I recently acquired a McManus (Mac Maghmuis) Blackwood High D whistle, and I plan to make this one the whistle I continue learning on. I remember reading somewhere that new wooden whistles require a period of breaking in. I would appreciate hearing from people who play wooden whistles, anything they could share about the proper way to break in a new whistle. Thanks in advance!
Roy McManus makes a great whistle. From various wooden whistle makers instructions may include playing in for short periods of time during the initial month. Light oiling frequently. Letting whistle thoroughly dry after playing and with a quick swabbing to eliminate as much moisture as possible. Just play it. You can gather plenty of information from the various wooden whistle maker’s websites about care and maintenance. McManus doesn’t have website though.
You didn’t say whether you acquired the whistle directly from Roy McManus, but, you could email him for the best instructions for playing in and breaking in the whistle.
Enjoy your McManus whistle as I’m sure it is a real dandy.
Thanks for the response! I read what you had to say, and also took your advice to check websites - I’ve looked on the Oz and Busman websites so far. The consistent advice seems to be swab the whistle after playing, store it disassembled, oil it inside and out on a regular basis, and give it light use for the first month or so. Good words which I intend to follow.
I actually bought the whistle through McNeela Instruments in Dublin, Ireland. I was websurfing when I came across their site and saw that they offered McManus whistles. I did some research and decided to buy one. McNeela has a very informative website itself, and quick, impeccable service, and the whistle was in my hands in no time. Sometime in the future I may be in the market for a McManus high C, so its good to know that I can communicate directly with Roy McManus, even if he doesn’t have a website.
I have a few of Roy’s whistles (he is very easy to deal with) and i think its always better going directly to the maker when possible,as opposed to a third party vendor.
The maintenance/care regime you describe is all relevant and correct except that he recommends that the whistle not be disassembled,as grit,dirt etc can get on the slide and cause scratching and possible damage to the surface.
I also think info from other flute /woodwind makers is useful for wooden whistles as well. Regarding humidity etc.
Oz and Busman good info on websites. I agree with eric about going directly to the particular whistle maker.
Wooden whistle maker’s instruction concerning playing in a whistle.
http://abellflute.com/careandmaintenance.php
http://www.bleazey.co.uk/flutecare.html#PLAYING
I do prefer the wooden whistle for the most enjoyment in playing.
One thing about oiling-- don’t overdo it! I’ve had whistles come back for tweaks that were practically dripping. More is not necessarily better. The wood can only absorb just so much oil. I (and I’m sure other wooden whistle makers) give each whistle two applications of oil a day or two apart. Glenn Schultz used to tell me to oil the whistle when it looks dry through the finger holes. A couple of times a year is plenty. I hate to tell you how infrequently I oil my own personal whistles.