I was in the neighborhood of Bloomington IL yesterday and stopped by at the Whistle Shop to look for a C whistle. While I was there, Thom was gracious enough to let me try out not only the whistles he sells, but also his own collection of high end, “famous brand” whistles. What an educational experience. In addition to not being able to remember hardly any of the tunes I’ve been religously practicing, I discovered that the sound of the most highly esteemed prestige whistles, which I had been tempted to get on a waiting list for, just didn’t do it for me.
I’m sort of slow on the uptake but I now realize that whistles are an incredibly personal thing. Just because everyone raves about a particular make or famous musician A plays on brand X, that might not be the sound that you are looking for. Whistles are all so incredibly different in feel, sound, breath requirement, aesthetics, that you owe it to yourself to play on as many makes as possible to decide what speaks best to you. I know this has been said before and I just want to repeat it because I finally get it. Play before you pay!
A big thanks to Thom at the Whistle Shop for giving me the opportunity to literally play them all. Unabashed plug–if you’re ever anywhere close by central Illinois or even if you’re not, head on over to the Whistle Shop.
BTW I picked up an Overton low F, absolutely superb to my ear, and a large bore aluminum Chieftain C. I just love that huge chiffy sound. Being a flute player I just don’t think you can make a whistle too loud.
I can’t agree more with the “play before you pay” maxim. I got the three-body set of Susatos (A-F-G) because I wanted to try some lower whistles, and because everyone raved about Susatos, but I didn’t like them. I also don’t like the Oaks or Feadogs (is that heresy? I DO like the name Feadog, though), which seem to be popular as well.
I find myself going to Lark in the Morning more…just to keep trying out different whistles. I just wish there was a place that carried EVERYTHING! Ah, but a whistler can dream…
Such truth in your discovery…I spent a lot of time and money before I discovered that what others were looking for, I was not…
I have been fortunate to find what I WAS looking for, and have been playing whistles by these makers, ever since. While I am almost always interested in the new models being discussed on the board, the reality of what you have discovered cured me of acute Whoa, some time ago…
Shoner,
Case in point–I recently sent a Chieftain C back to Thom after playing it for no more than a few minutes and disliking it more than any other whistle I’ve tried. I wonder if you ended up buying that very one and loving it?? Then Thom got me a Sweetheart Maple C that pleased me enough right away to keep it even though many people voice their dislikes of the SH whistle. Unlike you, I think a whistle should be as quiet as possible without being too quiet to be heard along with other acoustic instruments–and yet there are suitable whistles for both our likes!
Your post about playing before paying should help many newbies more than the ones that swear by a particular make.
Cheers,
Lisa