Hi folks, whats the situation with the sindt whistles. I had the chance to play one last year and loved it but was told that there not been made any longer. last week got the chance to to play the sindt again would really love one. Is there any point contacting John Sindt himself, and is there any word on when he might reopen his order book. Thanks Mark.
John Sindt makes a very nice whistle IMO. They are much sought after. You can search the forum for Sindt updates or status. Last word I have is that John is “catching up”. His waiting list is closed. He’ll open it up when he opens it up again AFAIK. Many competitive whistlers (or their parents (maybe teachers too)) seem to think they need a Sindt to hold their own in the competitions. The “vintage” Sindt market is a bit wild as a result.
Here’s a recent discussion on the state of the Sindt market. https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/sindt-prices/88057/1
Feadoggie
I contacted John via e-mail about a month or two back. He responded quickly, but let me know that he still has a wait list of over two years. He said when anyone inquires about one of his whistles, he places their e-mail on file by date of request. When he gets caught up on his back-orders he will begin to fill requests in chronological order as he works his way through inquiries date by date. I’ve got my request on file and hope to be surprised in two or three years when he lets me know my name has reached the top of the pile. Not encouraging for obtaining a Sindt any time soon, but if you’re willing to wait one may await you in the future.
John makes a super whistle and they are surely worth the wait! 
Cayden
Isn’t this de facto just another order book… a sequel, so to say? On this view, you already are on the list anyway.
I would presume that there’s a list that John has told people already that he’s going to make their whistles, and maybe given them a estimate on when they’ll be made, and then the other list which he hasn’t.
I would keep a saved search for Sindt on eBay - you never know when your luck will hit. Even if you don’t want to pay the going eBay rate, some people do list them with a reasonable buy it now option if you’re quick enough. Or just treat yourself with paying the auction rate. 
Good luck. They’re worth the wait from John, and they’re also worth the going eBay rate.
Exactly my thoughts.. what’s the point in building up a huge waiting list when there’s already… a huge waiting list 
It’s probably more a list of people who expressed an interest, to be contacted in due time to see if they are still interested in placing an order.
A friend of mine has a waiting list for pipes, stretching well beyond a reasonable expectation of retirement. If things reach that point you need to manage customers’ expectations and keep an eye on how many orders you will actually be able to fill. Remember John is in his seventies, I’d imagine he is trying to finish existing, accepted orders and keeps a list of interested parties without actually committing to an order until he can fulfill it, even if just to take the pressure off himself.
thanks for the feedback, guess I will have to join the queue then.
Every so many years, a bubble forms around a certain type of whistle–O’Riordan, then Copeland, and now it’s Sindt’s turn. They’re lovely whistles, but the Cillian O’Briain Improved and Gary Humphrey whistles I’ve tried have been just as good, and there’s no wait and no bubble.
This is from the Sindt entry on the (outdated) whistle list on the C&F website:
“It’s every bit as good as a Copeland, in my humble whistlin’ opinion. And for those of you who still think the Copeland is the Father of all whistles, go ahead, wait in line for a year, and pay 3 times as much. I’ll be a whistlin’ away on my Sindt. And loving it.”
File under: irony.
To each their own.
There are plenty of good whistles around, and then again, there are plenty of good whistles around.
If the laws of supply and demand or such that people will pay upward of $1000 US dollars per whistle 
; I say take advantage of that cash cow. Capitalize on the situation and expand your operation. Hire more people, bring in consultants, tweak your operation to expedite your assembly process.
But, I digress, the very fact that these devices are not being manufactured could be the very thing driving the price up. But, that wouldn’t explain why the whistle seems so be in such demand. If everyone wants one, I say give them one!!
In 1976 1.5 million pet rocks sold in the U.S. just out of popularity. Just like you can’t justify paying good money for a rock you get out of your drive-way, you could argue you can’t really justify overpaying for whistle either..
However, the reality is everything you buy is overpriced, it is just a matter of how much the markup is. Now if you’re a haggler, you will be willing to jabber jaw down to the last penny. But, what really matters is what people are willing to pay (not what it is worth).
If Mr. Sindt has no desire to expand his operation, I would propose the following. Offer a VIP clientele waiting list. IF you want to get to the top of list, pay for the position. The highest bidder gets the top spot. If someone is willing to pay $10,000 - $20,000 so they can get an authentic Sindt whistle in a couple days, I say give them the opportunity to do just that!! 
I have said it before and I’ll probably have to make the point a few times more: not everything is about how much money you can squeeze out of something. There actually a few people who make musical instruments because they love what they are doing and what they are doing is enabling musicians to play great music. The greatest reward is seeing a great player play good music on an instrument you’ve made for them.
That line of thought also results in bumping promising or good players up the list if the situation arises. Instead of the ones who arrive waving a wad of cash.
I’d like to see someone waving a wad of cash around, especially 10K or more… I might be moved to consider parting with a whistle.
Stateside people… MegaMillions on Friday is worth the $1 chance to wave around your own wad of cash. Good luck!
I just looked at my Sindts. And as far as I can tell, nothing in particular is happening with them.
MTGuru, sir, you are the master of the obvious and the literal.
Feadoggie
I just like to look at mine.
New forum members are often eerily like Jiu-Jitsu white belts …
Does this mean they’re just waiting around for a promising player?
Yeah, being new to the forum I prolly shouldn’t have rambled on and on expressing my opinion on the topic.. Also, It wasn’t very sensitive to those who are just craving to get their hands on the Sindt whistle. My apologies if anyone felt insulted.. My point focus was to emphasize how crazy the demand is.. Not to make someone feel bad for wanting one..
So yeah, I’m guilty of rambling on with my super newbie opinion. Oh well, I guess when it comes to the Sindt whistle it makes everyone a bit crazy, including myself 
So HIIII YAAAAHHH!!! 