Freeman Tweaked Feadogs

Whistle
1

So, I finally got one.
I was looking over Clarks on The Whistle Store site after being enticed by another thread.
In an unfamiliar corner, the New Items section, was Freeman Tweaked Feadogs for sale.
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/newitems/newitems.htm
Sent my money in, and got one! (Not to mention my first Clark original.)

When I sent my email thank you note, I asked if Freeman had started making them again or if they were previous stock.
The answer was previous stock, but they didn’t say how many were on hand.

Let the stampede commence.

2

If I recall correctly, Jerry’s Mellow Dogs and Blackbirds use Feadog heads, so they might themselves be considered as tweaked Feadogs. :wink:

3

You’re correct that I do begin with Feadog whistleheads to create Mellow Dogs and Blackbirds, but they lose all resemblance Feadogs when I’m finished with them. I generally say as little as possible about that because it would create confusion for anyone who might be looking for a whistle that’s anything like a Feadog or looking for a whistle that’s NOT anything like a Feadog.

Best wishes,
Jerry

4

Understood, Jerry, but I was joking, hence the wink. :slight_smile:

5

That’s fine. No worries. Since this record will remain for a long time, I just wanted to chime in, in case anyone might misunderstand.

Best wishes,
Jerry

6

It’s pretty much always good to avoid confusion. :slight_smile:

So I’m guessing that you no longer tweak Feadogs at all?

7

Right.

It was difficult to get the desired result, and I had to throw away too many whistles to make it workable.

Best wishes,
Jerry

8

@ Lancealot, if you’re after a good ‘Tweaked’ Feadog
you won’t go wrong with a Cillian O’Briain Feadog.
Here’s a link to the Big Whistle website.
http://www.bigwhistle.co.uk/shop_results.asp?search=2&maker=36&highlow=1&key=*&tunable=2&cat=*&GO=GO+

9

Thanks for the info, narrowdog, but I wasn’t the one looking for them. My Feadog was unplayable before I tweaked with bluetack, and though it is radically better than before the tweak, it’s still not as rewarding as I’d prefer. The bulk of my playing time goes to a Dixon 203 in D and a Chieftain NR in Bb. And now I play harmonicas, too. And yes, harmonicas are also the subject of Acquisition Syndrome in equal measure to whistles. Oh, well, that has its enjoyments.

10

Narrowdog, can you tell me what the O’Briain Feado is like to play exactly - backpressure, breath requirements, volume, bell note, tone etc.

11

Mike,
It’s very similar in breath control and back pressure to most other Feadog / generation type whistles.
Something like a Freeman Tweaked Blackbird requires more breath control.
Volume is on the quite side for high Ds, very similar to a Sindt, this I find to be fine and I play them both at our local sessions and have no problems being heard.
Bell note is good and strong.
For what they cost get one, they’re a good whistle.