aluminum whistle "lip buzz"

skywatcher · Post by **skywatcher** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 4:40 pm

Hey!
I was wondering if anyone has experienced with aluminum whistles what I call a "lip buzz"? Whenever I play an aluminum whistle,
my lips and mouth tingle. It isn't painful, but isn't comfortable, either. I wonder if it is some kind of galvanic shock reacting with my silver fillings and gold crowns. I have a brass whistle that I play all the time
with no reaction whatsoever.
Any ideas? Thanks!

garycrosby · Post by **garycrosby** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 5:06 pm

I have an aluminum Chieftain that doesn't give me a "buzz" (I actually might like that) but I really don't care for the taste of aluminum. I did find a solution - there is this stuff that some people (who have sensitivities to metals) use to coat metal earrings and other metal jewellry. I don't have the name handy of the product handy at the moment (because I'm at work) but you can buy a small bottle at any jewellry store. I coat the mouthpice of my whistle every few weeks or so.

McHaffie · Post by **McHaffie** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 6:07 am

One other option is go down to your local hardware store, pick up some 'rubber dip' (I'm sure there's a better name for it, but that's basically what it is)

I use black, since it is the most attractive of the colors offered. It's used to dip the handles of your pliers, cutters, etc. so they are insulated and easier to grip.

DO NOT ACTUALLY DIP YOUR MOUTHPIECE!!! you will get rubber on the inside of the windway and ruin it. All you do is get a small paintbrush, and coat the outside of the mouthpiece. You'll have to coat it about twice, and it's pretty darn permanent. works great.

It all depends on whether you're willing to alter the look of your mouthpiece or not.
I thought it looked rather cool on one of the whistles I bought.

Take care!
John

[ This Message was edited by: McHaffie on 2001-08-10 08:08 ]

[ This Message was edited by: McHaffie on 2001-08-10 08:08 ]

mike.r · Post by **mike.r** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 12:14 pm

You could try coating the mouthpiece with super glue.The smallest container with the little brush is best as its realy thin.Dont worry,when its dry its not toxic and has an absolutely neutral taste. I coated the wood block on my Shaw with this to prevent swelling and it looks great.When polished it has the appearance of laquer.Extreme caution must be observed with this stuff -the fumes are toxic in its liquid state and i`d recomend doing a practice run on a scrap piece of metal first and of course avoid getting any in the airway and wait until it drys before you play it! Good luck. Mike

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 2:54 pm

Hi Mike,

I wen ahed an took your adwice bevore readig your entire post. It themes to wok, but there are thome nasthy thide evects. Any help would be appreciated?

<img src="http://www.tullberg.com/lip.jpg">

Erik

Mack.Hoover · Post by **Mack.Hoover** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 3:23 pm

Erik!

Super glue stories are strictly forbidden! But let me tell one first. I was...
I can't!

Actually, I can't stop laughing at Erik's and I couldn't top it anyway.

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 3:37 pm

Ha! Good one Erik!

Now, I'm sure Colin has a tool somewhere in the shop that'll remove you from the whistle - but I suspect it's gonna hurt a little =;^)

TonyHiggins · Post by **TonyHiggins** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 4:41 pm

Yeah. Jim Rementer says not to use a pliers to grip the whistle. But, it will probably still hurt. (You don't want to mess up the whistle.)

I just had this mental picture of your whistle over the fireplace with a pair of lips attached. Weird. That makes me think of you with no lips. Hmm...Not pretty.
Tony

_________________
<a href="http://mchaffiewhistles.com/clipsnip/ne ... tml">Clips and Snips Newspage</a>
"When you make it to the top of the mountain, keep on climbing." -Zen saying

[ This Message was edited by: TonyHiggins on 2001-08-10 18:41 ]

[ This Message was edited by: TonyHiggins on 2001-08-10 18:46 ]

mike.r · Post by **mike.r** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 4:58 pm

Hi Eric, well,you could try a few slow airs and a couple of hornpipes on the straßenbahn on the way to work and a few lively polkas on the u-bahn for the trip home. Definately jigs and reels for the abend session and guiness is the only non toxic(well,almost)solvent that´ll get you unstuck - takes about a week.Sorry for the inconvenience. cheers! Mike

Cinead · Post by **Cinead** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 6:10 pm

Erik,

Nailpolish remover.

Works on everything.

LKtz · Post by **LKtz** » Fri Aug 10, 2001 9:40 pm

please don't tell me that you super glued your mouth to your whistle...I knew people on this board loved whistle but I never realised that someone would go that far

Caryn