Has anybody purchased one of the bamboo whistles from Erik the Flute Maker? I was wondering if anyone could give us an opinion.
Craig
(Is that a whistle in yer pocket, or are ya just glad to see me?)
Can’t help with the question about Erik’s whistles, but here’s some late breaking news:
Aran Olwell (Son top wooden and Bamboo flute maker Patrick Olwell) is now making high quality Tuneable Bamboo Whistles.
I’m not in a budgetary position to purchase one I’m afraid, so I’ll have no forthcoming review 
Any chance you’ll be getting a demo model Dale?
Loren
On 2002-07-24 22:49, Loren wrote:
Aran Olwell (Son top wooden and Bamboo flute maker Patrick Olwell) is now making high quality Tuneable Bamboo Whistles.
Now that sounds cool. Loren, you didn’t by any chance get info on when or where they might be available? I couldn’t seem to find a website or email address, just something about a carrot flute…
Stonewall
I actually bought a bamboo Bb whistle from Erik last Christmas. I wanted a concert D but he was out at the time, so I took the Bb. Actually I don’t like the whistle. A couple of the bottom holes are made far too big (so deep your fingers sink into them) and it’s nearly impossible to control the octaves–it goes high when you want it to stay low, and vice versa. Granted, I’m not an accomplished player, but I have no trouble with my other whistles.
It’s a bit of a shame because I like the “Dark and carved” look of this whistle and the sound is unique, almost like a clarinet or something (it has a Susato fipple). I just never play it because of that octave control problem.
Erik was a pleasure to talk to on the phone, however, and he took the time to call me back, answer my questions, and play whistles over the phone for me. He also sent me a free whistle with my purchase, just to be nice, and a free handmade whistle bag. I’m hoping this one whistle was just bad and his others are good. I’ve heard good things about them, and the sound clips on his web site sound really nice. Who knows…
I certainly admire the look of Erik the Flutemaker’s instruments. Having long since lost my wonderful Maui Xafoon to having knocked it on the floor and stepped on it, I have considered getting one of his bamboo clarinets (if I can afford one sometime).
My first experience with diatonic fipple flutes was with a Filipino-made patented bamboo whistle called Kingflute. It is a 7-hole whistle, with the fipple above the windway (the window is on bottom). Their quality control is very good, and they come in two or three keys, the lowest being a low G. The binding is made of braided basketry. I don’t know of them being available outside of the Philippines, but they are quite nice (there is now a plastic version, which I’ve never seen). I have a very nice panpipe made by the Kingflute company, as well (hear a clip: http://free.gentle.org/users/gospelhymns/Heislord.mp3 ). Their website is no longer online, but their company was started in 1981. My first experience with Kingflutes was in early 1988, when I visited the bamboo organ (another truly great bamboo instrument that you ought to hear) in a church near Manila.
On 2002-07-25 02:05, Cees wrote:
I actually bought a bamboo Bb whistle from Erik last Christmas. Actually I don’t like the whistle. A couple of the bottom holes are made far too big (so deep your fingers sink into them)
I find the bottom hole on the Generation Bb like this, and as this was the only Bb I had ever seen, I assumed it was common to all Bb whistles. Then I tried an Alba Bb in Hobgoblin, and discovered the holes to be fine, none of them of this overlarge variety.
The Alba was very nice, considered by the guys in the shop to be their nicest whistle, but was out of my price range.
The Holes on my Dixon A are also a nice size, which leads me to believe his Bb would be a good choice too.
My experience with bamboo whistles
is entirely the east Indian variety,
and good ones are pretty cheap,
in tune (though not tunable), and
playable. Well, I guess they are cane,
not bamboo. Anyway they have a ‘soft’
sound; they aren’t so responsive
to ornamentation. Considerable
variation between different whistles.
On 2002-07-25 01:37, Stonewall wrote:
On 2002-07-24 22:49, Loren wrote:
Aran Olwell (Son top wooden and Bamboo flute maker Patrick Olwell) is now making high quality Tuneable Bamboo Whistles.Now that sounds cool. Loren, you didn’t by any chance get info on when or where they might be available? I couldn’t seem to find a website or email address, just something about a carrot flute…
Stonewall
Stonewall,
Here’s a page with Aran’s contact info:
http://www.yellowcarmusic.com/bodhrantippers/
The site only has bodhran tippers on it, don’t know if Aran plans a to add the whistles here at some point, or perhaps on a different site. Anyway, this should help though.
Hope someone buys one of these soon, would love to hear more about them and see some photos.
Oh yeah, now for the bad news: Word on the street is that the cost will be around $100 or so for these whistles.
Loren
I posted this in another thread (Walden’s, about how many instrument’s he’s played), but I see no harm in repeating myself.
I’ve bought a few of Eriks’ flutes and one of his whistles. the whistle looks like (though I haven’t pulled it out of the closet to confirm) a susato head with a bamboo body. (Erik evidently has a deal with the Kelischeks, as the Susato is really the only instrument he sells that he doesn’t make). I have never been thrilled with the second octave on Erik’s instruments. While he seems to be able to play the 2nd octave just fine when he’s sitting around, I am less successful.
I’ve got a few years experience under my belt, so I don’t chalk it up to being new. I figure his instruments are primarily for the Renaissance Faire tourists…if you’re gonna get something with a Susato head, you might as well save a couple bucks and get an actual Susato.
Here’s a page with Aran’s contact info:
http://www.yellowcarmusic.com/bodhrantippers/
Loren,
Yeah, I checked that page earlier and didn’t find any whistle ordering info. I’ll get in contact with Aran and see what I can find. You know, that price wasn’t as high as I was expecting it to be. Just as long as its not $100 for a high G…
I’m going to be fairly busy this upcoming semester so if I get the whistle I may let you borrow it for a couple of weeks so that you could photograph it and adequately review it.
Stonewall
Hey, that would be cool! I’m dying to try one of these things because I have several el cheapo bamboo whistles that are poorly made and not entirely in tune, but I love the tone.
I just found out about Aran’s whistles myself, and haven’t gotten around to sending him an e-mail, otherwise I’d have some more specific info to share.
Loren
can anyone name a webside where there’s cheap bamboo or cane whistles for sale,or erik the flutemakers side?
On 2002-07-26 15:55, lixnaw wrote:
can anyone name a webside where there’s cheap bamboo or cane whistles for sale,or erik the flutemakers side?
Try these - http://www.mid-east.com/ http://apollosaxes.com/
I don’t have a link for erik the flutemakers side
Gary
http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com/
Erik’s site, natch.
thanks for all the help, this is a fantastic side with even more fantastic people!
all the best&relaaaaaaaaaaax!!
With regard to the Xaphoon-- they now make them in plastic. They are very nicely made and look very clarinet-like. As much as I can play mine, it sounds quite good, and the best part is that they cost a lot less than the bamboo ones ( much more durable too).