So I live in Edmonton, and I’d like to buy a low D whistle of some variety. Unfortunately, I get blank stares (in person. Awkward silence on the phone.) from instrument vendors 'round these parts. (Mind you I’m new here…) Are there any good Canadian online retailers, or am I best off looking south of the border?
Regards,
Dan
South of the border is the way to go, unfortunately, as far as I can see. Just be careful of UPS as they will hold you hostage for various “fees” above and beyond the GST and duties you’d expect to pay. If you arrange to have it shipped USPS, you’ll be much better off.
I, and countless others, I hear, have had excellent mail order service from the http://www.whistleshop.com and would recommend it highly.
One to avoid, based on my experience and that of others (do a search on this board to see some ghastly stories), is House of Musical Traditions.
And, last but not least, the mail order whistle acquirer in me will remind you to place a massive order of numerous whistles at once so as to water down your mailing fees!
Jef
I bought a Howard low ‘D’ from “Tony’s Music Box” In Fredericton, NB. I’ll try and find out if they do mail order. I got a good deal on the whistle, because the guy who sold it to me felt guilty about not knowing what it was!
Cheers,
S.
Just to echo the previous message…avoid UPS like the plague!!! And i too have had wonderful service from the Whistle Shop. you can phone using their 800 number and talk to the owner, Tom i think it is, and get advice before purchasing.
liz in Toronto
Here you can read about another good](http://www.stopftaa.org/organize/org_naftacort.html%22%3Egood) reason for Canadians to boycott UPS.
Thanks all so much for the input; Stef, don’t worry about Tony’s doing mail order, I have a sister in Fredericton. (I used to live there myself; went to UNB.)
Warm regards to all,
Dan
Thanks for the article Stevie - funny how “free” trade often works in only one direction!
I can only add my experiences and say never, never use UPS to Canada! You will end up paying more than 30% in brokerage fees, on top of 7% GST plus shipping cost.
A $100US whistle will end up costing you well over $200 Cdn
$154Cdn for the whistle
$11 GST
$50 UPS brokerage fee
plus shipping costs
Highway robbery I say!
Yikes… That’s unreal.
I’m sure you’ll all be pleased to know I’ve got a Dixon Low D Duo on the way via USPS AIRMAIL. Many thanks for saving me money.
Now I just have to wait for it to get here!!
Dan
Heya,
I’ve also heard that a very good whistle maker lives in Ontario and is making low whistles. He’s learned whistle-making with (and not from!) Copeland. Actually, the whistle is very Copeland-alike, as I tried it about a year ago. Could find more info if you’re interested…
I would be very interested in an Ontario made low ‘d’ if you could find out more. I wonder if we could get them in Tim Horton’s colors:-)
Stef.
I too would be interested in hearing of this Ontario whistle maker…Actually I am surprised I have not heard of him.
I think the whistle maker Azalin is referring to must be John Bishop. The resemblance between his whistles and Michael Copeland’s generated a bit of controversy in this](http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?topic=1552&forum=1%22%3Ethis) thread.
According to the web pages I was able to find John Bishop lives in Newfoundland and plays whistle in a band with the interesting name of Snotty Var. He did an apprenticeship with Copeland.
http://www.blueskiesink.com/gan_ainm/bish.htm
http://www.kelticnations.com/catalogue/instruments/low_d.htm
http://www.singsong.nfld.com/cdsnottyvar.htm
Steve
And of course there’s the O’Grady whistle made in Newfoundland. Dunno where to buy it up north, but we have it at Song of the Sea.
http://www.songsea.com/tinwhist.htm#ogrady
Here’s a mini review:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?topic=273&forum=1
Geeze, Bishop isnt in Ontario… Oh well, at least he’s in Canada, I wasnt that far away!
On 2002-02-07 13:36, Azalin wrote:
Geeze, Bishop isnt in Ontario… Oh well, at least he’s in Canada, I wasnt that far away!
No, not far at all. Once I was talking to a man in the US who said “Canada-that’s up by Niagra Falls, isn’t it?”
Steve
On 2002-02-07 10:51, joeln wrote:
And of course there’s the O’Grady whistle made in Newfoundland. Dunno where to buy it up north,
Straight from Neil, as it turns out. (I bought one of his tweaked Clares; pretty unremarkable. Not bad, just not good.)
No, not far at all. Once I was talking to a man in the US who said “Canada-that’s up by Niagra Falls, isn’t it?”
That’s funny. I also had someone in the US ask me if I was from the French part or the American part of Canada.
Cheers
Gerry
Actually, an irish girl once told me that she didnt understand the difference between an american, an english-speaking canadian and a french canadian… Wow, what can you answer to that? 
Hmmm… It sounds like a joke that needs a punchline. Suggestions?