Hoovers...opinions

Flogging Jason · Post by **Flogging Jason** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:36 pm

I found a good deal on a brass tuneable Hoover Low G. I'd really like to have another low whistle in a different key but I havn't heard much about Hoovers. I listened to a sample on his site and it sounds nice, but I have read that they are quiet. if so, how quiet are they? I like to perform on the street and I like being heard for blocks away.

preacher · Post by **preacher** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:22 pm

I also like my whistles loud and Mack can make his acceptably loud. His PVC whistles in lower keys is what I'm familiar with. I have a B that he made for me that keeps up with guitar players (with a decent mike). I also have a Low E the has a full rich tone. Recently he sent me a Bb And A which are louder thn comparable Chieftain and Dixon -but the loudness on these is not what you call piercing just full and thick. Hope this helps

King Friday · Post by **King Friday** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:38 pm

I'm also interested in a Hoover, but since I have plently of loud whistles I want the quietest one he makes. I live with 3 other people and stay up about 3 hours later so I need to stay quiet. Which is his most quiet one?

jglover · Post by **jglover** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:51 pm

King Friday wrote:... I want the quietest one he makes. I live with 3 other people and stay up about 3 hours later so I need to stay quiet. Which is his most quiet one?

Good question, I'm also interested in a quiet whistle for exactly the same reasons here! Hoovers have consistently turned up as having a quiet signature, but how quiet compared to say a Sweetone D?

swizzlestick · Post by **swizzlestick** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:29 pm

As a most happy owner of several of Mack's whistles in several keys, I think only one is what you would call a quiet whistle. And that's what I asked for. The rest are more or less middle of the road when it comes to loudness. And I have one Bb PVC whistle that seems twice as loud as a Gen Bb.

If I have to keep it down, my soft voiced whitecap still needs a bit of tape over part of the window, but it's not one of the super quiet ones.

Maybe this reputation for soft, sweet whistles is based on his earlier work, the narrow bore, all brass ones. But I can't say since I have never played one.

If you give Mack a call, he will try to build to your needs.

BillChin · Post by **BillChin** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:52 pm

I have an aluminum Hoover low G. I can be heard maybe 8 feet out and makes for a poor busking whistle. Mack may be able to build one to spec, but if it is a used whistle, another brand would be a better idea.

Dave Parkhurst · Post by **Dave Parkhurst** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:54 pm

I tried a Hoover whitecap.... nice whistle.
DAve

rodfish · Post by **rodfish** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:21 pm

I have a brass narrow bore D from Mack and I can play it to my heart's content in a hotel room; it's that quiet.

But it does take some getting used to; very easy to overblow.

jkrazy52 · Post by **jkrazy52** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:39 am

I have a brass C of Mack's, plus some PVC whistles, couple of whitecaps .... all good whistles; some quiet -- some not. Swizzlestick has the best idea. Contact Mack, tell him what sound you need. He can build one to match your requirements. He may also be able re-voice a used one. Contact him and ask. He's a wonderful person to deal with!

Judy

Flogging Jason · Post by **Flogging Jason** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 4:59 am

thanks for the advice. It is a used whistle I was looking at here on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

Good luck if you're interested. I think I'll keep my eyes open for something louder. Thanks again.

P.S. Since many of you are avid owners perhaps you could write a review for Dale!

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:25 am

swizzlestick wrote: Maybe this reputation for soft, sweet whistles is based on his earlier work, the narrow bore, all brass ones. But I can't say since I have never played one.

If you give Mack a call, he will try to build to your needs.

I think this is the case. His brass whistles are known for being quiet. The whitecaps (and black tops) can be made custom for quiet or moderate volumes. I have a D whitecap that's about as loud as my Gen, and a Bb whitecap that's about the same. Great whistles, of average volume. I'd guess the G for sale is pretty quiet, though.

walrii · Post by **walrii** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:44 pm

Tell Mack what you want. I asked him for a Whitecap on a Feadog tube that was very quiet for playing in hotel rooms. He delivered the quiet and it's also the nicest overall whistle I own.