Chiff and Fipple Forums

I can't identify some of these instruments... I see what looks like two whistles (one high {of carbon fiber or a material that is supposed to look like same}, one low, but what's the protrusion at the bottom of the low one? Susato-type key?) but the other three have me stumped. I had wondered if one was a chalumeau, but it doesn't look like any chalumeau I've seen, as far as the finger holes-- what's the hole all by itself at the top? Why does it appear there are four holes for the left (top) hand and only three for the right (bottom)? The other two have me completely stumped... if they're some kind of transverse pipes/piccolos, I don't see an embouchure hole. I see what could be an embouchure or windway (if it's end-blown) hole on the bamboo-looking one, but it's partly covered with a string winding; and there appear to only be five fingering holes (not unheard-of, but unusual). I would think those two might just be decorative flute-shaped objects, except they don't even really look like other decorative flute-shaped objects I've seen...

I was half-tempted to try to buy them to find out! In case I ended up with something cool. Just, I don't have the spare cash right now for that kind of curiosity (or to risk on ending up with junk). But maybe they look familiar to someone here?

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/84381448

The link is no longer working unfortunately.

Sedi wrote:The link is no longer working unfortunately.

Works for me.

I see a bunch of different stuff, there: 2 whistles for sure (maybe 3, but I can't tell what it is), a bamboo or cane flute (I think it's a flute, but the wrapping's going to interfere with playing it), and what I'm guessing is a chalumeau.

As for the projection, I don't know if you mean the removable thumb rest, or that lateral something closer to the bell.

Anyway, that's as good as I've got. The photographer didn't do the viewer any favors.

The carbon fiber whistle looks like one of Erik the Flutemakers. It's got the signature Susato mouthpiece.
https://eriktheflutemaker.com/products/ ... rbon-fiber

That one alone sells for $150 new, if you're looking for an Erik the Flutemaker whistle.

Nanohedron wrote:

Sedi wrote:The link is no longer working unfortunately.

Works for me.

I see a bunch of different stuff, there: 2 whistles for sure (maybe 3, but I can't tell what it is), a bamboo or cane flute (I think it's a flute, but the wrapping's going to interfere with playing it), and what I'm guessing is a chalumeau.

As for the projection, I don't know if you mean the removable thumb rest, or that lateral something closer to the bell.

Anyway, that's as good as I've got. The photographer didn't do the viewer any favors.

Definitely not! And there's never any description.

I'm thinking you're right on the bamboo/cane flute... perhaps the winding moved from elsewhere on the thing.

On the "projection" on the low whistle, yes, I mean the "lateral something." The thumb rest I did identify. As I said, the only thing I can think of that look similar are the keys on a Susato whistle (see low whistles on this page: https://www.susato.com/collections/kildare), so perhaps it is indeed a Susato whistle.

Looking again, perhaps not a chalumeau but a xaphoon? If that top "lone" hole is actually a finger hole? Never saw a xaphoon that looked like that, but who knows.

So, perhaps may have been a good buy after all (whistles would be re-homed; I don't need more, lol!)

Wanderer wrote:The carbon fiber whistle looks like one of Erik the Flutemakers. It's got the signature Susato mouthpiece.
https://eriktheflutemaker.com/products/ ... rbon-fiber

That one alone sells for $150 new, if you're looking for an Erik the Flutemaker whistle.

I'm not, but hopefully whoever got it appreciates it!

Katharine wrote:Looking again, perhaps not a chalumeau but a xaphoon?

Could be. Most xaphoons tend to have a plainer profile, though, and that's why I assumed it might be a chalumeau. OTOH, a quick look at Google Images suggests that chalumeaux tend to have at least a couple of keys, so maybe it's hoitier and toitier xaphoon. I know next to nothing about these instruments, otherwise; but I did learn that although "xaphoon" is used rather loosely by the public, it is actually a proprietary name and only a few companies are allowed to use it commercially, so were you to start making and selling them, you would probably have to name them something else to avoid stepping on any toes.

Katharine wrote:If that top "lone" hole is actually a finger hole? Never saw a xaphoon that looked like that, but who knows.

Here's a Wikipedia pic of a Bb xaphoon:



There's that hole again. So far I haven't found any explanation for it, but it doesn't seem to be a universal feature. It certainly looks like too much of a stretch to be a finger hole, doesn't it.

Nanohedron wrote:

Katharine wrote:Looking again, perhaps not a chalumeau but a xaphoon?

Could be. Most xaphoons tend to have a plainer profile, though, and that's why I assumed it might be a chalumeau. OTOH, a quick look at Google Images suggests that chalumeaux tend to have at least a couple of keys, so maybe it's hoitier and toitier xaphoon. I know next to nothing about these instruments, otherwise; but I did learn that although "xaphoon" is used rather loosely by the public, it is actually a proprietary name and only a few companies are allowed to use it commercially, so were you to start making and selling them, you would probably have to name them something else to avoid stepping on any toes.

Katharine wrote:If that top "lone" hole is actually a finger hole? Never saw a xaphoon that looked like that, but who knows.

Here's a Wikipedia pic of a Bb xaphoon:



There's that hole again. So far I haven't found any explanation for it, but it doesn't seem to be a universal feature. It certainly looks like too much of a stretch to be a finger hole, doesn't it.

Precisely. The only other xaphoons (or as they seem to sometimes be called, "pocket sax") I've seen have been plastic: https://www.xaphoon.com/products/pocket ... ssic-black (I love the blue one!: https://www.xaphoon.com/products/maui-x ... sax-cobalt) But the holes sure look the same.

Photo Nanohedron posted is a bamboo Xaphoon. Not sure what that is in original post. Something of the same ilk.
Xaphoon has a interesting tone. I imagine a chalumeau might sound like it. I never really played it much. The top hole is for left index finger. Left thumb hole is between first and second hole on front. Thumb hole is NOT an octave hole as one might surmise. Left hand position was very awkward for me...there was always some hole leaking. Overall fingering scheme is not like most woodwinds I play. It is almost better for someone that never played a woodwind, less "unlearning" to do.

Sedi wrote:The link is no longer working unfortunately.

Not for me either

Hm. Still works for me.

Maybe the links to the individual pictures?

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/84381448

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/84381448

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/84381448

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/84381448

Sedi wrote:The link is no longer working unfortunately.

It didn't ever work for those of us in Europe, I think. (I'd tried it even before your reply.)

Katharine wrote:Maybe the links to the individual pictures?

Still no good.

Ah, I already suspected it might be country/domain specific.