Chiff and Fipple Forums

Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUmQgVIQsGg At first glance it looks like a Goldie but check out the holes? What is it and what key?

Mikethebook wrote:Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUmQgVIQsGg At first glance it looks like a Goldie but check out the holes? What is it and what key?

Interesting. Could be tuning rings or (rather low) chimneys. Or simply decorative.

Couldn't find anything about the whistle itself, though I guess you could pop on down to London next month and ask?

Don't understand. Is Calum Stewart playing in London?

Mikethebook wrote:Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUmQgVIQsGg At first glance it looks like a Goldie but check out the holes? What is it and what key?

Nice music. Thanks for the link. Now I'm going to have buy a CD.

I looked at the whistle and do not know what brand it is. I think maybe the two raised tone holes give stregth to the low end?

I also watched the next tune with Calum Stewart playing what looks like a Goldie?

Yes, that was a Goldie, I think, possibly an A. Here's Calum Stewart playing the mystery whistle so it's probably his and it looks like a Low D. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBLPNFUxdAc. This also from the new album.

Mikethebook wrote:Don't understand. Is Calum Stewart playing in London?

Indeed!

http://www.heathstreet.org/events/calum ... uary-2018/

Ten quid gets all your questions answered!

Here's my theory: the whistle was originally made with offset holes, but somebody wanted inline holes, so they put rings/collars on to seal the original holes, and new inline holes were drilled.

It's those two holes which are offset sometimes, to customer's order.

I've encountered a number of old Overtons over the years with strange hole configurations, it's why that possibility came to mind.

I retro-fitted a whistle once with a tuning slide using similar tubing one telescoping size larger. It would be easy enough, and very inexpensive, to move fingerholes that way. Though I myself would probably have bought a new whistle-body from the maker (though if it's a vintage Overton that's not an option).

Is it just me or is the whistle inaudible?

pancelticpiper wrote: Is it just me or is the whistle inaudible?

I spent a while looking for the mic, and I still don't see one. It's probably artfully hidden somewhere, but put a set of pipes next to a low whistle and the pipes will beat it out anytime. I can just barely make the whistle out if I concentrate on it, and only really in the upper octave.

pancelticpiper wrote:Here's my theory: the whistle was originally made with offset holes, but somebody wanted inline holes, so they put rings/collars on to seal the original holes, and new inline holes were drilled.

It's those two holes which are offset sometimes, to customer's order.

I've encountered a number of old Overtons over the years with strange hole configurations, it's why that possibility came to mind.

I retro-fitted a whistle once with a tuning slide using similar tubing one telescoping size larger. It would be easy enough, and very inexpensive, to move fingerholes that way. Though I myself would probably have bought a new whistle-body from the maker (though if it's a vintage Overton that's not an option).

Is it just me or is the whistle inaudible?

Not just you, I can barely hear it.

My theory is the raised holes are for quick fingering location and strengthening particular notes. I too have difficulty hearing whistle well.

Putting a collar around a hole then drilling through a double thickness would make the chimney twice as high, which I don't think would strengthen the note.

In my experience making the walls of a woodwind thicker gives the notes coming out of the holes darker and softer. That's the last thing you would want from Holes 3 and 6, which are the most out-of-position from the standpoint of acoustics, already the darkest and softest notes.

Until the person who did the modification explains, I'll stick to my theory that it was a matter of resizing and/or repositioning those holes. I wonder if the modification was done by the present owner, or some previous owner.

I’ve seen something similar on Gary Somers aluminium flute.
He says it’s to strengthen the E I think.

“A thicker wall on the bottom hole reinforces the E note.”

http://somers-flutes.com/aluminium-flute-delrin-head

Mystery solved. The whistle is a one-off small bore low D made by Colin Goldie for Calum Stewart who had requirements regarding playability and the strengthening of certain notes. That is the end result.

Tommy wrote: I think maybe the two raised tone holes give stregth to the low end?

Yes, that is what Tommy Said.

Tommy wrote:

Tommy wrote: I think maybe the two raised tone holes give stregth to the low end?

Yes, that is what Tommy Said.

Nicely said, and you ought to know!