I’ve been mulling over for some time the pros and cons of procuring a Thin Weasel. Water Weasels are my staple whistles, and I find the idea of a beautiful wooden whistle really appealing. Would some of you be interested in comparing the sound and playability of the different Weasel families? Also, does anybody know what Glenn’s lead time is for TW’s?
I know there are also fans of Abells out there – Anyone want to comment on similarities/differences between Abells and TW’s?
TIA, Charlie
I have a ton of Water Weasels, but I’ve tried Thin Weasels a few of times. Here are my impressions:
D – Except for being lighter and prettier, this was hard to distinguish from my WW Ds.
C – Probably the best whistle I’ve ever played. Lightyears better than my WW C. I wish I could convince the Irish musicians of the world to move everything down a whole step, so I could use one all the time.
low G – Very nice whistle, perhaps a touch better than my WW low G. Comes in three pieces, so it is more easily portable.
I’ve also tried to play a high G, but it was designed for much more delicate fingers than I have. It sounded nice when a friend played it.
I can’t say enough good things about Glenn’s whistles, as well as Glenn himself. He’s a pleasure to deal with and an absolute gem of a man. I own a cocus wood C and have played cocobolo D and C whistles…they’re all fantastic instruments, nice and loud, with big holes that facilitate half-holing (which I use a lot). The tuning slide on mine is a marvel - whereas with my Copeland nickel D I have to peer down the length of the whistle to adjust the lineup of the tone holes to fipple, the weasel just seems to pop right into line when you put it together; I can’t imagine how or why this happens, but it does every time! I have yet to clog this whistle…it is the easy favorite in my collection, and I own Copeland, Overton & Sindt and have played numerous others.
I happened to catch Glenn between batches, so he had a few unclaimed whistles left over…as I had expected a wait, I asked him if he could hold the C whistle for a month until I scraped the money together. No, he wouldn’t do it…instead, he SENT ME THE WHISTLE without payment, and told me to send a check when I was able. Guess I sounded desparate…ergo, zero wait time and I absolutely love the guy!
You’ll have to get the Abell comparison from someone else.
I fully agree with Raymond about Glenn and his whistles. Got my first Thin Weasel many years ago-- I don’t remember how long, but I had to think long and hard before paying the then high price of $125 for my Rosewood D. Loved it then, and it’s still my favorite whistle.
After I had the whistle for a while, I had a technical question about it that the nice people at Andy’s Front Hall couldn’t answer. They gave me Glenn’s address, thus starting a longtime friendship. I simply can’t speak highly enough about the man and his instruments. He has shared much with me about life, faith, poetry ( terrific), and instrument making.
The WW are wonderful handmade plastic instruments, but if you want a beautiful, playable work of art, save up your pennies and buy a Thin Weasel.
Abells and Weasels are very different. Weasels are louder and more pure in tone. This makes Weasels better for a session and not as good for a living room. As with any handmade instrument, they vary from one to the next. Good stuff, though.
Jessie
I’ve had my TW for almost ten years now and still love it. The gravy is that Glenn is also terrific to deal with on any level. I’m not one of the Board’s WW fans though, I guess I considered them just ordinary after having a TW as my very first high end whistle. Just began my wait for my first Abell, and opted for the Delrin. Will let you know how it turns out. PhilO
I have a ThinWeasel D of cocobolo, and 5 water weasels in various keys.
I fully concur with the remarks of raymond, brewerpaul, & jessiek above.
Glenn has been first rate to deal with, short lead times etc. He is a trad musician, songwriter, & poet, playing many instruments as well as whistle. A true artist and good person.
I just want to say AMEN to all the above kudos about Glenn and his whistles. Who was that guy found dead in the shower and they had to pry the whistle out of his cold dead hands? (That was your doing Thom Larson) Well that would be me and my TW D. I’m taking that one with me. Gm