OK this is it. Tonight I order my first and last (ya right) big dollar whistle. I am shaking with antisipation. And it is the fault of every one of you.
After eight weeks the unemployment gods have decided that a soon to be 55 year old man with rumatoid arthritis can finally and lagitametly quit his ten hour a day six day a week job building roof trusses.
Sooooo, for my birthday I am giving my self a super whistle. My problem is I can not make up my mind whitch one.
I am down to the Elfsong or a Burke. Now Redwolf have you ever played a Burke? Most people have said go with the Burke but I am in love with the sweet sentaments that have been presented here over the Elfsong. And I spent several years sailing the waters of BC and loved everyone I met there.
As you can see my criteria for chooseing a whistle is shall we say less then techno.
Anyway you all got me into this now I need help to get deepeer into this.
That is my price range and maybe I`m missing a bet here so just a little help will do. As I said tonight is the night even if I have to stay up all night to figure this out. What do you think Blackhawk? Snake man, Walden, M, Sue, I am waiting…
Tom
Hi,
You didn’t ask for my opinion, but I am here anyway, ha ha.
I HAVE to decide what Whistle to buy because of where I live. In Reno it is 15% humidity
almost all year long. SO wooden fipples, etc. dry out and fall out.
If you are in Wa. state, maybe you should also decide what to buy based on
your humidity. Won’t wooden things swell
up in Wa. cause of the humidity? Anyway,
I would ask the manufacture if his product
is good for your area. (I had to go with the
PVC Silkstone ones from England); but your
problem is the opposite.
That wasn’t much help on the ones you asked about; but just thought I would throw another
monkey wrench into the mix.
Good luck with being “unemployed”…I am
57 and am in the same boat.
Lolly
I sent you an e-mail with my recommendation.
Tom,
You didn’t ask my opinion, but I try not to let such matters stand in my way from offering it anyway. 
I love all my Burkes. Recently I heard a tape recording of an Elfsong and it sounded just like a Burke! I think you will be happy no matter which way you go. What a nice position to be in, and happy birthday, whenever it is!
Carol
Thanks Lolly; ya aint it great…
Only Brass will do and no wooden fipples. And no plastic. I have those and will have more but this is the one. And It must be Brass and hand made. I did meen to enclude everyone in my befuddlment though. I just can`t type very well right now. 
Tom
Happy Birthday, Tom! I don’t have a clue about the whistle questions, though, having never played either of those fine makes. From all I’ve read, you can’t go wrong with either one of them. Wish I had the same decision to make! 
Susan
Sorry Carol, just jump right in. Now that is just what I wanted to here.
Tom
Thanks Susan; Its not till the 6th but this mood might not last long enough. Frugality might strike :-0
Tom
Hiya Tom, and congratulations!
If you go with Elfsong, you’re still not through with decisions–what color scheme?
Do know that her fipple plugs are wood, but the mouthpiece is covered in a nice, non-toxic finish (epoxy?) and since she builds them in the dampitude of Vancouver Island, I think it can stand some Washington State humidity.
She’s a sweetie and a cutie-pie, and fully understands the importance of good customer service.
Sorry, I can’t speak about Burkes, and I still have a lust for a wooden whistle when I get more money than I can assign to bills. I can’t help it–must be why I married a cabinetmaker. Now, if he had been as good a person as he was a woodworker we might still be married
Actually, you and he would probably be pals if you knew each other. He always wanted to go sail around the world.
E-mail me off list and we’ll talk about RA and the oddball arthritis I have. There are excellent new drugs out there.
M
Yikes! dials the phone for Tom Don’t procrastinate! And may whatever you get bring you years of joy.
Susan
Sorry…I’m afraid I’ve never played a Burke (someday, maybe!), and you already know how happy I am with my Elfsong
To a certain extent, unless someone comes up with a comparison of the two, I’d say go with your gut…whichever whistle seems to be calling to you (now, of course, if they’re both hollering at you, you still have a problem!).
Redwolf
Yes Redwolf they are both yelling at me. But I think the Burke is saying "I dont think you are ready for me yet" And I was just at the Elfsong site again and what can I say. Im in love.:roll:
Time to send an email.
Tom
On 2003-01-03 00:16, Blackbeer wrote:
Yes Redwolf they are both yelling at me. But I think the Burke is saying "I dont think you are ready for me yet" And I was just at the Elfsong site again and what can I say. Im in love.:roll:
Time to send an email.Tom
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Tom,
I just reread one of your posts in this thread and saw the words “only brass will do, and no wooden fipples.” You do realize the Elfsongs are copper, yes? (The lower ones are, anyway…the high range is brass). And that they have hardwood fipples?
I didn’t see that before (or, actually, I did, but I registered it as from a different poster for some reason).
That said…well, you already know I love mine, and I don’t think you’ll regret your choice (actually, with choices like this – between two very good whistles – what’s to regret? )
Redwolf
Well Redwolf I knew as soon as I said that about the brass and the wood that I misspoke myself. I love the sound of brass and I will have a Burke some day but the deed is done. Black Marble High D. I just could not controll myself. Now for the waiting.
God that was fun!!!
Tom
On 2003-01-02 21:43, Blackbeer wrote:
I am down to the Elfsong or a Burke.…
What do you think Blackhawk? Snake man, Walden, M, Sue, I am waiting…
I do not have experience with Burkes or Elfsongs, but their reputation for high quality, as well as the clear quality of workmanship in the photographed examples, speaks volumes.
Whew!
I realized as soon as I posted that you had to have seen the website already, and knew what you were ordering, but I did panic there for a minute!
Now I have to ask…how did you decide on a color so quickly? I agonized for days…and even ended up changing my order at one point (fortunately, Sandy hadn’t painted the tubes yet!). The black marble looks gorgeous…but …argggh! They all look gorgeous! (grin).
You’re gonna love it. Happy playing!
Redwolf
I picked that color on the day you first reviewed your Elfsong. I havent changed my mind. It just went from a wish to a reality.Oh I am also getting an OBriains Improved. What a night. Oh and I seem to remember buying a Water Weasel too. I think I should go to bed. I keep smelling Roses.
Tom
Tom, as far as quality of sound, they are equal. There is a diffence, though (and I have both a Burke D and an Elfsong D). The Elfsong is a fairly quiet whistle, while the Burke is significantly louder (but not so loud that it’s a problem for your ears), if that makes a difference in your choice. It might make a difference for playing with others. Otherwise they are about the same in my book.
Thanks Blackhawk. I`m not ready for loud yet. Maybe someday. If I could just get this Gen D out from under my arm maybe I could go to bed.
Tom
From all the high-end makers quoted here, all I could say is they all have their personality, and all are fine instruments.
You chose the one that struck your fantasy with “I crave this one, and in this colour”. No rationale can beat this: you can’t start a relationship with an instrument by meek feelings. Would you build a boat while mixed about his hull or rigging ?
Tom, you did your right choice.