My daughter ordered a whistle (handmade) from ethnic whistle months ago and the short version is…he has not delivered and has not paid us back and won’t even contact me now. I need a whistle maker who will deliver and who does good work. Can anyone suggest a few makers? She has some cheap whistles and really likes it.
I’m in the same situation as regards Ethnicwinds. I know they had some pretty serious issues last year – I think a fire in the shop or something of that nature. Anyway, I do think it’s beyond ridiculous that they can’t at the very least communicate with people who have commissioned work from them! There’s simply no excuse for that, and in my opinion, no matter how nice a whistle Mr Metcalf makes, I’m afraid I’ll be avoiding his business in future!
I still hold hold out the thinnest sliver of hope that a whistle will be forthcoming, especially given the notice on his webpage: Due to long wait times from orders piling up we are not currently taking orders. We will post a few things on Ebay when we can, but right now we are focussed on catching up on all the back orders. Thanks for your understanding. But am equally prepared to write off the money I paid him almost a year ago, as I have the distinct feeling that this “long wait time” is simply going to turn into “you ain’t getting a whistle nohow!”
Alright, that’s that!
As for your question, you are certainly opening a can of worms around here, as there really are a large number of fantastic whistlesmiths out there! Take a look first at the WMD thread up in the sticky section – the Whistle Makers Directory. Almost every name on there points to a fantastic maker who can really deliver the goods. Of course, the Directory seeks to name all names and thus also includes lower quality and mass produced whistles, which I gather your daughter has already.
Before extolling the virtues of my personal favorites, I’d invite you to search for threads extolling the virtues of your daughter’s el cheapo whistles! There are certainly some real bad eggs out there – and you don’t tell us what whistles she already has – but if she has a Clarke or a Feadog, then she already has a very nice whistle indeed! Certainly she might consider a “tweaked” whistle – one that’s been worked over to improve intonation and tuning – as an alternative to investing in an expensive whistle. Jerry Freeman tweaks Generation whistles to very good effect, and sells on Ebay at a reasonable price.
However, if she’s after a handmade whistle, I think you can hardly go wrong with Mack Hoover’s work. Nice simple design, good workmanship, very pleasing sound. I like his narrow bore whistles, because they’re sweet sounding and not terribly loud even up in to the stratospheric third octave. John Sindt also makes a very nice whistle, very pleasant sounding and pretty smooth through both octaves. Lastly, if you can find one, Mr Copeland makes a very fine whistle indeed. Very sweet sounding, though I like his low whistles much better than this high whistles. Hoover is very reasonably priced, very easy to work with, very communicative and does actually participate from time to time here on the Board. (I’ve commissioned whistles from him, so know from experience.) I’ve never worked with either of the others, and Mr Copeland is only making a few whistles for sale through Ebay.
Good luck with your search!
Almost every name on there points to a fantastic maker
Let’s please turn off the hyperbole. There is a great variety of whistles being made. Some will suit one person and some will suit another. Not all whistles are great and not all makers are great all the time or consistently great across a range of keys.
There’s nothing for it but to think what you want from a whistle and find a maker who can match your needs with an instrument. Buying any old whistle at all , or even whistles recommended on these forums, without careful considerations of the merits of the instrument and how they fit in with what you’re looking for in an instrument , only opens you up to disappointment. Been there, done that. To be honest, over the years I have have encountered more disappointing instruments than ones that suited me well. There have been whistles that were well made that didn’t suit me at all, there have been whistles that were not well made at all and some that should never have left the maker’s workshop. And, judging by the buy and sell forums, I am not alone in having those experiences.
In effect that means you’ll have to sit down with the instrument and play it, preferably before you buy but if that’s not possible your chosen maker will have to agree you have a trial period during which the whistle can be returned, no questions asked. If a maker doesn’t agree with such an arrangement, steer clear.
Well… it would be helpful to know which aspects of these whistles actually don’t satisfy her requirements then.
If its a handmade first class wooden whistle your looking for ,look no further than Roy McManus whistles in Belfast.
Easy to deal with quick turnaround excellent product.
