Strong Endorsement for the Whitecap

Whistle
1

I’ve had a Hoover Whitecap for a while now, and I must say that it is still the most played whistle in my arsenal. When I decided to post this thread, I checked his site to see whether Mack had made them available to order over the Internet yet, and he had.

I was always a person who preferred all-metal or wood whistles to the plastic mouthpiece type, but the Whitecap is just flat-out good. Essentially it is a brass Hoover whistle barrel, with a cream-colored CPVC Hoover whistle mouthpiece. The aesthetic of the mouthpiece gives it a classier look, in my opinion, than most other plastic topped whistles.

It has a strong, clear tone. Its tone is as sweet as I have heard. It is capable of playing softly, but can be played at least as loud as a Clarke original.

It is not a breathy whistle, and is very easy to play. The mouthpiece has a curved windway. Unlike some of the other whistles, the Whitecap is not especially prone to clogging.

It does have the typical Hoover finger hole configuration, which necessitates half-holing for a C natural. But the bodies are interchangeable with a Feadog, and Mack offers just the mouthpiece for US$20.

A complete Whitecap in high D costs US$45, the same as Mack’s other whistles (there is the same labor and expense in making them). Definitely one of the best bargains in a handmade instrument.

Being a longtime C&F participant, Mack is aware of the need for tunability, and there is no glue to loosen on the cap, and it is very easy to tune.

I was not asked to post a review, and perhaps I shouldn’t have done it, considering Mack Hoover’s 20 order monthly limit, but I just wanted to express my opinions on the matter.

walden

[ This Message was edited by: Walden on 2003-01-21 08:59 ]

2

The whitecaps fit very nicely on many standard whistle bodies - I’ve got one on a two piece Clare D and one on a Generation nickel Eb. No teflon required.

3

I’ve got a Whitecap on a Feadog barrel and it’s the only whistle I’m playing right now. I love the sweet sound.
Susan

4

Good review, Walden…One point, if I may. I have a lot of Hoover whistles. The Whitecap and the narrow bore are the only Hoovers that I own that necessitate the half-holing of the C natural. All others handle the standard cross-fingerings quite well.
Best to all.
Byll

5

On 2003-01-21 10:36, Byll wrote:
…The Whitecap and the narrow bore are the only Hoovers that I own that necessitate the half-holing of the C natural…
Best to all.
Byll

That’s strange. My narrow bore brass is one of the most in tune whistles I have for cross fingering, not only of the C nat, but also Bb (1st and 2nd octave) and Eb (2nd octave).

6

Just count me in as yet another satisfied Hoover Whitecap owner! Definitely my favorite all around whistle. All of my whistles get playing time, each has their occasion of prominence, but if I had to pick just one and give away all the others I’ve decided that Whitecap would be the one to stay!

7

I posted it previuosly…but I have one for sale if anyone’s interested for $45 including shipping & ins in the U.S. It’s only a couple months old, was specially made for me by Mack, nice whistle, but it’s a bit too quiet for me and I don’t play it. It’d be great for someone who doesn’t do sessions or gigs and prefers to play quietly at home. It’s on a Clare nickel body right now, which provides a more accurate scale with a good c-nat and I’ll include it, along with the original brass Hoover tube. If interested, contact me at drcannon@hiwaay.net or post your e-mail in a reply and I’ll contact you.

8

I’ve never used any but the original Hoover barrel on mine, and it is perfectly in tune.