This is a review of a whistle which Bill Whedon sent me immediately before Christmas.
This “alto A” whistle is of brass and copper with a brush finish and is visually striking. The blade has a slight curve a bit similar to an Alba. The block is of white polymer. The whistle has good heft and large tone holes, has moderate resistance, takes little air, and has good projective volume and balance between the octaves.
This whistle is much purer in tone than much of Bill’s recent work, and the breathiness in the tone is all but gone.
The whistle is stable from the first blow and doesn’t require warming up. Clogging problems are virtually gone.
I think the reduction of breathiness, the dramatic lowering of the air requirement while keeping good resistance, and the balance between the octaves will make this whistle appeal to a wide variety of players.
One minor quibble: the high “G” (actually a D since this is an A whistle) has a slightly different timbre than its neighbors. This is not a major complaint by any means.
Excellent, fun, stable whistle!–I’ve been playing it frequently, and loving every minute of it.
Well done James.
Bill had asked if he could use the method I use for the blade and windway cutting, I said yes with my Blessing.
Glad to see you got the Q1 you was wanting
Happy new year to you
I don’t want this to turn into a habit, but Bill asked me to post what he sent to Stacey. It seems harmless enough so here it is.
Heya, Stacey! Happy New Year!
I don’t have a hog mill, luv. I make do with end mills and a fixture. Now, if yer was to get a hog mill and have your local sharp’nin’ shop profile the cutters a wee bit, yer could do away wi’ the curve in the blade, an’ no file-work into the bargain! That’s where I’m heading. Makes the octave jumps more stable, and gets rid of another bit of the “whooshy” echo. That’s the part where Paul Busman’s idees comes inter play! I’m just still rampin’ up to getting the hog mill profiled for 3/4" OD tube. Already did it on the Sweet Polly line, to be announced formally next week or so. If yer on me mailin’ list, ye’ll hear all about it. Just send me an email and let me know you want in!
Cheers, luv,
Bill Whedon
Serpent Music
With incredible thanks to Randy Orman for posting this - I hope…
Okay. That’s all I’m doing this month. He’s a nice guy, but I don’t even understand what he’s talking about, anyhow.
Happy New Year,
Randy Orman
