I finally made contact with The Master, and learned much about his doings of late. I also learned that he’s a private person who wouldn’t want details floating around the Web, but I don’t think he’d mind if I reported that he had some health problems last year, which are now resolved, and he has retired from his full-time job. Signs are he’ll be devoting more of his time and self to his whistle business, which is very good news for those who appreciate what he offers (it seems to be you love or hate his whistles; I’ve never met an in-betweener). The fact that he is taking two weeks vacation starting this weekend, as reported on his web site, is testimony to his having caught up on everything.
The price hikes? Do the math: $20 more for a $345 dollar whistle is 5.8%, hardly unreasonable for a first increase in years!
Two people on this forum are going to be getting a Low C Aluminum in a few days. Good news all around.