What Wood for Whistle and Why? (New related question added o

Sunnywindo · Post by **Sunnywindo** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 12:47 pm

So I've been dreaming of a wooden whistle. But I am left wondering about the different kinds of wood. There are so many. Obviously, there is a difference in color. But what are some of the other differences? Are some woods better for whistles than others? What kinds of wood have you (board members) choosen for your whistles and what factors made you decide on that wood. Was it color, availability, or something else? Is there a preference amoung whistlers for favoring one wood over others? Looking forward to your responses.

TY!

_________________
'I wish it need not have happend in my time,' said Frodo.
'So do I,' said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'

-LOTR-

[ This Message was edited by: Sunnywindo on 2003-02-19 13:49 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Sunnywindo on 2003-02-22 14:01 ]

McHaffie · Post by **McHaffie** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 12:53 pm

Boy have you opened up a can of worms!!!

It varies from person to person I'm sure, and I've never made a wooden whistle, but I HAVE made a few 5-hole pentatonic scale Native American flutes. I found cedar to have my favorite overall tone.

I am betting that some people purchased their wooden whistle based on the sound you can get from different woods. I know it makes a marked difference in sound as far as the 'flutes' I've made.

I'm sure you'll get more details from others!!

Take care,
John

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:06 pm

(with apologies to Bing Crosby...)

I'm dreaming of a wood whistle,
Just like the ones I used to blow,
Cause they look so pretty
And they smell so nifty
And the grain is knarled like little bows

I'm dreaming of a wood whistle,
With every order that I write!
Brass and nickel, silver shines so bright!
As I order up more whistles left and right.

--James
http://www.flutesite.com

[ This Message was edited by: peeplj on 2003-02-19 14:06 ]

Dragon · Post by **Dragon** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:06 pm

Wellll.....

I have heard that what kind of wood you use for whistles does not have much affect on the sound. However, I also play the Native American flute, and the type of wood does have diffrent sound "flavors".
But, NA flutes tend to be larger than most whistles. Also, with NA flutes the sound is created by a diffrent design than what is used with whistles. So, my bet is that depending on the size of the whistle, the type of wood will have more or less effect on the sound.

Happy Playing,
Sage

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:10 pm

I would give blackwood serious thought. There must be reasons for its dominance in woodwind manufacture.

Mike J · Post by **Mike J** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:46 pm

I'm dreaming of a wood whistle,
Just like the ones I used to blow,
Cause they look so pretty
And they smell so nifty
And the grain is knarled like little bows

I'm dreaming of a wood whistle,
With every order that I write!
Brass and nickel, silver shines so bright!
As I order up more whistles left and right.

You had to go there! You just HAD to go there! Now I can't get White Christmas out of my head. ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH ! ! ! !

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:50 pm

Course it gets a whole new smell once you grease it up with a petroleum product.

markv · Post by **markv** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 2:10 pm

On 2003-02-19 14:50, Walden wrote:
Course it gets a whole new smell once you grease it up with a petroleum product.

Walden I sure hope nobody quotes you out of context with this statement!

Mark V.

TonyHiggins · Post by **TonyHiggins** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 2:34 pm

Avoid soft woods. They're more prone to dings and scratches and may not hold a finish as well. Whistles of the same wood vary from the same maker, so it's hard to compare tone differences based upon type of wood.
Tony

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 2:37 pm

On 2003-02-19 15:10, markv wrote:
On 2003-02-19 14:50, Walden wrote:
Course it gets a whole new smell once you grease it up with a petroleum product.

Walden I sure hope nobody quotes you out of context with this statement!

I do to. I was referring to petroleum based bore oils, as opposed to almond oil and the like.

chas · Post by **chas** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 3:07 pm

Ah, a subject close to my heart. The stock answer, as has been pointed out, is that the wood for a whistle makes very little difference in the sound. Glenn Schultz has told me exactly that; the sound is almost exclusively in the design of the windway and blade.

I'm not sure I buy that completely. I hate to think that I pay the premium for wooden whistles just for the look and feel. OTOH, I do believe that the variation between different handmade and -voiced whistles is greater than the actual, real contribution of the particular type of wood.

All that said, my favorite wood for whistles is boxwood. By a longshot. It has a (to my ears at least) very warm sound, a wonderful feel, and even a nice smell. It takes more care than other types of wood -- it tends to absorb and give off moisture more readily, so needs to be oiled more often. I'm quite fond of cocobolo, too. I'm not crazy about blackwood -- it seems to lack individuality.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 3:13 pm

A while ago Sturob posted a picture of some pink ivory Abells. Those are absolutely gorgeous.

McHaffie · Post by **McHaffie** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 3:40 pm

Well that's cool to find out. I didn't figure it would make much difference what kind of wind instrument it was..... I didn't realize it wouldn't make much difference. Oh well, learn somethin' new every day!

I don't own any wood whistles personally, so I would bet on everyone elses opinions!!!

Take care all,
John

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 4:11 pm

Have any of you whistle smiths here ever made a whistle out of olive wood? I'm curious, because it's so beautiful, but I don't know how suitable it is for lathing, or how well it wears.

I'm looking at putting in an order for a wooden whistle this summer, so I'm curious about the virtues of various woods as well.

Redwolf

chas · Post by **chas** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 4:40 pm

On 2003-02-19 17:11, Redwolf wrote:
Have any of you whistle smiths here ever made a whistle out of olive wood?

I've seen pics of at least one whistle Paul Busman's made from olivewood. It is lovely, but I have no regrets getting a bocote whistle from him. Think rosewood or cocobolo with a finer, more complex brass-colored grain.