Hey, I really like the sound of a clarke original, but its not in tune. So, is there any whistle out there with the sound of a clarke original but with spot on tuning?
Your question is a good one. I’d like to know too. I have an original that I brought more into tune by grinding some holes at the top end (towards the mouthpiece) to make them sharper. It’s still not a whistle I grab when playing in public because it’s just not the easiest to play.
The Shaw D sounds kinda Clarke-ish, but the intonation is terrible.
My Clarke D isn’t too bad. Low D is 5-10 cents sharp (not bad), and low E is 10-15 cents sharp (not so good). The rest of the 1st octave up to D is okay. It might be possible to correct the E by partially covering the bottom hole with tape, but I haven’t tried this.
I’m surprised by so many Clarke’s being out of tune - mine is spot on. Pure tone, not to breathy…I love it. I got it for Christmas.
Are yours newer or older? I wonder if it’s just a quality control issue.
On 2003-02-24 21:52, Jayhawk wrote:
I’m surprised by so many Clarke’s being out of tune - mine is spot on. Pure tone, not to breathy…I love it. I got it for Christmas.Are yours newer or older? I wonder if it’s just a quality control issue.
I’m a bit surprised too. I’ve never checked mine, but compared to other cheapies it’s obviously better in tune than most if not all.
Oh, do Susatos count as cheapies? They’re well in tune. But that’s the last whistle you’d choose to recreate the Clarke Original experience.
I think my Serpent D sounds quite a bit like a Clarke original, and it is definitely well-tuned. It’s not an inexpensive whistle, though…
In the inexpensive range, maybe Oak sounds a little like a Clarke.
A lot of it depends on what you mean by “like a Clarke.” I have had Clarke originals that were achingly pure and sweet, and I have had Clarkes that were raspy and breathy.
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
I’m starting to think that my Clarke Original, too, is an exceptionally good whistle. I’ve bought a few more since then, for friends and such, but none come close to my first…sigh (not that I can complain).
My Oak sounds louder and richer than a Clarke, but that’s only in the first octave and it takes some serious breath control to achieve. Very frustrating little whistle, that Oak.
A couple of comments:
First, you are right about the Oak: it takes some very developed breath control, and I wouldn’t consider it a good whistle for a beginner. For someone with the necessary control, though, that little bugger will sing.
I just also wanted to point out that I have two Clarke original D’s, both bought recently. One is very sweet and soft and has very modest breath requirements. The other is breathier and raspier and feels like trying to blow down a barrel. But there are times for both–soft and sweet is great for airs and lullabies, but for a foot-stompin’ reel, gimme a little harsher and louder whistle any day.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com