Anyone familiar with these…or have one?
http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com/Pennywhistles.htm
He’s using Susato heads.
If they’re as bad as his advice on “Irish” music, or the flutes that he makes, I would not expect much. I’ve had people show me his flutes, they are pretty out of tune, often with a very off whack second octave, and a thin sound. I’d imagine the whistles would be more or less the same story. They are cheap, but i’d say if you have the money get a Ralph Sweet, or better yet save up and get a Busman, they’re both a great bang for the buck.
Or a Burke
Since this is a sensitive issue around here at the moment … Not trying to bust your chops, and correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’ve played neither his flutes nor whistles, so your criticism is only conjecture, not first-hand. Can you elaborate on the bad advice comment? And I’m not sure where Sweet and Busman (and Burke) come into the question. Thanks!
That is true… 
In direct answer to the Ballyshannon’s question, I haven’t ever tried one, but they don’t sound all that bad, and they look nice too. I can’t say anything firsthand though.
Thanks, Jordan. My impression is that Ballyshannon is a fairly experienced whistler, and probably not looking for other whistle recommendations here.
I have tried his flutes, read my first post. I still think for the price you’re better off spending a bit more and getting something else, as simple as that. Is the fact I’m giving my flat out honest opinion a bad thing.
It’s not clear that means you’ve played them. But fair enough. I guess the whistles are still an open question.
Yeah, i’ve just tried the flutes, so my opinion is based on that. They could be good instruments, but I somehow doubt it. Also my reference to Sweetheart, and Busman, was simply to say if you wanted a cheap wooden whistle, they both do a great job.
Got it. It’s tricky. Reasonable people make reasonable extrapolations, as you did, but direct experience is always better.
What’s the bit about the bad advice? I’m just curious.
Erik’s soundclips (or video rather) sound very nice . . .
MT is correct that I wasn’t asking for recommendations, nor do I have any intention of purchasing Erik’s whistles since I’m not a big fan of wooden whistles. I’d not heard of Erik and out of curiosity just wondered if anyone has ever actually played his whistles…whistles, not flutes…and maybe hear what their impressions are. It was that simple.
I would think that if he is using Susato heads, then his whistles would play pretty much exactly like Susatos in terms of tone. I don’t really know why he would bother making whistles if he doesn’t make his own mouthpieces, since that is what is the most work and what gives each brand of whistle its unique sound. I haven’t played Erik’s whistles (so I’m not claiming to know anything about their playability; I’m just supposing), but it seems that the only thing that could really be much different about them from a Susato whistle would be the intonation, (which could be the same? Better? Worse?)
He says that he tunes them to concert pitch A=440. Now if that is for all the notes or just a few here and there is another question.
Erik makes his livelihood on the Renaissance Festival circuit. It’s in his best interest to have a product that’s easy to make, easy to play, and be appealing to tourists, while not necessarily being the greatest in terms of musical craftsmanship. His primary market demographic is not musicians.
I’ve played a half-dozen of his flutes over the years, and one of his bamboo saxophones, and really never have gotten on with any of them.
I’ve never played one of his whistles because he has a “Because of the Plague, Thou Shalt Not Toot” sign in his booths. And for a Susato-headed whistle, they’re too pricey for me to justify purchasing one.
When specifically asked, Erik will produce a decent and well-tuned bamboo flute for very few bucks. I haven’t tried his whistles, but would expect them to be Ren-Fair quality, and no more. He’d probably agree with that assessment.
Another great maker of wooden whistles is David O’Brien. I have a blackwood C/D set, and can recommend him highly. www.obrienwhistles.com
I tried one of his whistles years ago. Can’t comment on the tunning, as I wouldn’t have noticed minor problems, anyway. But, I can say that the dark shade one I had was unplayable because it had such a strong smoky smell that I started sneezing as soon i took it out of the case.