Hello all,
I’m thinking about buying a wooden whistle, and I wanted to open the floor for suggestions. I play mostly in an apartment – often after my children have gone to bed – so I need something on quiet end. And I tend to be drawn to mellow, chiffy sounding whistles, like Clarks.
I realize that these things are highly subjective. And that personal preferences are, well, personalized.
But nonetheless, fire away.
Thanks and best,
Joe
Fire one… https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/cp-whorfin-whistles/93373/1 read up on these
Fire two… https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/photos-of-your-collection/43878/196
Fire three… 
http://www.ozwhistles.com/
Each whistle plays exceptionally well, in tune, and exquisitely crafted… what more does one need!
Try that volley for starters. Enjoy! 
Take a look at Milligan whistles. He does delrin, various hardwoods, and Diamond wood (a laminate).
I have a D blackwood, lovely softish tone, a D delrin, a bit louder than the Blackwood but not obnoxious and a couple of Diamond wood (C and low A).
My band and session mates love them, although the delrin D can get a bit loud in a small session, 3-4 players. I really like the look and the tone of the Diamond wood whistles, although my absolute favorite is the blackwood. I do tend to leave it home when traveling though.
JD
Are you sure it’s a wooden whistle you’re looking for? Or, for that matter, a whistle at all? I don’t mean to be rude, but I do hear a lot of people list qualities they imagine wooden whistles have, overlooking the wide variety of non-wood whistles that (in my opinion) better capture the qualities stated. Wood whistles, at least in D that I have personal experience with, tend to be LOUD. Abells, Busmans, Milligans and Oz are veritable hand cannons I find out of place even in the largest of sessions I’ve been to. (Though that opinion may have to do with the skill of the players involved).
Anyway, diatribe over. I’d recomend a Carbony Narrow Bore (that’s important) Bb. Sweet, mellow, slightly breathy and plays like a dream. Most of all it’s quiet without seeming weak.
Drop down a couple of topics on this forum and you’ll see Whorfin wooden whistles for sale. As I mention there, I just bought two of them, and they are great whistles. Beautiful sound, easy transition between octaves, and won’t put a huge dent in your pocketbook. I also own several Milligans, a Setunsky, and an O’Brien Rover, so I’m not a shill for Chas; I’m just really impressed with his wooden whistles, and they’re available now. 
Is that Carbony a wood whistle??? As in the OP. And at almost double the cost of a WW.
Note that any whistle can be altered to play quieter.
And yes, check the Whorfin Whistles… definitely.
All – Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. Best, Joe
Never played or heard a Whorfin. I’d say the carbon fiber resin has far more in common with wood than with metal.
Friend of mine has a Bleazey high D,beautiful thing indeed but lot’s of faff with oiling, swabbing, storing, sending back once a year for ‘revoicing’ (translate: cleaning) and to my ears it’s no better than my Susato, in fact I’d say the Susato was better.
OMG! 
A quick wipe down inside and out oiling is hardly tasking.
What about the rockstar whistler publicity photos? Image. 
I know it isn’t the new hotness but I still love my little sweetheart D. Ralph does fantastic work.
The Sweetheart D really is a sweetheart and workhorse.
Hi joeryan
Are you in the Americas or in Europe? I could suggest makers like Phil Bleazey, Fred Rose, George Ormiston or Jon Swayne, if you live in Europe, but if you are across the pond then an American maker might be more economic for you.
David
Add to the list of European makers Roy McManus, Willy Simmons, and Simon Styles (Weston Whistles)
American Makers of Quality Wooden Whistles include Paul Busman, Gene Milligan, Charles Tarrio (Whorfin Whistles), Alex DeWilde (Hermit Hill Folk Instruments) , Chris Abell, Tommy Dion, David Boisvert.
Canadian David O’Brien also makes high-quality wooden whistles.
Any of the above can set you up with a high-quality wooden whistle. The most economical are the Whorfin Whistles (Charles Tarrio), Hermit Hill Folk Instruments Whistles (Alex DeWilde), and Weston Whistles (Simon Styles) all of which can be purchased new for under $200 US.
Function over form.
My experience with wooden whistles is very limited, but I’ve had several plastic and metal ones over the years.
Dunno where most of them went… hazards of moving every couple of years.
So far though, and I just got it in the mail today, I’m loving my new Whorfin whistle; it’s the bloodwood one on the cp thread.
She’s pretty! Tone is sweet. Tuning is good. Not terribly loud, but loud enough for me: if I want to need hearing protection while playing, I reach for my highland pipes!
Those are absolutely stunning whistles. Bravo!
I did a fair bit of research, lurking on these forums primarily, on whistle materials. I really really like the look & feel of wood. But I’ve decided on delrin for my first ‘high end’ due to environmental considerations. I don’t want to have to worry so much about leaving it in my truck for the day.
Gosh, those OZ whistles sure do make it hard to resist though.
Ben
