So I’ve been dreaming of a wooden whistle. But I am left wondering about the different kinds of wood. There are so many. Obviously, there is a difference in color. But what are some of the other differences? Are some woods better for whistles than others? What kinds of wood have you (board members) choosen for your whistles and what factors made you decide on that wood. Was it color, availability, or something else? Is there a preference amoung whistlers for favoring one wood over others? Looking forward to your responses. TY!
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‘I wish it need not have happend in my time,’ said Frodo.
‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’
-LOTR-
[ This Message was edited by: Sunnywindo on 2003-02-19 13:49 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Sunnywindo on 2003-02-22 14:01 ]
It varies from person to person I’m sure, and I’ve never made a wooden whistle, but I HAVE made a few 5-hole pentatonic scale Native American flutes. I found cedar to have my favorite overall tone.
I am betting that some people purchased their wooden whistle based on the sound you can get from different woods. I know it makes a marked difference in sound as far as the ‘flutes’ I’ve made.
I’m dreaming of a wood whistle,
Just like the ones I used to blow,
Cause they look so pretty
And they smell so nifty
And the grain is knarled like little bows
I’m dreaming of a wood whistle,
With every order that I write!
Brass and nickel, silver shines so bright!
As I order up more whistles left and right.
I have heard that what kind of wood you use for whistles does not have much affect on the sound. However, I also play the Native American flute, and the type of wood does have diffrent sound “flavors”.
But, NA flutes tend to be larger than most whistles. Also, with NA flutes the sound is created by a diffrent design than what is used with whistles. So, my bet is that depending on the size of the whistle, the type of wood will have more or less effect on the sound.
I’m dreaming of a wood whistle,
Just like the ones I used to blow,
Cause they look so pretty
And they smell so nifty
And the grain is knarled like little bows
I’m dreaming of a wood whistle,
With every order that I write!
Brass and nickel, silver shines so bright!
As I order up more whistles left and right.
You had to go there! You just HAD to go there! Now I can’t get White Christmas out of my head. ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH ! ! ! !
Avoid soft woods. They’re more prone to dings and scratches and may not hold a finish as well. Whistles of the same wood vary from the same maker, so it’s hard to compare tone differences based upon type of wood.
Tony
Ah, a subject close to my heart. The stock answer, as has been pointed out, is that the wood for a whistle makes very little difference in the sound. Glenn Schultz has told me exactly that; the sound is almost exclusively in the design of the windway and blade.
I’m not sure I buy that completely. I hate to think that I pay the premium for wooden whistles just for the look and feel. OTOH, I do believe that the variation between different handmade and -voiced whistles is greater than the actual, real contribution of the particular type of wood.
All that said, my favorite wood for whistles is boxwood. By a longshot. It has a (to my ears at least) very warm sound, a wonderful feel, and even a nice smell. It takes more care than other types of wood – it tends to absorb and give off moisture more readily, so needs to be oiled more often. I’m quite fond of cocobolo, too. I’m not crazy about blackwood – it seems to lack individuality.
Well that’s cool to find out. I didn’t figure it would make much difference what kind of wind instrument it was… I didn’t realize it wouldn’t make much difference. Oh well, learn somethin’ new every day!
I don’t own any wood whistles personally, so I would bet on everyone elses opinions!!!
Have any of you whistle smiths here ever made a whistle out of olive wood? I’m curious, because it’s so beautiful, but I don’t know how suitable it is for lathing, or how well it wears.
I’m looking at putting in an order for a wooden whistle this summer, so I’m curious about the virtues of various woods as well.
On 2003-02-19 17:11, Redwolf wrote:
Have any of you whistle smiths here ever made a whistle out of olive wood?
I’ve seen pics of at least one whistle Paul Busman’s made from olivewood. It is lovely, but I have no regrets getting a bocote whistle from him. Think rosewood or cocobolo with a finer, more complex brass-colored grain.
In two words, what to look for in a timber for whistles is density and stability. Many timbers fit both categories and traditionally the fruit woods, apple, pear, plum and olive have been used, as well as boxwood. They are all pretty plain woods though. Ebony and blackwood are also traditional and present a much more visually appealing instrument. More recently, the more exotic timbers are getting a run and are also quite satisfactory.
I’ve had four wooden whistles by Glenn Schultz and Paul Busman and Fred Rose. All were terrific and highly recommended. The Busman was tulipwood, the Rose, blackwood and The Schultzes blackwood and birdseye maple.
To only compare apples to apples Both the Schultzes were fabulous but I thought there were differences and that it was the wood not the fipple or blade. The blackwood whistle was slightly louder and purer. I feel this is due to the density of the wood. The maple whistle has a slightly nutty or woody sound less pure without being chiffier if that makes sense. When I play the maple I feel a lot more vibration in the wood than with the blackwood. I wonder if the denser wood allows less vibration and therefore propels the sound out the barrel with more force therefore more volume. I don’t know and these differences are very subtle. In summary I’d say the visual differences are enormously more noticible than the auditory ones.
Have Glenn or Paul make you a whistle from whatever wood makes your heart go fast. You won’t be disappointed.
materials has been a topic of debate in the world of instruments of a long time.
a physics nut will tell you that as long as two objects are shaped exactly the same, they will produce the same set of harmonics and what not if you produce a vibration in them the same way.
now the sax instructor at my college will tell you that the many layers of gold and silver on his saxophone give it a much richer tone than say a solid brass or solid silver sax.
so, take it as you will. i personally think material affects the sound of instruments at least a little. i certainly can tell the difference between a metal flute and a wood flute at least.
i think anything in the rosewood family would be good, nice warm, rich tone. and yes durability and looks do probably count a lot too
ummmmmm… ordering more whistles James?
sing another song, love… please?
the credit card is full
for the Hammy-wish fulfilled
and though the music that you make
is beautiful for its sake
the wallet is mighty thin
To cater to your whistling whims
… At least this week.
On 2003-02-19 22:21, Mrs. James wrote:
ummmmmm… ordering more whistles James?
sing another song, love… please?
the credit card is full
for the Hammy-wish fulfilled
and though the music that you make
is beautiful for its sake
the wallet is mighty thin
To cater to your whistling whims >
… At least this week.
TY!
