Anybody have any tips on the procedure for tweaking clarkes? I’ve seen the original vs. tweaked @ the whistleshop.com and have another clarke arriving from there via UPS which I bought w/express purpose of attempting a little bit o’tweaking on it myself and avoid the fees which turn a cheap clarke into an expensive clarke. I need to know how to “smash” down the windway a bit w/out pressing out the sides (I suspect this is where the nails come in) and then how it is cut and shaped to fit the lips better.
anybody at all got any clues on tools and procedures needed for this? Have some notion, but just want a bit of feedback, encouragement, moral support before performing what could be a fatal operation on a new Clarke (ain’t gonna risk the one I already got…)
I would definately go for a hammer on this one guys.
peace,Mike
I succesfully tweaked my Clark. You can easilly flatten the windway with a workbench vise. Just go very slowly, testing the whistle frequently. You do have to put the nail in before flattening the windway, however. The wooden block just pops right out if you don’t, they aren’t glued in well.
To put in a “nail” (I used a screw), I pre-drilled a hole, and the screwed in a small brass wood screw. I then used an angle-grinder to grind the screw flush with the side of the whistle. This does a fair bit of damage to the paint. Use an unpainted clark and the scratches won’t be so obvious.
You can also use the grinder (or disc sander) to undercut the mouthpiece.
Hope this helps.