Can anyone recommend any U.S. stores that have a good selection of whistles and that allow you to play the whistles in the shop before you buy?
I know of a music store in Miami that lets you do this, only they only carry Generations. What I would like to do is to try out the upper-end models before plunking down $100 or more.
Looking for stores on the East Coast, but would like to know of retailers in other areas as well, in case I’m ever over that way.
As a former oboe player, it’s hard for me to get used to the idea of ordering instruments over the web, sound unheard.
–Barb
Check out andysfronthall.com, and give them a phone call to check in advance. Last time I was there, they had Weasels ( plastic and wood) Shaws, and several other high and low end instruments.
House of Musical Traditions, http://www.hmtrad.com , in Takoma Park MD; Song of the Sea, http://www.songsea.com , in Bar Harbor ME. Last time I was there, HMT had in stock for playing Chieftains, a couple of Kerry Pros, some Water Weasels, Susatos, Dixons, and a dozen or so inexpensive models. I haven’t been to Song of the Sea yet – will hopefully make my first pilgrammage there in July.
On 2002-05-16 00:48, Miami Colleen wrote:
As a former oboe player, it’s hard for me to get used to the idea of ordering instruments over the web, sound unheard.
–Barb
Actually, my cheap whistles were the ONLY instruments I had ever NOT ordered over the net ~ including: my flutes, flute headjoints and my son’s beautiful horn.
At the store where I bought my cheap whistles, the sales guy showed me the alcohol pads and REALLY tried to get me to play them first, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that (play ~~~ in PUBLIC!!!) I probably should have, though, I never would have bought that ~ *****’ then! If I go back for a few more, I certainly will try them first, but I don’t hesitate to order over the net!
Mary
Song of the Sea in Bar Harbor Me. . .very neat little store. . .in the middle of a whole bunch of other very neat little stores. And who can resist the lobsters next door?
Folkcraft Instruments in Winsted, CT will also let you try out instruments, but their selection is limited.
I know you said East Coast, but Lark In The Morning will let you try their whistles. I’ve tried whistles in the Mendocino, California store and the Seattle Store. I’m sure the Cannery Store in San Francisco would be no different, although I’ve never been to that one.
Noone mentioned Mike Burke. I have bought whistles from him when he had a table at the Comhaltas Convention in Washington, D.C. a few years back and I just bought an E flat and B flat from him at the Comhaltas racket in St. Louis last month after test-driving a bunch of his wares for about an hour. He supplies the alcohol wipes (I tried for a shot of Jameson instead, but no soap)and is very accomodating. Maybe you could e-mail him to find out his festival schedule.
Music Folk in Webster Groves (St, Louis, MO) will let you try - they just ask you to place it on the counter so they can disinfect before they put it back on the shelf.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I’m going to plan my next vacation around going someplace near one of these stores. The question is: Should I tell my sig other my plan? Or just arrive in the town and say to him, “Oh, look. What a coincidence! A store that sells tin whistles. I’ll just be a moment…”
And then spend the next three hours trying every whistle in the shop.
My wife and daughter once went to Lark in the Morning (SanFran) with me… not really knowing what they were getting into. After trying every whistle, flute, dulcimer, concertina, and many other instruments I have never seen before or since, I was finally ready to go (after signing the credit card receipt). I looked around and saw my wife and daughter walking back into the store. Aparently they saw where the afternoon was going and went to a movie… I never even realized (well, maybe vaguely) they were gone.
Hey Barb!
Glad to meet a fellow oboist/whistler!
I’m an oboe student at the RSAMD (music conservatoire) in Glasgow, but I’ve recently taken up the whistle.
All the music shops in Glasgow let you “try before you buy”.
I can’t imagine anyone buying an instrument without trying it first!
Also, you must have some friends who are whistle players and have good whistles. You can alweays ask them if you can try theirs. That’s how I found out about Copeland. Ask around.
-Ross
