Is Sterling Sliver as slippery as Nickle? How does sterling compare to nickle and to brass, sound wise. Who makes sterling silver whistles?
I’m just doing some personal research. Thanks for your answers.
Jon
Here’s a site with some beautiful hand-crafted sterling silver whistles.
http://www.tullberg.com/tully/
Lawrence
I’ve never played one so I don’t know what the difference is in sound or whether they are as slippery as nickle.
I do know that John Sindt makes a sterling silver D though.
Someday.
Mike
Howdy,
Copeland makes sterling whistles. I suppose that if there was a big problem with slipping (beyond, say what exists with nickle) that it wouldn’t be used for whistles (or boheme flutes beyond that).
I’m currently tinkering with the idea of a Whitecap head on 1/2" sterling tube. You can
<a href=http://www.sfjssantafe.com/SmetalsItems.php?Gid=SS012&DepId=metals&ItemSet=Sterling+Silver+Tubing&Qt=2&unit=&ItemNO=118480&cost=30.04&form=118480#118480">buy the sterling stock here. It may be a bit thin (23/24 gauge), but I can’t find thicker.
I’m also looking into titanium tubes just for the fun of it.
Best,
Dave
I know of Copeland and Tully sterling whistles. I have a Tully and never had a problem with “slipping.” Then again, I never had a problem with slipping on nickel either. I’m thinking that generally what the whistle is made of is the least of or one of the lesser variables effecting tone.
Regards,
PhilO
Hi! You can find all kinds of interesting tubing including sterling silver here Hoover & Strong They have an 18K green gold available in sheet form there. I talked to Michael Copeland once about naking a whistle from it. He’d have to roll the tube but he said it wouldn’t be a problem. Trouble is coming up with the money for the material. 
It’s really expensive.
-Paul
Howdy,
The problem with Hoover and Strong is that they only have up to 3/8" in diameter on their chart. Both Rio Grande and Santa Fe have 1/2". I have yet to find a source for gold tubing, but sheet stock is readily available for those who like to roll their own (so to speak).
Best,
Dave
I play a sterling silver boehm flute and have no slippage problems. It seems to be the same as my nickel-plated flute in that regard.
Doc
I havent seen anyone make this yet but Nickel or Sterling could be made non-slippery if the tone hole area had some engraved cross-hatching to preserve friction.
Bad thing about Nickel is some people are allergic to it.
I’m allergic to sterling; it’s not that unusual. I’m not violently allergic, but can’t wear earrings made out of it. I don’t have any problem playing an Abell whistle, though.