So far the only place I know of is in Bar Harbor (which is quite a ways for me). Anyone know of some good stores in Maine that sells whistles? Thanks! 
So far the only place I know of is in Bar Harbor (which is quite a ways for me). Anyone know of some good stores in Maine that sells whistles? Thanks!
Ah yes, but Song of the Sea (in Bar Harbor) is well worth the trip. They have a very nice selection and they are very helpful.
Feadoggie
Hi Sara:
I know of no music shops in Maine which have what I would call a good selection of tin whistles, other than The Song of the Sea, in Bar Harbor.
The SOTS is probably the best such store (for whistles) on the entire east coast !!! Just look at what they carry in stock on their website. There’s no such place in the northeast to my knowledge that can match the size of their selection
Although I live in the state, I have never visited the store because it’s an overnight trip for me (twelve hours round trip). I’ve made purchases of whistles from them over the phone and they are very nice to deal with. I do intend to visit SOTS as soon as I can, though. Where else can one try so many high end, low end and mid-range tin whistles ?
Most music stores will carry a handful of brass and nickel Generations, C and D Clarkes. Others may have some Waltons or Oaks or other inexpensive ones, like Feadogs and Little Black Whistles (LBW). But., that’s about it.
My best advice to a NEWB whistler is to get a Jerry Freeman MelloDog or his latest equivalent, or any of the other reputable tweaked cheapies whose costs range from $25 - $40. I believe this choice would result in the cheapest way to get for yourself the best instrument of dependable quality without a lot of wasted time and wasted money experimenting with the disappointing “duds” abundantly found amongst off-the-shelf cheapies. Many agree with this viewpoint.
But, if taking your chances on “getting lucky” with cheapies appeals to you, I have had good luck with Generation E-flat and F keys, bluetop nickel. Others praise the B-flat Gens, too. No experience with the red top brass, though. And, you can always take up the art of tweaking yourself if you get something that has “character flaws”
Lots of opinions on this. I recommend doing a search on C & F on this subject.
Hope this has been helpful.
Lloyd
The only place I know in Maine is in Mapleton, MA, the WhistleSmith whistles. He makes them right there. Phone number is 1-800-675-4206. I have 3 of his whistle and love them!
Donn
Whoops, it’s Mapleton, Maine, not MA!
Donn
A beginner I am and I have two Whistlesmith whistles - a Low D and a Low G and play them each week in worship - nice whistles, great price.
pastorkeith