I’m having some problems with a new whistle, and before contacting the maker I figured I’d see if it is this particular whistle, or maybe the general design, or maybe its just me.
I’ll be playing along, and during certain runs, mostly when going from one octave to another (not a full octave jump, just going from B to the D above it, for example, or D down to B) this whistle simply stops. No sound. As it is a VERY quiet whistle, narrow bore, and I know that they can clog more easily than whistles with a bigger windway, I thought maybe that was the issue. But if I look at the windway immediately after one of these whistle strikes there doesn’t appear to be any condensation.
I’ve warmed it in hot water, shaken it and blown it and such, but it continues to stop with no warning. I’m pretty convinced its not clogging. This isn’t a once in a while thing either…its frequent.
Does anyone else have a narrow bore alloy Silkstone? I have the plastic standard bore, and it is a real gem in my book, but this thing (very very pretty whistle!) has me wondering if there is some trick to the technique.
Hi - I have two D+ Aluminium whistles…a standard bore which is fine and a “practice” narrow bore (there are only two of these in Aluminium - I have one, Paul has the other).
You are right, it does stop with no warning whatsoever. I assumed it was clogging, but haven’t given it a lot of thought as to quite when it bungs up -will investigate it’s peculiarities further. Paul is an extremely nice chap to deal with - being in UK I just pick up the phone. If we can give him a scenario, he’ll sort it out for us for sure.
See if I can come up with something vaguely definite…
I don’t have the Silkstone NB, but I do have whistles that are very wind-conservative that do the same thing – I look into the windways, don’t see anything, suck in hard, and they’re fine.
What’s the overall impression of these whistles? I’d love a whistle with the sound of the Silkstone but a tad less volume.
One diagnostic tactic might be to rinse the windway with your favorite soap solution, wipe off the outside of the whistle and let the remaining soap solution dry inside the windway. If the problem disappears for a few days or longer, the problem is condensation.
I’d blame condensation even if you don’t see any with the naked eye.
Paul’s whistles aren’t very prone to clogging with their acetal fipple plugs and PVC windway sleeves, but all whistles need to be soap treated regularly.
While it is very subtle, Paul tapers his windways so that they are very thin and focused on the blade edge at the exit end, so just the slightest bit of condensation buildup can cause serious problems.
I don’t have a Silkstone, but have had similar problems with other whistles. When it happens, try turning the whistle around, cover the finger holes and blow from the wrong end. I found a tiny bit of condensation coming out on the blade when I tried this.
Condensation may be the problem and you should inspect the windway exit for sharp, unrounded “lips” or “burrs”, but on the off chance that it isn’t condensation… Some whistles have a very flat surface under the labium ramp. When the airstream “flips” down under the edge, it can “Lock up” from adhesion to this flat surface and cease to oscillate for a few cycles(silence).
Try adding a tiny dab of Blu-Tack etc. under the leading edge of the ramp(use the ramp edge to scrape it off your finger/stick). This will break any adhesion caused “Oscillation Lock Up” without whistle surgery. You could also try a dab on the top of the ramp to increase the angle a little if the first tweak doesn’t work. If one of these “reversable” tweaks does work, I would consider returning the whistle for Dealer surgery.
Thanks for the suggestions…I’ll try them in order. No other delrin lined whistle has ever clogged on me…but I just did a hit of Jet Dry which I heartily regret…yuck! Tomorrow I’ll try to get rid of that wil some Bronners soap.
Thomas, it appears that blue tack is the whistlers equivalent of duct tape! I’ll give the windway rinse a chance to work…then use your suggestions. Many thanks…
Could anyone direct me to a link or explain what I need to do when I soap my whistles? The 300 page manual that should come with a whistle wasn’t included with any of the whistles I’ve bought so far . I’ve only been seriously messing with whistles for a few months now. But it amazes me to see how many things are done with something that people where I live always considered a children’s instrument. My plan is to get good enough on whistle to infiltrate bluegrass meetings in my area . But that’s only because I havn’t been successful in finding a session within 200 miles of me. Of course, I’ve never seen a whistle played with old style country bands . . . but I figure I’d have better luck trying to get into the bluegrass community with a whistle than I would in a biker bar. Then I’d need a stainless steel low D to fight my way to the door.
Back to the point, what do I need to do when I soap a whistle?
. I’ve only been seriously messing with whistles for a few months now. But it amazes me to see how many things are done with something that people where I live always considered a children’s instrument. My plan is to get good enough on whistle to infiltrate bluegrass meetings in my area 
. But that’s only because I havn’t been successful in finding a session within 200 miles of me. Of course, I’ve never seen a whistle played with old style country bands . . . but I figure I’d have better luck trying to get into the bluegrass community with a whistle than I would in a biker bar. Then I’d need a stainless steel low D to fight my way to the door.