| I was taught whistle making by the one and only Glenn Schultz, of Thin Weasel Woodwinds™. It was an exciting, and at times difficult adventure, and after more than 20 years, I’m still learning. I have been very pleased with the results and so have Busman whistle players worldwide! At present, I am making high C,D, and Eb whistles in a variety of beautiful hardwoods from around the world. I also make “D+” whistles. These are pitched like a D and are fingered identically except that they have a longer tube with an extra hole at the bottom end for a low C note. Once in a while, you come across a tune that just needs that note. Some people don’t want to spend much time and effort caring for fine wood. Wooden whistles are surprisingly durable and the care needed is really pretty minimal. However, I also make whistles to the identical design in black Acetal (generic Delrin) polymer. The finished whistle looks very much like African Blackwood. These whistles are ideal for whistlers who like to take their whistles to places where they might get wet or jostled around a lot– camping, kayaking, etc. They sound and play exactly like their natural wood siblings. The whistles’ metal fittings are either brass or stainless steel. The choice is purely cosmetic and has no effect on the sound of the whistle. Stainless will stay shiny, brass will acquire an antique patina. The whistles are tunable, using a brass tuning slide.I make every effort to insure that endangered woods are not used.I would like to thank my wonderful wife, Charlene, without whom this would not have been possible.  |
|