think about US$30 with shipping. Still have that.
Fourth whistle was a Sop D Water Weasel. Lovely whistle. Still have one. Twas then I learned what the good stuff was.
My very first high end whistle was a Thin Weasle cocobolo D that I still have; Glenn was always sending boxes of whistles for selection - life was tough in those days - trying to pick the best of an unbelievable batch of whistles made by Glenn!
I still have my original Thin Wasel ($125 at the time) which ultimately led me to a friendship with Glenn and to making whistles. As a bonus, it’s case got autographed by Joanie Madden somewhere along the years. I keep it down in my shop and pull it out for inspiration once in a while, toot a few notes. Still plays killer good..
