Well, I am new to these boards but figured I would ask. I am looking to buy a whistle and would prefer it to be wood. It will be high D. Anyone have any suggestions what a good one would be to buy?
Thanks!!!
Busman for a start: http://www.busmanwhistles.com/
It may depend on where you live.
A “local” manufacturer means easier contacts, ease of servicing, revoicing, etc. Customs issues are a hassle, too.
If, for instance you’re in Australia, then go Grinter or Syn.
In the US, the choice is large: Abell, Busman, Greenwood, Sweetheart, Thin Weasel–and apologies to those who slipped my mind.
In EEC, just as well: Bleazey, Le Coant, Rose, Swayne…
All those quoted are instruments of a high quality.
Most may take some delay for manufacturing, but you may luck out on one ready to send.
The choice will be a matter of how experienced you are with whistles, and of personal choices. Even esthetic, why not?
As with most whistles, the answer is “depends.” As Zoob pointed out, it might depend on where you are, although the only problem I’ve ever had with international orders is the problem of international funds wires from the US, which can be expensive. More importantly, it depends on what you’re looking for in a whistle.
I’ve played most of the wooden whistles out there.
Abell – About the most easy-playing whistle out there; volume is moderate and pretty balanced across the octaves. The sound is a little breathy, although his whistles do vary some. Standard whistle is blackwood with silver fittings, he will occasionally make whistles in another wood.
Bleazey – Not a whistle for beginners. It has to be played hard, and it sounds like it, too. The boxwood whistle has a warm sound, but there’s an edge to it that I really like. Conical bore; available in blackwood, box, and mopane
Busman – Another very easy player. It takes a little less breath than the Abell, and is very nicely balanced across the octaves. A fairly pure sound, though Paul might do a little custom voicing. Paul picks exotic hardwoods and makes beautiful whistles.
Greenwood – David Boisvert is one of the new wooden whistle makers. His whistles are wider bore and heavier than the other ones. The sound has a touch of sweetness, but is fairly mellow. They have more volume in the upper register, and you can bend notes more than on most whistles. They definitely enjoy being played with gusto. Available in blackwood, box, and cocobolo.
Grinter – These are narrow-bore instruments, very easy to play and lightning-fast response. The sound has a little chiff, is very sweet, well balanced across the octaves. His standard wood is cocobolo; people have been known to sweet-talk him into red lancewood.
Rose – Very pure and sweet sound, moderate volume. Takes very little air. Conical bore, heavy-walled. Standard is blackwood with gold-plate fittings.
Schultz/Thin Weasel – Very versatile whistles; they can be played in a laid-back fashion or pushed really hard. Pretty loud. Sound is pretty pure with just a little chiff, a little sweetness. Available in a variety of woods; Glenn is known for his access to beautiful woods.
Swayne – His whistles vary from pretty easy players to having very high backpressure. Sound varies from chiffy to pure. Conical bore, boxwood.
Sweet – I’ve only played the old-style, which is conical bore and heavy walls. These play pretty easily up to the middle of the second octave, then get very loud and have to be pushed really hard. The new “professional model” doesn’t suffer from this, though.
Syn – These have kind of a mellow sound; get loud and require a lot of push toward the upper end of the second octave. Standard wood is brown lancewood; they may be available in others.
Of course, these are just my impressions, and handmade whistles vary even from the same maker. Many of the makers will voice their whistles to the customer’s taste. Most of these makers are pretty accessible and are happy to answer questions.
Have you already got some whistles? Your not looking for your first are you?
Mary
I agree with this comment. I have a high and low D in mopani currently (a low G is crossing the pond as we speak). This very nice looking whistle has a LOT of back pressure. I may have to trade my wife this one for my Blackwood Thin Weasel until she learns it is OK to play it hard.
The low D is a pretty easy blower but I have not even come close to reaching its potential. The finger spread is WAY easy, the holes are small and the only thing that keeps my wife from playing it is the weight. I am looking into a thumb rest that will not damage the beautiful wood. The small holes make half holing a bit difficult, but cross fingerings are pretty easy. This whistle fights for time with my Overton low D.
Just got this whistle. It is pretty easy to get a good sound out of. I have not figured out how to get into the third octive yet. It has a very sweet sound. Still learning about this one.
I have one of Erle’s Ironwood whistles showing up this week on a tour. I will edit these comments once I have had a chance to play it for a few days. Comments from the other tour members have been positive. Check out Gaelic Crossings for more on this whistle.
Wood is a nice choice.
No, this will not be my first whistle, just my first in wood.
I live in the USA…
THanks eveeryone for the quick replies.
I’ve played every brand of wooden whistle except for Grinter, and my favorite was the Greenwood. It’s also one of the cheapest, making it the best value per dollar spent.
Swayne, Syn, Bleazey, Y. Le Coant, Hervieux & Glet (etc.)…? :roll: