Hi! First post…
I play mostly susatos, but have shaws and a lovely Alba low D. I recently treated myself to a new Chieftain high E whistle which has a beautiful tone, but seems to water clog very easily even when well warmed up (requires “clearing” less than every thirty seconds or so even at slow airs).
Can anyone tell me if this is normal, or if there is a way round this as its putting me off a little (I’m now back playing my susato E for the mean time).
I hope its ok mentioning whistle names, but I figure its easier for you to comment if you know what I am using.
I had a similar challenge with my Overton low D. Get some Jet Dry at the grocery store … it’s a liquid that’s added to a dishwasher cycle to help the water run cleanly off the glasses. Mix it in a cup with some water. I made the mix kind of strong, but you can experiment. Immerse the whistle head in the cup so that the liquid can coat the windway. Wipe of the outside of the whistle to get rid of the Jet Dry taste.
This helped me a lot. You’ll have to repeat the procedure after a while, as the Jet Dry gets washed away by condensation.
Thanks Lisa for the helpful tip, I’ll give it a go as I’d like to keep playing it (the tone is beautiful). Must remember to wipe the outside of the beak though…
Jason, I think that may be normal - I have a Chieftain high Bb with the same problem.
Sounds lovely, very well-behaved, but even when I warm it up thoroughly I’m lucky if I can make it through a single tune without clogging - and I don’t think I’ve ever made it all the way through a set.
What helps, some, is a little dishwashing liquid in water, applied as LisaD suggests. I’m going to try Jet Dry, though - it sounds like it does a better job.
Recorder folks use something called Duponol (which I think may be sold under a brand name something along the lines of AntiCondens). I use it for my whistles, as it does the same thing as Jet Dry without the taste or lip/tongue numbness
It’s like $3.00 US for a bottle with a few fluid ounces in it…mine will likely last years.
