I really want people to read this, because I am totally amazed, and I think everyone should have one (or three). I just posted the following text in an old thread: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=11712 that I resurrected.
…I just got a tweaked Shaw (a surprise!) in the mail from Jerry and I am simply blown away! I played a couple of Shaws in stores and thought they were atrocious. They were so breathy that I couldn’t get through half of a tune without needing to stop (unusual for me!). I hated the sound and considered them unplayable. Whenever anyone asked about Shaws, I told them this. I am thrilled that Jerry felt strongly enough about his tweak to send me one anyway! It is a COMPLETELY different whistle! If this had been my first whistle, I may never have gone looking for another one. It sounds and plays as a whistle should. I am beyond amazed at the transformation. The first octave is rich and has good volume, and the second is sweet and, though the highest notes require a slight bit of push (not even as much as many high-end whistles), it’s not breathy and the volume is well-balanced. It has a lovely character. I will play this whistle regularly.
I actually like my Shaw. Jerry asked me to send it to him, but i have been procrastinating. I already have so many good whistles (i.e.: more than one!).
The Shaw was my session whistle before i bought the Sweet from Cranberry. I’m using the Silkstone now because i suddenly need a tunable whistle, since one of the guys comes to the session with an out of tune accordion.
Anyway, i like that i can blow almost as hard as i want on the Shaw without making it squeak. It may not go much louder, but at least it’s satisfying. I probably got a good Shaw. I’ll send it to Jerry eventually.
But why is it that Jessie gets them for free? I guess it’s the avatar. Gotta be the avatar.
Well, OK. I guess I can post this in response to a direct question.
The soprano E, Eb and D tweaked Shaws are $36.50 plus $3.85 postage
C is $39.50; Bb is $54.50; A is $56.50 (temporarily out of stock due to a manufacturing problem). I’m not offering any whistles below A at this time.
The most recent run of A Shaws have the mouthpieces rotated about 15 degrees out of alignment with the toneholes. They play just fine, but it looks strange. Maybe they’re meant for Kwela music. Anyway, it’s been brought to Dave Shaw’s attention, and he’s correcting the machinery that ran the odd whistles.
A Shaw whistle that isn’t breathy? That sounds plain wrong! Or is it just the top of the second octave that isn’t breathy?
Personally I have always liked the Shaws I’ve tried (er, except for that A whistle I got that didn’t play well, and which I ruined by tweaking the blade too much ). Then again, I also like regular Clarke whistles.
OK, Jerry, how about another direct question? What about prices on tweaking currently owned Shaws sent to you, and do you tweak below A on currently owned whistles? Have you done a low D and how did it turn out if you did?
Yes, I do tweak already owned Shaws, and I’ve done several low D Shaws.
It improves them considerably, and I would certainly recommend anyone with a low D or other low Shaw sending it to be tweaked.
I charge $14.00 plus $3.85 postage in the U.S.
For high whistles, postage will be $3.85 outside the U.S., as well, but for the bigger whistles, I have to check weight and destination before I can quote the postage.
Best wishes,
Jerry
P.S. Jens, it’s really true. After tweaking, very little breathiness remains throughout their range, both high and low. What remains after the breathiness is gone is still very much true to the Clarke/Shaw conical rolled metal tinwhistle sound, but it’s a much higher quality, more poignant, more musical sound. To my ear, they’re about the truest example of an “authentic traditional tinwhistle sound” I can imagine.
I probably got a good Shaw. I’ll send it to Jerry eventually.
). Then again, I also like regular Clarke whistles.