You don’t mention the whistle(s) nor the experience level of your daughter playing. I’m now in the camp that says learn to play the whistle you already have. It takes practice, lots of it even on the most inexpensive whistles out there. Sure there are some dud whistles on the market, but, beginners expect miracles and often claim its the whistle when really, its the inexperience level of the player. Also, IME, beginners tend to over blow, fingering poorly covered holes, or let the frustration factor set in. One must really want to learn to play the whistle (any instrument) in order to get good sound. Find a local player, or even better, an instructor to help with playing issues.
Whistling ought to be fun. 
If her current whistles are basic music shop things, then a next logical step would be a Freeman tweaked whistle in the key or keys she needs/likes. Still inexpensive, but they’re excellent playing things and a good transition to the more expensive instruments that are out there.
Once you start to contemplate paying hundreds for a whistle you really want to try them. Some makers will allow you to try the whistle for a short time to make sure it’s a good fit. If it’s not for you, then you can return it. Of course going to a gathering/workshop/festival where there are multiple makers or shops present is even better as you can make direct comparisons.
Do whatever you can to encourage her…music is a lifetime activity. I know, I’m older than dirt. 
JD
Thanks. I agree she may not be ready but she earned and saved this money for the whistle and now that it is not forthcoming I feel some obligation to replace it. Crazy? ok…a fathers love.
Completely understandable…and very laudable, it’s what dads do.
It’s too bad that ever so often we find someone doing this kind of thing to their clients.
I had issues with Ethnic Winds a while back as well and won’t even consider one of his instruments although he did finally resolve everything to my satisfaction.
As I mentioned, look into Milligan whistles, I believe Gene will accept a return if the whistle doesn’t suit. Check with him to be sure as it’s been a while since I’ve ordered from him, but I’m about to order a Bflat diamond wood whistle to accommodate our singer who has suddenly started arranging her tunes in some really odd keys.
Another really fine whistle maker is Reynaldo Reyburn in Ashland Oregon. I have a couple of his low D whistles. He’s a real gentleman and very easy to communicate with.
JD
I would suggest if she likes her cheap whistles, consider a Killarney. They’re lovely players and are not over-priced (and they are usually posted off very quickly after ordering)
Seconded. Very reasonably priced, and one of the best whistles I’ve tried. (I’ve tried a lot.)
And there happens to be one just up for sale in the Used Instruments Exchange.
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/fs-killarney-d-whistle-sold/92563/1
Can’t agree more with this, I’ve tried many whistles some good some bad and I’ve come unstuck once or twice buying over the internet.
The Killarney is a very good whistle especially for €65, that said I did sell mine because it was sitting in the vase unused.
The latest whistle I’ve found to be a complete revelation is the Cheiftain high D. It’s not my first choice of a whistle and I’m certainly not going to recommend it to a newcomer,it’s taken some getting used to in tone, volume and the sheer amount of air it requires, but it does a very good job being heard with a group of 3 or 4 melodeons out doors and it’s not affected buy wind at all.
I don’t like recommending whistles to anyone because everyone’s needs are different but the OP mentioned she likes cheap type of whistle and yes those of us that are reasonably experienced can get a good sound from a off the shelf Generation, so here goes,
try a Freeman Tweaked Generation, I have a couple and use them for practice at home.
They’re not going to break the bank and will serve you well.
PM sent.
Almost every name on there points to a fantastic maker
Let’s please turn off the hyperbole. There is a great variety of whistles being made. Some will suit one person and some will suit another. Not all whistles are great and not all makers are great all the time or consistently great across a range of keys.
No hyperbole was intended at all – the simple fact of the matter is that “almost every name” on that list (and especially the ones most familiar to me) have been extolled in this very forum as making very fine whistles. Of course it goes without saying at all that not every whistle will suit every whistle player – but this is true of anything, not just whistles! Those are differences of player style and temperament more than of materials and craftsmanship.
the simple fact of the matter is that “almost every name” on that list (and especially the ones most familiar to me) have been extolled in this very forum as making very fine whistles.
Unfortunately some of the worst (and I do not mean unsuitable but literally ‘the worst’) whistles I have ever come across had their virtues extolled on these forums. It doesn’t really mean a lot what someone on the internet says, unless you know who is talking and what value can be attached to what they are saying. Serpent whistles for godsake were highly praised and staunchly defended when their maker frequented this place. Would anyone now go out of their way to buy one of those, or extoll their virtue?
