I finally completed my collection of Sindt whistles and have all keys available… but my whistles have been hanging around the appartment for years and it seems I always have trouble finding the right whistle at the right time. I think it’s time to buy meself a whistle bag.
I saw the one that’s available at the whistleshop.com, but it’s a bit bigger than what I’d need, although it will probably be my first choice if there’s no alternative. I remember seeing someone with a whistle bag a few years ago and he had just enough room for all of his Sindt. I’m not sure if the bag was custom made.
Anyway, could any of you point me to multi-bag makers/websites ? Any experience with such bags yourself? Any suggestion?
At the risk of always agreeing with Byll (not a bad thing), Annie just makes the finest bags on the planet. Other than that, drum stick bags serve quite well.
Thanks folks! I don’t want to put down anyone’s work, but I think Annie’s whistle bag are a bit too crafty for my needs. I just want something simple, dull, boring, black, that will hold a bunch of whistles. The one that Burke is selling seems appealing to me, anyone has one of these?
If it’s the same one, it has 8 compartments, measuring (in mm): 45 45 50 50 60 60 60 65. The 4 smaller ones can hold 1 or 2 whistles / heads, the 4 larger ones 2 or 3. So the roll-up can hold between 8 and 20 pieces, depending on the whistles and how you pack them in. At 40 cm tall, it can take up to a Bb or maybe A whistle without disassembly.
The compartments and top flap are nylon fabric, and the inside vinyl is lined with cloth-covered foam padding. The top flap secures with velcro along the edges. And the closure is 2 cords you pull tight with spring-loaded sliding clamps.
Mine is 3 years old now, so you might check with Michael for the details of his current model.
I bet Annie would also make a boring black case for you if you want.
Hi Azalin!
This one has lasted me over six years and costs almost nothing. Holds 20-30 whistles and I can still fit 1-2 low whistles if I take them apart. A Susato low D will just fit so one can close the zipper, longer sections would have to stick out.
In theory, you could make your own multi-whistle bag, if you know how to use a sewing needle.
Take two layer of duck cloth, cotton, whatever you want. Use a 1" dowel to create the pocket for each whistle, lay them down in a row between the layers of fabric, then sew space between. A nice suede leather would look nice for something like this.
I use a zippered drumstick bag that I modified a bit by sewing seams about 1" apart to make individual pockets to keep the metal and wood whistles from banging into one another. To keep the exposed tops of the whistles on each side from coming into contact when the bag is closed, I place a heavy cotton cloth across the tops of the whistles before closing. It’s 18" tall with a large pocket on the front. This bag is plenty large enough for my Dixon A and homemade Bb (far left in photo of open bag) and as you can see when closed is still very easy to carry and transport. It’s made of a thick material that protects very well. The bag was purchased in a local music store and as I recall was about $12 but that was several years ago.
The seams on the right were done on a machine, but since the left flap (which is the front) has the pocket, those seams were done by hand using a heavy duty nylon thread. Trust me, I’m a guy who doesn’t sew and this was pretty easy. This bag’s had a lot of use and I’ve been meaning to redo the seams on the left now where’s that needle…
definitely go with the drumstick bag - as much padding as you can get and preferably a shoulder strap (plenty on eBay)… then ask yourself if you really need to carry them all around with you
I’m not sure if this might be too late of a reply, but I’ve worked with Joan Hackie out of Canada before and had good luck with her. I’ve boughten one of her stock bags in a plain black that hold 5-10 whistles plus music, and I know if you e-mail her, she can do custom orders. In fact, I just got a full set of Syn whistles and have been in contact with her about a roll case that will hold all of them (there’s 8 in total). Her website is www.hackiepacks.com
I tried Ballyshannon’s idea back in January, and it’s worked out wonderfully. I got a Zildjian stick bag for $15 from a local drum store and went to use my mom’s sewing machine to make individual compartments, but I was vetoed and she did it for me
We sewed a small hand towel across the top. The only problem with it is that I’m outgrowing it already. Stupid WhOA! Now if I can just find a stick bag that’s big enough for low whistles…
I use a bag that Colin and Brigitte Goldie sell…holds multiple whistles, has a shoulder strap, is durable, and has a handy front pocket for the odds and ends.
now where’s that needle…
