Trial Tweaks

Whistle
1

This is probably not news to anyone, but a common way to tweak cheap whistles is to laminate a new surface onto (or under) the blade. I’ve found that can produce great results, but proper placement is critical!

One risk-free way to do this is to use a small dot of blu-tak (fun-tack, or whatever), and attach a small sheet of plastic. A cut up credit card is just about right. You can easily mess around to find the placement you like best and, if you wish, glue it down permanently later. (Although the tack will hold it on just fine).

I turned a horrid old Gen Bb into a really great player with nothing but putty in the hollow and plastic from a milk jug, stuck on as shown…

2

:smiley: hehe . . . what’s up next? Perhaps tweaking an old Stradivarius violin?
I would have done that and faced the music later . . . :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

3

Hi Crooked, it’s amazing how a tiny movement can change the sound. I use the method you described. After I get it right I put a drop of crazy glue (super glue) to hold it.

4

Crookedtune,

Do you file down the labium ramp before gluing the additional plastic on? It seems like the bump that Generations have would interfere with the placement. That said, I have a horrid old Walton’s brass D that I might go experiment with.

5

King, from my experience the labium on most whistles doesn’t come quite close enough to the windway to create a sweet sound. There’s usually no need to trim it first. The bump Generation doesn’t get in the way. If you live in a hot area be careful what material you use. I had my tweak melt on me once. Now I use PETE from one of those energy drinks you get at the gym. I take it from the side wall.

6

I have a horrid old Walton’s brass D that I might go experiment with.

That horrid Walton’s might just become a favourite after some tweaking.

from my experience the labium on most whistles doesn’t come quite close enough to the windway to create a sweet sound.

That’s quite correct, bringing the labium closer to the windway sweetens the sound, but be careful not to get it too close or the whistle will loose much of it’s harmonic frequency contents and sound dull.

7

Crookedtune

Very very useful tip. I had not tried this before. Thank you!

8

Wow, that’s really effective. I threw down the tweak on a Generation D that’s been my lab rat for every tweak I’ve tried before and it sounds amazing.

9

Looks like my link to the picture disappeared. What’s that about?! :boggle: I’ll make a note to put it back in place when I’m home tonight. Sorry folks.