Wow thank you so much for so many thoughtful and details replies!
Sedi- you're exactly right breath control has been a challenge and something I need to keep in mind. I don't find so much that I'm keeping an excess of air but moreso that I'm literally out of breath lungs empty. Thank you so much for the info on David O'Brien! I'm just a province over so what an amazing find!
Sedi wrote:
The mouthpiece is not injection molded but made from multiple parts, from delrin.
Do you find that the delrin is something that you'd avoid, or was it more just a comment for informations sake? I haven't heard of it before but a quick google lets me know that it's a material used in mouthpieces for both brass and wind instruments.
bigsciota- I have definitely emailed Paul Busman and he has been very helpful so far

bigsciota wrote:
Once you get into other, more boutique whistles, you are not so much paying for quality as you are paying for customization.
I really like how you put that, I think it's exactly what I'm looking for in a whistle. I don't have a great baseline with whistles, but in my degree and working in a music store I'm very accustomed to all kinds of different sounds and tones and have a good sense of what my preferences are.
Thank you for the whistle, book and youtube recommendations! I've been meaning to read your post too, the title was intriguing.
Tunborough-
Tunborough wrote:
David also posts here as O'Brien. He's in Campbell River, B.C. Which end of the country are you?
Long and McQuade, for one, sells a variety of name-brand whistles, if you're interested in that route while you save up for your Busman or wait for the dollar to improve.
I'm in Alberta so really by post not far at all as I regularly purchase things from BC. I've checked out L&M and did purchase a good book from them but found their access to whistles was a bit lacking, at least in Alberta. The timelines to get what I wanted were a bit long as well, likely covid related. Where possible I'd rather support a local maker than a chain store ( i used to work at a St. John's Music so I am also a bit biased haha).
Katharine- one thing that is actually pretty interesting about the bass clarinet is that it has an infinite range, weird but true! As much as it might not seem like it it can also get very screechy. I did the majority of my playing on clarinet where I sat right behind the flutes and in front of the trumpets. I have ears of steel. I can appreciate what you're saying though. I do find the register is one to get used to, but it's more the quality of that shrill sound that I'm looking to improve on.
I don't feel qualified to tweak any instruments at this time, and honestly just don't have the time or energy to go messing around with it, at least not yet. Thanks for your comments! All feedback is useful

RoberTunes- definitely my plan, I always love getting things direct from the maker when I can. Canada is my preference for right now just due to exchange rate and duty concerns. I also have my eyes set on rosewood which is not really possible to get across borders at the moment ( although I have found some updated information on that which seems to have snuck out in November of last year).
I will say I am a little worried about buying the wrong whistle, but thankfully I am finding some with a return policy which is very nice and helps with the higher price point. I also feel like being able to ask makers questions and watch play videos is helpful with the process.
Mr. Gumby- That does seem to be the general opinion, start with something at a lower price point until you're a bit more sure of what you're looking for. I'll have to check out your recommendations, thanks so much!
fatmac- I'm definitely looking forward to when I"m a little further along! thanks for your comments

pancelticpiper- yes, I think you absolutely nailed it.
pancelticpiper wrote:
I have found over the years, in doing studio gigs and orchestra gigs and church gigs and interacting with "reed guys" who have taken up whistle, that they tend to prefer whistles that play differently than the sort usually preferred by people who focus on playing Irish traditional music. "Reed guys" tend to want more resistance/impedance/backpressure, and prefer whistles that I call "stiff" players, with a crisp break between the registers. Trad Irish players tend to prefer whistles with lighter 2nd octaves with more nimble "action".
That is definitely me I think.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, it really resonated with me and what I've been thinking.
Sedi- thanks for the tips on the generation, I"ll have to keep that in mind when purchasing IRL instead of online is possible again.
busterbill- thanks for the recommendation! I'll give them a look.
Again thank you all so much for taking the time to comment and share your knowledge and experience, it's really invaluable when you're starting out. I seem to have found one of the friendliest parts of the internet in this forum and I'm looking forward to learning and sharing more!