Taking aside preferences, I think these facts apply for most (unless you’re so rich you don’t realize it):
On 2002-10-31 03:00, Caoimhin wrote:
Taking aside preferences, I think these facts apply for most (unless you’re so rich you don’t realize it):
- Cheapies are good for tweaking because they have room for it
- Non-cheapies are usually tweaked-to-the-max-or-so
- You WOULDN’T want to destroy a Copeland, would you? Or, should we say, a Riordan which you waited, hmm, how long?
Quite so. I think if I tried to tweak a Copeland, I’d turn it into a not very good Generation. Anyone who is capable of improving a high-end whistle through tweaking could have made their own from scratch. Well, I’m not a whistle maker but I’d be surprised if that weren’t true.
A year or so ago, I decided to get rid of all the whistles, fifes, flutes and piccolos I had that I didn’t play regularly. The plan I had was to put any proceeds aside, and when I was done, have a superfife made for myself.
I didn’t do it all at once. I picked a few whistles that hadn’t seen action in years and sold them off, then a couple of months later sold some more, along with a flute and a fife. Over the summer, I sent out the last of the dust collectors. This was not my original intent, but I now find that I have no high end whistles left!
This is not to say that I don’t think expensive whistles have their place. I think it says that I’m still searching for the perfect whistle, and the expensive ones I tried weren’t that much closer than the cheap ones. I haven’t tried an Overton yet, though, so I ordered one. You may see it for sale here in a year or so!
By the way, the superfife is going to be delivered in a month or so! It’s being made by Hammy Hamilton.
–quote–
A year or so ago, I decided to get rid of all the whistles, fifes, flutes and piccolos I had that I didn’t play regularly. The plan I had was to put any proceeds aside, and when I was done, have a superfife made for myself.
I didn’t do it all at once. I picked a few whistles that hadn’t seen action in years and sold them off, then a couple of months later sold some more, along with a flute and a fife. Over the summer, I sent out the last of the dust collectors. This was not my original intent, but I now find that I have no high end whistles left!
–endquote
So what flutes and whistles are you left with? Inquiring minds wanna know…
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
I have only 1 flute: an Olwell bamboo D. Since I’m only an occasional flute dabbler and never play flute outside the house that’s all I need for now.
5 whistles: the Dixon B flat, which is my main solo/practice whistle, a 20 year old Soodlums D, which is my main D whistle, a Meg D, a Waltons C, a Thom Larson tweaked Clarke D and a 30 year old Clarke Original C. The Clarkes aren’t getting much use, but I won’t be selling them. The C was my first whistle, and was a gift from my since departed grandmother. It seems like only about 10% of the air I push through it goes toward making a musical sound. The D was a great whistle for about 3 years, but the sound from it seems to be deteriorating now. I’ve heard a few people say that the Clarke D has a limited life span. That seems to be the case with mine.
6 fifes: Two Wilson Woods John McDonagh Regimental models (a 6-hole and an 11-hole), a black plastic Cooperman, a persimmon Cooperman I had to take away from a student because it was such a lousy fife. I was going to sell that, but I got to worrying about my karma. I’m using it for a wall decoration now, next to an antique accordian I found in a pawn shop. Then I have 2 antique Cloos fifes - a two piece grenadilla dating back to the pre-Civil War era and a one piece Ebony made around 1920.
This thread inspired me to put away all my whistles except a Generation D. (The only tweaking was to put a little blue tack into the cavity and (ever so gently) apply a dull fingernail file to the blade to eliminate gross irregularities.) I must say that it plays as easily as any whistle in my collection, and the tone, while not particularly strong, is very bright and cheerful. If I were stranded on a desert island with only this whistle, I would be more than satisfied. It could easily become my favorite whistle. (We’ll see.)
–quote–
This thread inspired me to put away all my whistles except a Generation D […] I must say that it plays as easily as any whistle in my collection, and the tone, while not particularly strong, is very bright and cheerful. If I were stranded on a desert island with only this whistle, I would be more than satisfied. It could easily become my favorite whistle.
–endquote–
My most frequently played whistles (at home) these days are my Oak, followed closely by my redtop Gen D and my tweaked-up Guinness.
Also getting frequent play are the Dixon, the Susato VSB, the Waltons Mello D, and the Acorn, and the tweaked-up Feadog D.
For performing, the Susato, the Cronnolly, and the Sweet Killourhy D steal the show.
Also some tunes work better on one whistle, some on another.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
On 2002-10-30 17:37, TonyHiggins wrote:
I’ve found the best results are when I play with my mouth, preferences aside. (Better air control.)
Tony
To right, it’s not just a case of stick the thing in and blow it, even with whistles.
Wizzy
On 2002-11-04 03:38, wizzy wrote:
To right, it’s not just a case of stick the thing in and blow it, even with whistles.
Wizzy
Wasn’t it : “You know how to whistle, don’t you ? Just press your lips together and… Blow.”
Loren, correct me if I misquoted you. 
Bogey
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-11-04 04:52 ]