I have a new Thin Weasel. As many of you know they are quite loud. This would be a perfect whistle for me to use as a “roving minstrel” at our upcoming ren-faire.
The question is. Since the temperature will probably be in the high 80’s and low 90’s and humid. Could that damage my lovely, expensive whistle?
No. I asked the same question on the fluteboard
about my lovely, expensive blackwood flute
and was assured by several, including the
maker, not to fear. Apparently
oiling the whistle before the event
is a good idea.
I don’t have a wooden whistle, but if I think about buying one, how about this:
It sometimes gets as hot as 114 up here in TX, and we frequently have summers with two or three months in a row where the temperature hovers above 100. This is murder on an acoustic guitar, particularly in areas like Houston, where it stays in the 90s but is much more humid. Would these continuous stressors be a problem?
Hey Geek, (and I mean that in the nicest way possible 
If you’re worried, why not use a plastic whistle like a Dixon or something? Those look like wood.
Aaron,
I live in North Carolina and our summers are pretty lousy (just to see how bad it gets, I got a thermometer/hydrometer in my room and it stays in the 80s with humidity in the mid-70s to low 80s for weeks on end, even paper starts to get soggy). Our winters aren’t too great either with the temps in the 60s-70s and humidity as low as the teens at times. So far my fiddles don’t seem to mind as long as they aren’t shocked too much, big sudden swings in temp/humidity are what seem to cause the biggest ills. I keep them out (hanging in front of my stereo speakers…different thread) so they don’t get used to the micro-climate of a closed case.
I think the biggest concern would be any parts that wouldn’t expand and contract like the wood. I can’t think of any parts on a whistle like that. In the summer, I have to loosen up my chinrest so it doesn’t crush the expanding fiddle body, sometimes there are those that will get a summer and a winter soundpost put in.
Briefly: Don’t think there’s a problem, whistles are a heckuvalot tougher than the devil’s box.
PC
PS–In case you were wondering, I live in an un-insulated brick house with a black roof…
Weather wise, you’re probably OK if the whistle is well oiled. Some woods will change color with time, especially in response to UV light so playing outdoors will hasten this.
I’d worry more about the dangers of playing in a crowd with people jostling you, etc. If you drop the Weasel, you will chip the finish and if someone happens to then step on it…
If you do this type of playing frequently, consider a Water Weasel, which plays very much like a Thin Weasel, but is LOTS more durable.
Thanks for the tips.
Hey Geek, (and I mean that in the nicest way possible >
Someday I’ll have to get this name changed. 
People are always concerned about offending me. Actually I don’t bite the heads off chickens. I bite the heads off hemidemisemiquavers.
The reasons I wanted to use this instead of another were the the volume and costs. At the price these baby’s cost it’s a waste not to use it.
Brewerpaul, thanks for the tips even though I purchased a competitor.
So in any event here’s the final decision. I’m returning it to Elderly’s.
Yes I’m taking the TW back. They’ll take it back minus a 10% restocking fee. I ordered a Burke Brass Pro Session D, I’m going to pick up a Water Weasel and my Serpent with the new head is on it’s way. I’ll be all set.
Hm, this would need some explaining in a ren faire setting, I assume They plumbing code could be re-interpreted as magic runes, of course. Or will you get burned for witchcraft then?
Hm, this would need some explaining in a ren faire setting, I assume They plumbing code could be re-interpreted as magic runes, of course. Or will you get burned for witchcraft then?
Actually I’ll tell people I came from the legendary land of Pol Y Mer. Where the 5th element has been discovered.
Actually I can’t imagine that the air would be more humid than human breath (especially mine). But it’s built to have humid air go thru it.
Blackhawk with this wisdom…that is one pretty steamy micro-climate inside the whistle, and it comes on with shock too.
PC
Come to Eastern Nebraska in late July, early August. It will help your imagination. A nice day of 105deg temp with 98% humidity should do the trick. Any of our fine southern states at the same time of year will have a similar efffect but with more scenery and shade.
Just don’t come now since the area that has been hit with the most tornados over the last 25 years is 60 miles from my house. Hasn’t exactly been the best week for avoiding them, but we’ve been lucky. My heart and prayers go out to those affected by the recent bouts with twisters. I’ve been in that boat before and never want to ride it again.
You might ask Live the Question via PM. He’s right across the state line from me and has an impressive bunch of wood’uns
Mark V.
Been there, done that. And there’s no comparison to the inside of my mouth, moisture-wise.
For protection from UV damage you could use the “new” border wallpaper with “post-it” adhesive. It can be applied to the exterior and removed without damage later. This comes in a rainbow of designs and colors. You could also give the outside a coat of good wax and then apply some “gold/silver” leaf. Metal leaf is fairly cheap and easy to remove from a waxed surface with a mild wax solvent.
I keep an oil “swab” attached to a wooden cleaning rod in a sheath at the Ren Faire. A single swab after each set is sure to protect the wooden pipe from too much moisture.
This way you protect your treasure from the inside and outside. The only other alternative I know is a good painting with hot beeswax/alcohol, 50/50 mix, but this will still let UV light through.
As for getting “jostled”, attach a braided leather lanyard to hang around your neck, like a Sax or Bassoon player wears. If you drop the whistle it will just hang from your neck and not fall into the muck!.
Thomas Hastay.