If my experiences with these things are anything to go by, saying ‘Almost every name on there points to a fantastic maker’ is hyperbole of the first order. The list of makers is just that, an unprejudiced list of names of people who produce instruments of sorts AND have a website. It’s a collection of the good, the bad and the indifferent. Whistlemaking in all its varied splendor.
Exactly. Whoever thinks the C&F whistlemakers’ list is a “best of” list hasn’t been paying attention, and such misconceptions frankly surprise me after all the recent flurry we’ve had leading to its inception.
Do not - I repeat, do not - assume that the list is a C&F roster of endorsement. It is not. It is only an egalitarian directory, and from there we wash our hands and it’s caveat emptor. For our part we have already made this unassailably clear. C’mon, start actually reading content and get on the stick, folks.
- Mod.
The Killarney is a very good whistle at a great price. That said, the Whistle Shop tweaks the classic Clarke, and it’s my preferred whistle. The only other whistle I play is the Killarney, but it’s much more pure sounding compared to the Clarke. Horses for courses…either is great whistle, but the tweaked Clarke is 1/3rd the price.
Eric
Hi Ron,
I saw your post a few days ago, and was reticent to say anything. The reason for that is not anything to do with your sense of injustice, but my own risk in doing so. But .. well, life deserves the honest to speak - reticence is fear, and fear is the cloud that obscures life. .. please forgive my tardiness.
The Tin Leprechaun tells me a lot about honesty - more than I ever wanted to know .. but .. hey ho Follow on!
Here’s how it is with whistles: They are not really commodities .. every one of them, try as we might, will be itself .. not an iteration of a process. Even the humble Gen .. and there are mathematical principles about whistles that ensure this (can go into details if needed).
So I will treat this seriously and honestly - here’s the underlying truth about being a whistle maker:
There is no such thing as a whistle. There is only a thing as a whistle played. There is the whistle, and there is the player - they are a unit. That unit might be a generation whistle and Joe-Bloggs,
or a Vambrace and Mary Whatsit .. it does not matter - the combination is the thing ..not the parts.
Now that kind of thing does not have a place in modern commerce where value can be measured. The value of whistles cannot be measured because money is not a fine enough measure to detect it.
And yet - we all here experience that value .. so there is a gap in money-commerce.
That said - here are some rules for whistle makers:
Do not take deposits or pre-payment unless you have an unlimited army of minions/robots to throw into the deadline imperative of consumerist expectation (most companies spend a fortune for this - a single whistle maker cannot do it).
Better to only sell a physical object that is made and ready to mate with it’s player. And then wait for the mating before money can be involved. You, the maker, are after all, not much more than a match-maker. This is a tremendously difficult task to execute over the internet .. the internet is not as real as face-to-face humanity.
Ethnic has gotten himself into a bind.
Damnit .. I nearly got trapped by that myself - we artisans do not have social safety nets - we are flapping in the breeze .. and we had all better remember that and not get tempted into pretence of consumerist-supply .. we can never be that - the demand is not aligned in the same way that toilet paper is .. we are needed .. but we are not needed in the short term .. only for those who need music .. sure everyone does .. but music-starvation kills cultures .. not individuals .. the game is higher .. and finer . . and longer.
The servants of the high game must be true to the high, fine, long game. Consumerism is the lowest common denominator .. we must become better than it.
For ethnic .. I feel sorry he got trapped .. he must have some serious bad stuff going on there that we know nothing about. But I would urge him to trust his own honesty and take the hit - no thing is learned without a mistake. .. at best we see it coming and get it headed off .. but we are not always that agile ..
Ethnic: refund the man - take the hit .. it will go better for you to expose than to hide.
And whistlers are probably the most sympathetic bunch of people you can find .. I have found this to be true for me.
I really hope this helps.
We all need to look to our expectations. Some of them are not just. I count myself in your company - l’ve never stoped asking this. And whistles remind us (relentlessly).
I am more than happy to be shown my error in this. The Tin Leprechaun demands no less.