Chiff and Fipple Forums

Try wiping the whistle with a white paper towel and see if any residue comes off. Oil etc often gets used to manufacture tubing, and also during machining.If so, give it a good wash with dish washing soap and water. I'd think that many lacquers or polyurethanes are safe once they're fully cured. You...

Almost anything is possible,if not easy. How about some jazz? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8inPXiss5RU Bluegrass? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Kg_r4G4vI Classical? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZxgyf6yUgc Rock? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej0BB7_RyB0 Whatever you like listening to, gi...

To the original poster,I'd suggest not worrying about instrument material yet. I make wooden whistles so I have an axe to grind, but I'd still suggest that you get to an intermediate level of playing before starting to find another instrument of any material (assuming the beginner whistle you have i...

Listen a lot, then listen some more. Learn to whistle a simple tune (with your lips, not the instrument).When that's in your head it should be easier to get it into the whistle once you figure out which note to start it on. Since you can read music, learn one of the very simple tunes that you have s...

Patience, patience....life sometimes gets in the way of good intentions. I've sometimes told a customer that I'd ship a whistle in a day or so, only to get delayed by work,family issues, etc. It'll get there.
If you were having a custom whistle made, the wait would be months to years.

What kind of whistle are you playing? Some hit the high register easily, others take more oomph. If possible, have an experienced player test your whistle to see if it's playing properly.A bit of tonguing for the higher notes can sometimes help get them to speak without being excessively loud.Keep a...

I hope the whistle doesn't get snagged by customs in the UK
Rosewood is one of the CITES restricted woods. If Glenn put a date on it, it might pass having been made pre-CITES. It could well pass anyway.

Adding a bit of "tongueing" to get the high notes started helps. Instead of just huffing air into the whistle, use your tongue as if you were saying the letter T or D.Try this with your hand close in front of your mouth (no whistle) and you'll see what I mean. This gives a little added bur...

I agree that a low D should be enough to let a potential buyer know if he/she likes your whistle. Keeping weight down will keep shipping costs down. They can be ridiculously high shipping from country to country. If you really think you will have high D whistles ready by this summer, you might want ...

Shake out the body, blow out the windway. That's really all you can do. Well, you could blow it dry with a hair dryer I suppose but that's 'way overkill for an inexpensive instrument.Also, don't put it in a closed case. Let the air get at it to evaporate any remaining moisture. This has got me wonde...

I half hole a lot for Cnat. It's a really useful skill to learn because in addition to Cnat,it gives you the ability to play Bb,Fnat,G# etc.

I don't like speaking for others, especially those with experience in lathe-turned instruments, of which I have none. However, I bought a whistle from Paul Busman and he told me, in person, that he uses almond oil. His fipple plugs, however, are made from delrin and as such do not require oil finis...

You could use a water based polyurethane product designed for finishing wood. Apply it with a small brush. You might want to use several coats,letting them dry in between. After I made my last post I thought of another solution. Put some clear packing tape over the area that touches your lips, then ...

Blackwood is in the Rosewood family along with Tulipwood and Cocobolo. The whole family is pretty allergenic in a sensitive person. You could try coating the plug and thin rim that touches your lip with polyurethane. I've made one or two Cocobolo whistles for sensitive people.I did all the voicing a...

Maybe Paul Busman could add a thought or two also... Or Tommy, Whistles of Wood. Best wishes, Steve Glad to oblige. If you want a friction polish to be applied while the piece is spinning on the lathe, this is the one I use: https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/146/1996/Hut-Crystal-Coat It's easy t...