I was glancing at eBay and ran across his Kokako II Low-G aluminum whistle, and wanted to dig further. He's been mentioned just a couple times on this forum, but does have a decent number of YouTube clips.
His website shows he makes a variety of PVC and aluminum wind instruments. I wish I could find more examples on YouTube of his work played by experienced whistlers, but not finding too much other than his own clips. Here's his website: https://drjohnlaurence.com/takahe-flutes
I'm mildly curious and at $55 his Low G isn't too pricey, and I'm still kicking myself I didn't buy an Impepe whistle out of South Africa before the maker stopped building, so maybe I should get a Low G for the collection...
Anyone tried and whistles from Takahe Flutes of New Zealand?
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Re: Anyone tried and whistles from Takahe Flutes of New Zeal
I cannot speak to the aluminium Alto G but do own a Takahe PVC Low D. Using piper's grip, I cannot comfortably nor uncomfortably reach the lowest tone hole (although the maker does suggest to purchase his tone hole key to overcome the issue); no such issues with both my Low D Syn or Howard. The Alto G, like the Low D, appears to have quite the gap between the two bottom tone holes.
John was pleasantly affable during our email exchanges; he might be kind enough to provide some measurements so you can determine if his Alto G works for you.
John was pleasantly affable during our email exchanges; he might be kind enough to provide some measurements so you can determine if his Alto G works for you.
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Re: Anyone tried and whistles from Takahe Flutes of New Zeal
Hi Tunborough
Seeing as you dropped me in it
I have the low D with aluminium tubing. I got it from eBay, as per normal. It definitely looks the part, if nothing else.
It is incredibly light for it's size, the person I bought it from had ordered it with offset tone holes and as the previous poster said, the bottom tone hole is way lower than a normal low D. Playing it required the use of the little finger on the bottom hand, but it was playable that way. Getting the key from the seller as a separate purchase meant that normal fingering was possible. (If you buy the low D make sure you get the key as well).
I am still getting used to playing it, so this is an initial impression. It has a very breathy tone when playing it in the 1st octave, the second octave is purer, but is easy to overblow when in the second octave - no doubt as I adapt to the instrument's quirks it will play better for me.
David
Seeing as you dropped me in it
I have the low D with aluminium tubing. I got it from eBay, as per normal. It definitely looks the part, if nothing else.
It is incredibly light for it's size, the person I bought it from had ordered it with offset tone holes and as the previous poster said, the bottom tone hole is way lower than a normal low D. Playing it required the use of the little finger on the bottom hand, but it was playable that way. Getting the key from the seller as a separate purchase meant that normal fingering was possible. (If you buy the low D make sure you get the key as well).
I am still getting used to playing it, so this is an initial impression. It has a very breathy tone when playing it in the 1st octave, the second octave is purer, but is easy to overblow when in the second octave - no doubt as I adapt to the instrument's quirks it will play better for me.
David
Payday, Piping, Percussion and Poetry- the 4 best Ps
- TapTheForwardAssist
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Re: Anyone tried and whistles from Takahe Flutes of New Zeal
I'm going to go ahead and order a custom whistle from Takahe, because I want to make a gift to a Northumbrian pipe I'm a fan of, so going to order from NZ a mezzo whistle in the F+ pitch (differing from concert pitch) used by Northumbrian players.
The maker is totally cool with the idea, so let's see how this turns out...
The maker is totally cool with the idea, so let's see how this turns out...