Authorization is granted that August 27th be forever declared Plum Wood Day.
For all those individuals, seasoned whistlers and newbies alike, being affected by WHOAD and further confused deciding which material to choose for a whistle with aesthetic, health, and musical ability concerns be it known that WOOD is a good thing. The apple may not have fallen far from the tree, but, the plums have been plucked, pasturized, and postal delivered. If I can’t play it well I’ll just look at it!
David Boisvert - Greenwood Pipes - reedbiter on C&F sent me this recent plum harvest.
Got wood… I love fruit… it’s healthier! And WHOAD has been satisfied for today… Plum Wood Day. Time to party and pint up
Paul, your Marblewood whistle was the very first woody I purchased. If I remember correctly (actually I checked my old emails to verify) you discouraged me from purchasing any higher end whistle with my being a rank newbie. I’m glad I didn’t take your advice (that particular time) as your whistle turned out to be a gem that’s carried about regularly. Perfect shirt pocket fit! That’s why I don’t like T-shirts, no pocket and my belly hangs out. I do listen and follow the sages here while difficult to figure out who’s who cybering about.
I don’t have too many of the wood whistles because of all the fear from reading about care, maintenance, cracking, splitting, and so forth. I do have just a few different woods as of now and learning about the woods all along seeing how they hold up against a newbie-ish whistler’s tough use.
More fear… from above… sages, the guy in the sky mentioned in a thread not too long ago about reviews, what they should include, by whom, and IIRC something to the effect there “needs to be a systematic review by competent people”. Geez, I’m shaking and wobblin’ all ready. So here’s my newbie-ish thoughts concerning my Boisvert plumwood high D whistle. (This not a review ) In full disclosure, I did already have a used Boisvert whistle, but, when reedbiter recently posted his new available whistles I decided to leave the used club and join the original and new owners group.
The craftsmanship is exquisite. Exquisite period.
Plumwood with brass ferrules that are engraved, polymer or delrin? plug, tunable and fingering holes finely crafted for sure fire landing with full coverage. The six holes are crafted with a slight indent. I don’t know the proper vocabulary word for it, but, carved out or recessed. Beautifully.
As for the sound, keeping in mind my newbie-ish-ness, the tone is pure but with two full octaves of clear and loud notes. The transition between octaves is going to take a little more practice for a clean transition to occur. Its me not the whistle. The upper register is a nicely screaming sweet clear sounding one. The windway on the Boisvert is larger than any of the other high whistles I own. So the whistle demands full breath and no fear of honking while playing. Just lean into it and let it go no fear. Not comparing windway sizewise to any low whistles here but its big. Easily, this whistle fits into any session large or small. If I don’t learn to play it well… I’m just going to look at it as its a pretty nice whistle for sure.
I do not know how to record sound yet, excuses, excuses, (possibly a genetic ludite) but eventually I’ll get something played/recorded. I’m a slow learner but its been fun. YMMV
Hey Ytliek,
What’s this"WHOAD" thing you keep making reference to? Fact or fiction? Regardless, that is one “plum” of a whistle. If she sounds as sweet as she looks, Dave created a true beauty for you. Enjoy!
Ytliek, I only asked how it sounded and played! Not looking for a full on review man. A simple “plays nice , sounds good” would do.
Whoa! It wasn’t Purpleheart by any chance, was it? I owned a Purpleheart Boisvert. I sold it to help fund a big, honking lathe to make more whistles. It may be the only whistle I ever sold over which I have had any regrets.
I do like the whistles David makes. I like how they feel in the hands. It is a very pleasant whistle IMO. It’s nice to see another one in the hands of someone that appreciates his work. Have fun with both of them.
Very beautiful instrument you have there! I want to get a wood one myself one day. Maybe one of the Native American varieties. What exactly is the difference between a NA ‘flute’ and a whistle, anyways?
Huh, thanks! Seems like one of the big differences is the 5 note pentatonic scale. I’ve tried playing this on my low D to some success (D, F, G, A, C, D) but I think it’d be easier on a C keyed whistle. The construction is also very different.
@ Cayden: part of recovery is recognizing and admitting that there is a problem. I’m not stuck in denial.
@ Feadoggie: geez, impressive… you sniffed that Purpleheart whistle out in cyberworld (if its the same one). Yes, the used Purpleheart whistle was what made me want a new one and with the recent images that Greenwood Pipes displayed… easy decision. The Purpleheart whistle is in great condition and is owned by someone that will care for it properly. Respectfully. As with all my whistles. The previous owner cared for it properly as well. Both used and new whistles play nicely even at my experience level. I too like a wider tube for the feel in the hands as I’m a touchy feely person who likes to hold the craftsmanship and see/hear it as well.
@ Cayden: as Feadoggie inquired whether you’ve ordered one yet, I too would would suggest to you and all of the low whistlers who like to honk on and lean into a freeblowing whistle to consider the Boisvert high whistles. That huge windway can handle the biggest of the bellowers out there. No doubt about it. Its a high whistle at that.
@ flootoot: the photography doesn’t even do justice how beautiful this whistle is. Aesthetically perfect.
@ farmerjones: yeah, the NAFs are a different animal. But I know you like the low whistles… might I suggest a Plum wood high D.
@ Steve Bliven: in reference to ordering only one whistle (about Cayden) I stopped buying T-shirts so I could save up for another different wood type whistle. The woods are exotic and absolutely gorgeous. Got wood and going Plum bonkers.
Its practice time… Oh happy days… Plum Wood Day - August 27th… Oh happy days…
My name is Cayden and I am a WHOADAHOLIC OK, I admit it! Given my pending Sindt deal, I don’t quite think I am spiraling toward “recovery” any time soon.
And WHOAD has been satisfied for today… Plum Wood Day. 
Time to party 
and pint up 
as your whistle turned out to be a gem that’s carried about regularly. Perfect shirt pocket fit! That’s why I don’t like T-shirts, no pocket and my belly hangs out. 
I do listen and follow the sages here while difficult to figure out who’s who cybering about.
