Tweakers-change a Generation B flat into an A whistle

[mike.r]

@lisdoonvarna

3 questions-
what’s a demitone - a half semi-tone?

How do you build a wall aound the window and make it tough enough not to get knocked off in the rough and untidy world of performance venues with the set up and packing and the occasional whistle drop?

How many sides of the window do you build it around? 2 or 3?

By the end of the barrel you mean the far end from the mouthpiece right?
I lied - that’s four questions.
Pat

Your first Q is correct.As to Q2,epoxy putty would withstand the rigours of the road,gotta work fast though as it sets pretty quick.Q3…3. Q4 yes.Actually,I think this is better suited for home or temporary use where an A whistle is needed but not immediately at hand .Making a new barrel in the key of A with a Bb head is probably your best solution for a roadworthy instrument.Mike

[naex_may]

@tansy

I’ve toyed with the Bb-A on the generation and I finally decided one day to order some of the same diameter tubing a bit longer and make a whole new tube. I think it would make a decent whistle. […]

This is what I am doing as well.

My toying:
After several attempts of making tubes og the Bb Gen diameter I bought a second Whistle and cut off aprox. 40 mm of tubing. This piece II soldered to the top end of my other Gen body (looks quiet messy as I was annoyed with my failed tube making experiments). Then I started to get the holes in tune by ear (next time I will use a tuner) starting with the lowest hole: I filed them on the upper side and taped them on the lower. The higher the holes the more filing/taping you need (nearly no filing on the lowest hole).
The tone is nice and the tuning is ok. The sound is affected by the tape I used because it crackles while I play (souds like a camp fire). Tuning can be improved if you make a new body using a fitting tube.

Always wondered why non of the whistle tweakers ever produced A bodys for Bb Gen heads. If one day I find the time to get the right tube I will do it myself:o)

Näx

[lisdoonvarna]

“I finally decided one day to order some of the same diameter tubing a bit longer and make a whole new tube”.


Where could someone order brass or aluminum tubing to fit correctly in the Generation whistlehead (To make an A whistle) I would like it to be the same thickness wall and same diameter as the Generation Bb tubing. Half inch copper water pipe didn’t work. I think the walls are too thick.

I could order online if I knew where and what to order.

Pat