I have a one-off narrow bore Serpent B-flat “Village Viper” that Bill sent me and I’ve lived with for several days now.
The bad news first: it’s a one-off. He’s already decided he’s not going to make anymore like it.
That’s a shame. This thing has rapidly become one of my most prized whistles. There are a few whistles that I keep very handy, and this is quickly becoming one of my most frequently reached-for whistles.
He got everything right on this one. The sound is lovely, although be warned that those looking for a pure toned whistle probably wouldn’t care for it. The sound is like a high-end Clarke, a little breathy but not too much. The volume is moderately low, even into the third octave.
I actually can blow a 4th octave D on this thing–I did once, I won’t do it again. But I’m amazed it can do it at all.
The only other whistle that I have with a third octave this well balanced is my Burke.
The only downside is that I tend to drool when playing this whistle–I don’t know why–so I finally gave up and did the detergent solution anti-clogging trick. I find the tone absolutely lovely–but many who love only pure-toned whistles will not care for it at all.
For what it’s worth, I have the same drooling problem with my new Brassy Polly - though it does not clog on me. (I just lay it down on a paper towel with the head elevated when I’m done).
I think Bill’s aiming for that “high-end Clarke” sound, too. (We discussed the sound via email - he called it something like “traditional whistle sound”) I like my Serpents quite a bit, but they are at the opposite end of the whistle spectrum (in both sound and backpressure) from an Oak (or the Burkes or the Abell I had a chance to try this weekend).
Where does your Viper fit on backpressure and air demand?
Moderate back pressure, pretty low air requirement.
As for the breathiness of sound, I think this whistle represents a good middle ground. In his latest whistles he has gone to a new fipple design with higher backpressure which is a little stronger on the breathy raspiness, but this whistle has his old style curved-windway fipple and really sounds very good to me.
Here’s what it sounds like on the slip jig “The Choice Wife”
OK, I don’t get it…Bill made this wonderful whistle, so he’s not going to make anymore? Gee, I thought when you hit it just right, you rush into mass production (of a sort)…Is it too difficult to make or make consistently? What up, Bill?
Nuttin’ really. The Village Viper is cool, and the B-flat is a good key, but there’s no hue and cry to order the VV in any key, at the moment. If you want a B-flat, order a D and email me and I’ll make yer one.
serp
