The sound is terrific. C natural is oxxooo. They are beautiful to look at. But the main reason I liked the Busman was the thickness of the tube. I have long fingers and find it easier to play the thicker whistles.

When I got my first Busman, I had only one reservation...I feared the wood. I had heard stories of how they can crack or split. You have to oil them, clean them...just really take care of them. Plus, there was the warm up time and the breaking in period for the new whistle.

When Paul showed me the Black Acetal Polymer, I knew that it was the right whistle for me. While it still needs to be warmed up like any whistle, all the other concerns were gone.

How does it play?

It is a Busman. It’s fantastic. Paul was kind enough to tweak it for me so that those high notes aren’t shrill. To me there is one simple test of a whistle’s ability. I must be able to play the tune Inner Light from Star Trek. If I can not only hit, but hold that third D, it’s a good whistle. The Busman Black Acetal Polymer is a good whistle!

How does it compare to others that I’ve played?

To me, it is not as loud as a Burke or Susato, but will certainly be heard in session.

It is louder, but not as pure a Sindt. It has just a tiny bit of breathiness or chiff, especially from middle D to the second G. At first, because I have played a Sindt for at least the last year, I wasn’t sure I would like that, but I think it adds to the character of the whistle now. Besides, if blown with a bit more attack, it lessens. And for the slow stuff, it’s a welcome addition.

The transition between octaves is easy. Like all the Busmans I’ve played, it requires a bit more push. Somehow, it doesn’t take more air, just more push.

There is certainly back pressure, but after the tweak, it was not enough to cause those high notes to be shrill.

It has a brass tuning slide which is a wonderful thing if you play in session.

The big question: How does it differ from the wooden whistles?

To my ear, there is no difference. It sounds just like Paul’s wooden whistles.

So to me, for my needs, the Black Acetal Polymer makes perfect sense. I don’t have to give it any special care, no oil, no swabbing out EVERY time. I don’t have to worry about humidity. I doubt I’d hurt it if I sat on it.

Overall, it’s a Busman. Same sound, same quality craftsmanship.

It’s just a lot more durable. It’s a Super Busman!

I have a feeling that when word gets around about the quality and durability, a lot of people will want one of these. Might even become the new standard for the industry.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take Paul as much time to produce them. There is no wait time in between steps. It still takes him the same amount of time to machine them though, so that’s why there is no difference in price. But I have to tell you, it does everything so well, it will probably be the only high D whistle you use. And because it will probably out live you, it may be the last one you buy.

Could this be an end to WHOA?

Not unless Paul starts making other keys.

Many thanks Paul. This is a fine whistle.

Review by PhilO: Just got it yesterday, so these are just first impressions. An elegantly simple or simply elegant look; I really like the look of stainless steel with the dark delrin and Paul's signature double turned bottom ferrule.

I put it through its test paces - up and down the scales switching octaves, the Derry Aire run from high D into high B, airs, reels, jigs, etc., Qwik Tune check...

Can be played easily both low and high volume in both octaves, doesn't flip too easily between octaves, requires some push to get to the second, has some nice pop when fingers hit tone holes, easily sustain notes without screeching in upper octave, decent bell note.

Looks lots like the Abell delrin. Seems to have less air and more brightness in tone than the Abell. The tone hole spacing and size and material (delrin) is pretty much the same and the differences appear in the head joint and mouthpiece - Busman head joint is longer, the mouthpiece is more typical than the "stubby" one on the Abell, the Busman blow hole (it's a whale of a whistle) is arced like the Abell but is much narrower; it is the narrowest I've seen, almost like a curved slit; the blade is wider and shorter than the Abell.

The tuning slide is brass (this bears the maker's initials and year) and perfectly fitted.

Added bonus is the practical and classy case made by Paul's wife - a small felt-like case with two compartments and an affixed tie.


If you need to travel with a really good whistle this one would be a good choice (I know, I'm starting to sound like Frommer's C&F).

I'm now going to go play this all day, so if there are any changes, like if it disintegrates or something I'll be sure to keep you all updated.

Review by BillG: Yowee -- Zoundz -- What a whistle! I just got my Black Acetal Polymer High D from Paul Busman - Brewer Paul - and what a delight! First, in tuneness is what it is all the way up and all the way down. Jumps the octave when YOU want it to as opposed to when IT wants to. He made it in TWO PIECES and it fits in your pocket/purse easily so you can take it anywhere. His wife made a lovely case - plyable material - to wrap it in and tie it together. He told me he reversed the tuning slide from the foot joint to the head joint making the foot joint shorter to be easier to fit into pocket/purse.

AND - I asked for a special design to a part, sent pictures and he made it just the way I wanted it. What a guy to work with!

Am I impressed, happy, pleased, ecstatic? You BETCHA!

Thanx Paul, for a great whistle and great service.

Review by John (jsluder):  The visual beauty of this whistle lies in its simplicity. The matte-black Black Acetal Polymer framed by the stainless steel fittings makes for a very elegant-looking instrument.  I've only played a couple of tunes on it so far, but it's sound is just as lovely as that of the maple whistle.  The Black Acetal Polymer whistle will definitely be my whistle of choice when traveling.