A Note on the "Cheapie V. High End" Theme

[PhilO]

While reading the NY Times Book Review today, I noted on the Bauman Rare Books page a number of costly items, the highest of which was William Shakespeare, second folio of his plays, 1632, at $398,000. I've studied and read all of Shakespeare (or whoever wrote all the plays) and it's great stuff. I also love books and we tend to hang on to most of the hardcovers we've already read as well as some neat paperbacks. I love mysteries, historicals, classics. I don't generally re-read anything. While it would be nice to own the aforementioned Shakespeare (especially signed), I think the set I have will suffice.

Now, think about whistles, which can be played and enjoyed over and over, with endless new tunes.

Yes, whatever the market will bear, whatever you can afford, and whatever you choose to spend. All fine. But let's feel even better about our "high end" whistles from this day forth!

Regards,

Philo

[Byll]

Ah. I so love the smell of philosophy, in the late afternoon. Well said, friend PhilO.
Best.
Byll

[R Small]

Agreed.

[s1m0n]

Signed by whom? Every edition of Shakespeare is posthumous.

[MTGuru]

Every edition of Shakespeare is posthumous.

Except the First Folio ... since Bacon outlived its publication by 3 years.

[brewerpaul]

If you want to feel even better about high end whistles, look at prices for other instruments. Uillean pipes, violins,harps, mandolins: you usually have to pay much more than the cost of an expensive whistle just to get out of the gate.
There are some instruments where, as with the whistle you can get very serviceable inexpensive models, such as excellent plastic recorders, ukuleles. However, if you choose to go high end again the costs rise astronomically. Check out, for example some astounding ukes: http://www.moorebettahukes.com/
These are some of the most beautiful examples of instrument making I've ever seen anywhere, at any price.
In the greater scheme of things, high end whistles are not all that expensive. That said, those who still can't afford them need not suffer from lack of excellent playing lower priced instruments. There is truly a whistle for everyone

[Mr.Gumby]

If you want to feel even better about high end whistles, look at prices for other instruments. Uillean pipes, violins,harps, mandolins: you usually have to pay much more than the cost of an expensive whistle just to get out of the gate.

Total case of apples and oranges. A spurious argument trotted out here each and every time. 'Even a bow for a cello would cost more than the most expensive whistle'. Yes that's true and an aeroplane would be more expensive than a bicycle. How is that relevant?

They different things and a totally different effort goes into making them. It doesn't wash.


Will we move on to arguing about the confusion between 'a great deal more expensive' and 'high end' now?

[brewerpaul]

Total case of apples and oranges. A spurious argument made here each and every time. 'Even a bow for a cello would cost more than the most expensive whistle'. Yes that's true and an aeroplane would be more expensive than a bicycle. How is that relevant?

They different things and a totally different effort goes into making them. It doesn't wash.

Chill dude-- I was just pointing out that we, as whistle players, are not nearly so prone to bankrupting expenses that players of other instruments are, and that even the best of the best whistles are not a "take out a second mortgage" expense.

[pancelticpiper]

A spurious argument trotted out here each and every time.

I don't know what's spurious about stating that whistles cost less than uilleann pipes.

This issue really hit me when I gave up playing the flute, and for the money that I got for selling just one of the flutes that I owned I was able to go out and purchase several Low D whistles (a Copeland, a Reviol with three bodies, a Burke, and two MKs).

There's something cool about playing along with a $15000 set of uilleann pipes and a $2000 violin and a $3000 guitar and a $3000 flute on a $6 whistle, or even a $300 Low Whistle.

[I.D.10-t]

Harmonica seems to be another instrument where professionals play sub $100 instruments.
Cheaper still to ask the waitress for a pair of spoons.

[talasiga]

The apex of high end whistle
is the one given by a veteran whistle virtuoso
to his or her humble student who shows promise

But alas! we do not hear much about this in a culture
where people think that money can buy everything

[Feadoggie]

Harmonica seems to be another instrument where professionals play sub $100 instruments.

The harmonica is indeed a humble instrument but things are not always as humble as they appear. Several pros I have spoken with have their instruments made to order or specially prepared by master tweakers - for a price of course. But surely they never cost as much as a Loar era mandolin.

Feadoggie

[talasiga]

......humble instrument ........

the humbleness of an instrument
cannot be known by how much it cost

[chas]

I don't generally re-read anything.

I re-read loads of stuff. It helps having very little memory. I'm currently enjoying a three-book series of which the fourth book is coming out in February.

[MTGuru]

Check out, for example some astounding ukes: http://www.moorebettahukes.com/

Yes, those are well-known beauties. There's something of the "whistle effect" inflation in the uke world, too. When I bought my soprano uke I tried maybe 20-30 in the store, up to the most expensive Martin 3K and the like. And I chose my Big Island because it simply sounded and played better, with superb workmanship at 1/10 the cost.

Then there's my friend who paid $10K for a beautiful custom guitar, and ended up preferring his old Ibanez ...