A couple of months back I sold some whistles, but kept a bit back to buy an Elf Song and it arrived at the weekend!
As you may know I’m the world’s biggest fan of the Rose blackwood, but I’m not the world’s biggest fan of taking it travelling with me, so I’ve been on the prowl for a metal (read: durable), decent quality “travelling” whistle. It’s been a problem, because while I believe I’ll never match the Rose and am okay with that, I do at least wish to get close in sound; i.e. sweet, pure, good volume, little/no breathiness, responsive, tonally accurate, etc.
I started with the Dixon brass slide, and that has continued to be my “fallback” whistle, but it is not lasting the pace with the tuning slide loosening up and overall lacking durability; good tone though.
Next was the Sindt, but returned the same day - great whistle, but way too breathy for my taste. I loved its look and quality, but knew immediately I’d never settle for the sound.
Then (following several recommendations) I went for the Burke DAS AlPro. Again, excellent whistle, beautiful engineering - but I did find it a bit weak, particularly bottom D & E. The crunch came after a couple of hours when I picked up the Dixon and found the tone stronger and purer; so the Burke would’ve ended up gathering dust.
All the Elfsong rave reviews got to me, so I contacted Sandy just before Xmas, and here it is! I went for the polished copper with polished brass head - therefore very shiny (I just love “shiny” being a Leo). I was surprised by how “squat” it appeared - seemingly short for the width of the tube, with fairly large holes but a particularly small F# hole. In fact the holes seemed close to each other, but in comparing to other whistles they’re about the same (the gap between the G and F# holes is smaller, so your hands sit a bit closer to each other. Not a drama). I also found it fairly heavy in comparison, something I like a lot; not as heavy as the Sindt, but also not head-heavy like the Sindt (but heavier than the Burke, understandable as that’s aluminium).
Now the sound. Instantly responsive, pure, no breathiness, good volume, rather more mellow than “sweet” (I think that’s to do with a wider bore; I get the feeling that a narrower bore gives a sweeter sound). I’ve now played it quite a bit and like it more and more; I’ve gone back to the Dixon a couple of times, and guess what? I prefer the Elfsong! Then I got out the Rose and was amazed to discover that the sound is very similar - the same responsiveness and purity with the same tonal quality (the Rose still pips it and has a tad more volume, but hey…)
Then I realised - my search is OVER! I’ve found it, the metal travelling whistle I’ve been looking for!
Some extra points: I like the long beak on the Elfsong and the plug is quite thick rather than being flush with the curve of the mouthpiece - this actually makes it more comfortable in the mouth. It looks lovely, but the engineering of the Sindts and Burkes is a bit better IMO. The head/body fit is tight and do-able, but is better done with the other two. Tonally, she’s spot on, though needs to be given some welly in the upper register to prevent going a touch flat - but that gives a strong balanced tone, and is a plus. OXXOOO CNat is fine if not quite spot on (but sounds perfectly okay). The finish is excellent, and the varnishing gives me the sense that the durability I’ve been seeking is there big time.
Finally, and to reiterate what so many others have said, Sandy’s service is outstanding. She was always very helpful and responsive, and produced what I asked for right on cue. She also made a whistle that would be responsive, pure and sounding as I described what I wanted from a whistle (so mine may not be Elfsong “standard”). What’s more, ordering in December meant I got the free CD offer - and it’s a good CD. Thank you Sandy!
Overall, I’m very very pleased and cannot praise Sandy enough! She’s planning a low D later this year, so that will be very interesting…
Nick
And we won’t be relying on drunken Germans to confirm our good taste.
