Well, here’s the difference between us, I’ve never “hunted” for a whistle in my life.
Of the whistles I’ve bought, I’ve simply gone into a shop or to a festival stall, bought the whistle that I wanted to play and then played it.
I’d go along with that. It’s a nice thought that there are some exceptional instruments hiding in the mass of everyday serviceable instruments.
Then again, I’m not entirely sure what an exceptional Generation might look or sound like. Is it one that accidentally has a particularly pure tone, a different octave break, more/less chiff? I’m not picking an argument here (really!), because what is meant is not clear at all … almost by definition.
The other side of the coin is that the everyday serviceable instrument is actually what I’ve grown to like and it is more than adequate for playing the music I obsess far more about than the search for an “exceptional instrument.”
So after reading the thread on Eb whistles I decided to pick up a generation ins Eb. Arrived last night.
The head is so loose on the tube that it will fall off if I tilt it towards the ground. It was only held on with glue, but the glue bond broke, leaving a ridge of glue residue I’ll have to remove. I’ll need to put some sort of tape on the tube to make it usable.
That’s poor quality control
My Eb nickel came like that, but my Eb brass didn’t, nor any of my numerous other Gens - so may just be ‘one offs’.
Teflon plumbing tape – the kind used for sealing threads – will do a good job of tightening the head without leaving a residue. Don’t get the head too tight, it can crack and require additional repair. (Personal experience.)
Yeah tried that–it won’t stay put. Cleaned the tube with acetone and then appleid the tape after it dried–the head pushes the tape out of position
Send it back for an exchange, or not worth the postage?
the head pushes the tape out of position
There can’t be a lot of space then. Rub a bit of candle wax on the tube, that should probably do it. Or a mix of beeswax and vaseline.