Chiff and Fipple Forums

I'm curious what the difference is between these two, other than the materials, obviously. I've read that the blacktop has fewer clogging problems, but then I've read of others who don't have clogging problems with the whitecap.

Is there much difference in sound quality?

Anyone have both, and would you recommend one over the other? Is the blacktop "worth" $20 more than the whitecap?

Also, on a related note, I have a Feadog, Generation, and Oak that I could use for a body. It seems that the Oak is popular for this. Should I just plan on using that one? Or, will I get a warmer tone with a brass barrel? I'd just as soon use a $5 Gen as a $10 Oak if they're both just as "in tune".

I guess the question is, which of these three is known best for good intonation? Or, is there another cheapie I should use instead?

And I will probably email Mack with specific questions. I just wanted to get the forum's thoughts.

Thanks,
Jason

I got a whitecap that works well on both Walton and Feadog -transforms them into much better players it seems. i'm still new but this my experience. Mack will give you good advice. i haven't tried his blackcaps yet but you bet they will be high quality!

Jason Paul wrote:I'm curious what the difference is between these two, other than the materials, obviously. I've read that the blacktop has fewer clogging problems, but then I've read of others who don't have clogging problems with the whitecap.

I have yet to get a blacktop, but I really need to, since I gave away
my whitecap/Generation, which was great. The whitetop clogged for
me constantly, so the difference would be worth it to me.

Jason Paul wrote:Also, on a related note, I have a Feadog, Generation, and Oak that I could use for a body. It seems that the Oak is popular for this. Should I just plan on using that one? Or, will I get a warmer tone with a brass barrel? I'd just as soon use a $5 Gen as a $10 Oak if they're both just as "in tune".

Try them all. It's easy to change bodies... experiment and see which
you like the best. I ended up preferring my nickel Generation body
to the brass Feadog, but that was just me.

Bear in mind that Mack makes both loud and quiet models of both black and white caps.

I like my 2 year old whitecap better than my recent blackcap. Both are of the louder variety. My blackcap is not a darker sound than the whitecap. I would say it is brighter sounding.

It would really interesting to know how recent whitecaps compare to recent blacktops.

Oreo

I've got two whitecaps, one which is on an Oak tube that Mack made several years ago, and which is an incredibly sweet whistle, and one which is on one of Mack's own tubes, made about a year ago, which is an extremely good whistle--it's got the sweetness of his earlier work, with more backpressure and a bit more volume.

Neither one of these are his ultra-quiet models; these are both whisltes that would work just fine in all but the largest sessions.

I've never had clogging problems on either whistle.

I've tried some of his early blacktops and found them quite good, a slightly less pure sound, with a bit more depth and character.

I don't think you'd go wrong either way.

In my experience, Mack is an extremely nice guy and a very talented maker; he'll work with you if you tell him what specifically you're after.

--James

Thanks for the information.

I ended up ordering a Whitecap and plan to put it on an Oak body.

BTW James, it was the recordings of yours that helped with the final decision. I have a Generation and a Feadog, so the "traditional" chiffy sound is covered. For this one, I wanted sweet and pure, and the Whitecap on Oak sounds like just what I'm looking for.

Thanks,
Jason

I have a Whitecap Oak and a Whitecap Gen brass, and I use think the Gen is a little quieter and warmer. It's my number one practice whistle.