Hi all,
I’m now giving much thought to [finally] ordering me a Busman whistle, and one of the more compelling decision points to be made is the wood type. I know that I want the stainless steel fittings, but does anyone have any suggestions as to the type of wood to get? Kingwood, cocobolo and tulipwood pop out at me right off the bat. I know everything will be subject to Paul’s availablility, but any feedback (and pictures 
) are more than welcome.
Thanks everybody!
Whatever Paul has available or in the works. He uses good timbers. The woods you list are all appropriate woods. I personally do not think that the wood matters very much as far as the sound and performance of the whistle is concerned. But each piece of wood is unique and a delight to see. I have two of Paul’s whistles, one olive one rosewood. They sound and play very much alike.
I see you are in Florida. I remember the effect that the Florida atmospherics had on many of my instruments when I lived there. I’d consider delrin.
Feadoggie
…what Feadoggie said, but here’s one in Boxwood I supplied to Paul 
Tell me about it, lol. My current whistle of choice is my Dixon polymer. I bought a duduk a few years ago; granted it’s much thicker, but I’ve been able to practice with wooden instrument care in this area.
(Paul, if you read this, I wish you many years of longevity and good health 
) I remember I put off getting a Thin Weasel, and then unfortunately it was too late. I want to grab my own Busman while the getting’s good 
I want to make a great-looking wood choice. Internet searches show cocobolo as being the most aesthetically pleasing. Let’s see what others have to say…
Narrowdog, I like the lightness of the boxwood with the stainless steel 
That boxwood whistle looks really familiar to me…like I’ve played it before or something. 
Nah, maybe I’m just getting old.
I own a couple of Busman whistles. Feadoggie is right on the money and Paul will say the same thing. Material is strictly up to you. It won’t affect the sound. Having said that, you’d never have to worry about Delrin in the humidity. I own cocobolo whistles by other makers and they do look nice but I imagine the olive wood is just stunning if it’s appearance you’re after. I’d ask Paul to send you some pics of blanks he has available. Many of these exotics have varying grain patterns.
ecohawk
I lived in Florida for 15 years (Tampa) and the humidity can certainly be problematic for wooden whistles: Either high humidity if you don’t use much AC, or extreme low humidity if you use central ac/heat. I experienced both. With that in mind, and after some discussion Glenn made a Thin weasel for me that was “French Polished” inside and out, and that was pretty much impervious to humidity changes, unlike my other wooden whistles. Not sure if Glenn taught Paul the process, but it’s work asking, as that would mean any wood should be fine.
Failing that, if it were me, I would ask Paul what wood he had that was most well seasoned, and of those, I’d go with A) The most dense if you tend to be mostly high humidity with regards to whistle storage or B) Less dense wood if your whistle’s living environment tends to be very low humidity. Less dense wood will be more prone to warpage in low humidity, but also less prone to cracking under extreme dry conditions. Conversely in a constant high humidity environment the less dense woods tend to absorb a lot of moisture and can swell quite a bit, particularly when playing. This can impact the tone and playability somewhat.
That said, I’ve gotten to the point that I’d probably go with Delrin, lol, since I am tired of dealing with humidity issues. However Paul makes some beautiful wooden whistles, so I’d still be tempted…
Well, here’s my Olivewood Busman.
Cocobolo is a very interesting wood. It’s certainly one of my favorites. I like turning it. The colors can be spectacular browns with streaks of reds and oranges just after turning. But it generally darkens with exposure to UV over time. I have a cocobolo Thin Weasel - mostly dark brown now but a really nice whistle nonetheless. Sounds like you want cocobolo to me.
Feadoggie
Thanks Shadow-- I intend to live forever. So far, so good (stolen from Steven Wright).
By all means contact me when you’re ready at brewerpaul “at” aol.com and we can discuss wood choices. Cocobolo is indeed a wonderful wood and it has a lot of natural oil within it so it’s very moisture resistant. It will indeed darken with age. My own once vividly streaked Eb is now an extremely dark uniform brown.
Paul, every time I see your whistles I drool as if I were looking at a big steak!
I’ll bet that works the other way around as well.
What, the whistles drool at riverman or riverman drools at steak like Busman whistles?
Oh my! That olivewood is just…stunning! Why did you have to show that to me?
ecohawk
This one…
Paul, every time I see a big steak I drool as if I were looking at your whistles!
Of course, for some there’s this variation as well…
Paul, every time I see a steak I drool as if I were looking at your big whistle!
But that’s a different topic for a different board. 
The problem with wooden whistles is that eventually you want to have one made in every fascinating timber you come across.
Feadoggie
Not to worry or fret. There is plenty of wood and wood whistle makers. 
co co .. O co co Boooowlo!!
The giuitar guys got hold of you becaause ebony went away!
Now you are famous and rare .. like Rebecca’s Friday.
O coco - O cocobolo .. so sweet and yet you make me sneeze
And all that stuff out of the jungle making all of us ashamed for our success. And just as sick.
You start out green so full of colour and yet you end up as black as us all.
What do we learn from you o mystic beauty>?
O a bit of wood … a bit of wood.
Just one bit and another and .. just one for the road.
Like this universe .. and the next. But .. there is no next.