Hi,
I’m a flute maker based in Ireland who has been making a few wooden whistles over the last year or so.
Here’s a link to my website, different hardwoods & keys available. Sterling silver or brass rings.
https://www.thompsonflutes.com/whistles
They look lovely. Seeing that you make Delrin flutes, you should consider also making Delrin whistles. I love how wooden whistles look, especially the mopane one (dark brown). But what I don’t love is wood upkeep. Delrin helps get those people. And they may cost less. Just my 2 cents.
I agree with Narzog here, I’m always gravitating towards plastic whistles because they’re lightweight (compared to metal) and easy to maintain (my brass whistles look a decade old after a few months) and I’m probably not alone so I’d imagine there’s a market for plastic whistles.
You may want to look up previous discussions re the weight of wood vs that of delrin.
Delrin is heavier than for example blackwood.
Another thing to keep in mind with wood vs plastic vs metal debates, is thickness. My Reyburn brass C has a super thick wall, and is brass. My Burke A has thin walls. My C weighs almost the same. Brass is heavier, but its also the thicker wall. And wooden instruments are usually much thicker wall, which can counter some of the weight saved from the lighter material.
To me it doesnt matter if delrin is actually heavier than blackwood. Its just that it looks like blackwood, is supposed to sound similar to blackwood, but doesnt have the upkeep of blackwood. If I get a wood instrument it cant look like blackwood, because then I will just wish it was delrin haha. A nice brown wood though, almost looks amazing enough to be worth the upkeep.
Yup, that’s why I specified “compared to metal”, however the weight isn’t my main concern but I’m always worried about moisture, temperature and so on, living in cold and (in winter) very dry climate. Either way, beautiful whistles and flutes!
Does anyone make a wood low whistle in d. I would like to try one. I know they make flutes in would but I have not seen a low whistle.
Oh yes.
Ralph Sweet made a Low-D called “Resonance”. Ralph’s shop is now operated as “Musique Morneaux”. I have one. Very nice. Very loud. Very rich timbre.
Also, P.G. Bleazy in the UK. Read great things, but haven’t had the pleasure yet.
I’m sure there are others.
Nanook69 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 10, 2021 8:13 pm
Does anyone make a wood low whistle in d. I would like to try one. I know they make flutes in would but I have not seen a low whistle.
Benedict Stewart used to make low D’s in wood. I have one for sale made from Rock Maple. Have a look at the Used Instruments section on the Board Index.
Cheers
JTU