I am new to this group, and new to whistles but love them. I have just ordered a Thin Weasel from Elderly Instruments and am looking forward to receiving it and learning how to play. I play several other instruments, my favorite being hammered dulcimer. I have a question, though - I know that Alba whistles are aluminum and silver colored. However, were any ever made in real, solid silver? Thank-you for any help you can give me - Randi
I was not sure, I saw that post to. I wanted to ask stacey from alba but she just left on a little vacation.
As for as the weasel, very nice whistles I dont have one but have played them.
Tully comes immediately to mind. His website is at: http://www.tullberg.com/tully/.
I’m fairly certain that there are other craftsmen who work in silver as well, though perhaps not as exclusively as Tully does. I believe I’ve seen mention on this board in the past of whistle-makers who’ve done things in silver and even gold.
- Patrick
Copeland: Silver, gold (by special request and material was provided) and nickel.
I have never heard of Stacey (Alba) talking about making whistles in anything other than aluminum. Well, except in jest. She does make a heck of a nice whistle, though, IMHO.
Steven
Most of Stacey’s whistles are aluminium but I believe there is also a composite material whistle on her website. I have never heard her mention silver.
Ron
The composite one is discontinued. She ues aluminum only, now AFAIK.
What’s-his-name… John Sindt did a few whistles in silver. One sold here in this board a few months ago for $200-ish.
g
The whistles on ebay. found here http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=505&item=3738145752&rd=1
Well, that is definately the Alba logo. The head joint looks to be a bit rough and the body almost looks tapered. I was thinking Copeland until I looked at the close up pic of it. hmmmmmmm…
STACEY! where are you when we need you!!!
Why did I post that If it was real it could have been mine, Now Norcal is going to take it.
Dang, that looks legit… it does say it was “about 10 years ago”.
I…DO NOT…NEEDDD…THIISSS…WHISTLE!!!MUST RE—SIST!!ARRRRGGHHH!!!
I wish stacey was around to verify. I found it the first night it was on ebay but thought it was a mistake until I saw it here again. So I posted If it is real and silver stacey has some explaining to do. 
Does anyone know when she’s coming back from vacation?
1 week from a day or two ago.
My suggestion to the original poster: email the seller through eBay and ask about it. There may be a story behind it. I’ve never seen a silver Alba before, but if this is a forgery, it’s a rather bizarre one.
g
[edit]
Actually someone already asked:
Q: As far as I know, Alba whistles are not made in sterling silver, they are aluminum. If it truly were silver, I might be interested, but have never heard of one so have my doubts. Can you clarify this? Thanks,
Answered on Jul-23-04
A: Hi, The whistle is stamped pictish mint, hand made and 925 and contains a lot of silver, definatly not alluminium, this was a very expensive purchase and was a one off. Cheers, Steve
Pictish Mint? I’d be more impressed if it had an Edinburgh Hallmark on it e.g. the lion rampant Maybe Stacey having a joke!!
I’m just about to put a set of Susatos up on Ebay. all stamped Albion mint solid gold. Okay they look like ivory coloured plastic but they got the stamp, must be gold!!
Yes, but Pictish Mint is the kind of joke she’d make. The only thing (besides the material) that looks wrong is the shape – it looks Copelandish. Unfortunately, she took off on vacation. The seller timed this well!
Yes, Stacey would do something like that. I also noticed the taper on the body.
The main thing that REALLY bothers me is the quality of the head to body joint. THAT is not up to Stacey’s quality.
One other question I have is was Stacey making whistles 10 years ago? I have only been around a year or so and do not know they history.
So, who’s dulcilama? Speak up!