You probably already know this, but here goes.
I recently noticed that The Whistle Shop is offering Clarke originals in the “original” unpainted tin. I am a bit of a traditionalist, and I wanted to be able to show people what the original “tin pennywhistle” looked like, so I ordered one in C.
However, it requries three lungsful of air to play a Clarke original in C, so it was displayed much more than played.
Now my wife has been collecting those freebie credit cards that come in the mail offering you a REAL one. You know, the ones that say, “your name here.” She kept them as evidence of corporate America’s frantic attempts to enslave us. She has quite a stack now.
From info I got on Chiff and Fipple, that most famous and informative of all whistle sites, I took a transparent card, cut it with sissors to size, then shoved it into the top arch of the Clarke, so that its tension kept it up against the top, matching its curve.
Voila! The Clarke now takes less air! There’s quite a difference! It’s fun–and free! Try it!
Might we please see photos of this interesting treatment? 
You could, but I don’t know how to put photos on computers. I tried opening up the little drawer and putting a snapshot inside, but it just sat in there…
well… there’s http://xs.to/ free image hosting, but you have to have digital images.
THANKS!
I always wanted to put pictures on like you all do. I do have a digital camera, but just got it and don’t know much about using it yet. In the meantime, imagine bending a playing card, like when you shuffle. Then imagine fitting it into an arch which is slightly shorter than the playing card. It would just stay there, up against the top of the arch. That’s what I did with my Clarke original and the piece of “free” credit card. It’s too thick to vibrate, and it doesn’t have to be glued. Also, it’s invisible under the tin, except for the very end (which goes in your mouth anyway)!!
A great program that is not expensive (even has a 30 day free trial period, I believe) is QuickePicsV3 http://www.missionpeaksoftware.com/download.htm
It allows you to crop, adjust colors, and diminish file size on photos easily. Very handy!
I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Clarke traditional fan, but I agree they usually take way too much air when they come out of the package.
Also along the line of “you probably already know this:”
When I get a new Clarke, I gently press the top of the windway in towards the block, a bit at a time, until I get the sound I like, with good balance between octaves. Mash it too far, and all you have to do is slide a thin screwdriver or nail file in and push it back out a bit.
Inexact, to be sure, but I can’t help myself!
Blessings,
Mark
Mark, I did that with my Clarke Original in D–but I find this new way doesn’t interfere with the looks of the whistle.
I will have to try out this “credit card” approach. I have done something similar with balsa wood. I didn’t want to hijack this post, so I have started a new one under the heading “Clarke - reversible tweak / mute”.
Markbell I had already pressed down the windway of my Clarke D, but after your post I looked at it again and found I had pressed it down TOO far (I’m a newbie), I lifted it up a it, and made the sound much clearer, and the looks of the whistle aren’t marred.
In short, I think I like your way better than MY way!