Hello!
I've been looking around on the elfsong website and thinking about getting one of those beautiful little things.. but I'm a bit confused about the two different types, copper tone and sassy brass. What are the main differences? I've only ever played a clarke original, sweetone and a regular Waltons D... Can anybody try to educate me please?
I had a copper c/d combo elfsong. The first difference you'll notice between the brands you have and the elfsong is the weight. It is made of copper tubing and is hefty compared to the clarkes, etc... not uncomfortable just a different feeling. The tone of the Elfsong is much purer... a clear, sweet sound. The first time I played the Elfsong, it gave me the impression of liquid sound flowing from it. I highly recommend them with the caveat that it is completely different from what you are used to. Do a search on this site and you will get a lot of positive reviews on the Elfsongs.
I have a copper Elfsong D. I love it to bits. Couldn't be happier with it.
<i>The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit their views. Which can be uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.</i>
I asked Sandy at West Coast Whistle Company some of those same questions before ordering a copper C/D Combo with an oak fipple plug. As I recall, she said that the copper would be more mellow compared to the brass, which would be "brighter." I think she also said that the oak fipple plug would be quieter than the Delrin plug. She hasn't updated her web site for awhile, but I'm pretty sure that she offers all her whistles in brass or copper.
I suggest that you contact Sandy directly with your questions. You'll find her very friendly and helpful.
I haven't received my combo yet, but I'm expecting an e-mail from her any day now telling me that she's ready to post my whistles.
Lawrence
"Well, Scotty, now you've done it!" - McCoy
"Aye. The haggis is in the fire for sure." - Scotty
DaftCorbie wrote:Hello!
I've been looking around on the elfsong website and thinking about getting one of those beautiful little things.. but I'm a bit confused about the two different types, copper tone and sassy brass. What are the main differences? I've only ever played a clarke original, sweetone and a regular Waltons D... Can anybody try to educate me please?
Thanks in advance, all the best
Illi
I have an Elfsong Sassy Brass C/D combo. Before that I started with a Clarke original, a Walton's and a Susato. I can't speak on the difference between brass and copper as I only have brass. I can write about the differences between the Clarke, the Walton and the Elfsong.
One of the first things I noticed was that the upper register was much easier to reach and control on the Elfsong. The sound seems quieter to the ear but a decibel meter indicates otherwise. When recording, the Elfsong sounds so much cleaner than the other whistles. This is not so apparent when playing live. Other things about the Elfsong are the thicker metal, the heavier weight. It is a different feel and takes some getting used to. THe thick metal means that changes in temperature and warming the whistle are more of an issue than the lightweights.
The Clarke remains my first choice because of the length of time I spent playing it (10 years before buying a second whistle). The Elfsong produces much clearer recordings than the other whistles. The all plastic Susato is the choice for volume and durability for stuffing in a pack. The Walton is in the dog house at this point as people do not seem to like it as much as the others and tell me so.
+ Bill
didymus wrote:Do a search on this site and you will get a lot of positive reviews on the Elfsongs.
Just don't forget that Chiff is a board where you just get hammered when you dare post a bad review of a whistle, so positive reviews really don't mean anything, there might be as many people out there who don't like the whistle but you'll never know about it.
That's the reason why I think the only real way to buy a whistle is to try it first, or order one and return it if you don't like it.
I wish I could try one of those whistles but I've never seen one.
While I agree generally with Azalin, I have seen a few comments about the Elfsong which struck me as negative. I.e., I get the impression that it is not the whistle for me, although it may be perfect for someone else. There was a lot of hype when they were first 'discovered,' as there is about every decent 'newly discovered' whistle. Later, when one begins seeing them for sale, the realization sets in that perhaps their virtues had been exaggerated, since few people would be stupid enough to part with the greatest whistle in the world (unless, of course, they are just sick of whistles in general). As beautiful a whistle as it undoubtably is, I'll pass on the Elfsong.
I have a D/E combo. The E is the only one I have in that key and will do me just fine. I have loads of D whistles and I would have to admit that the Elfsong isn't one of my favourites. In roughly that price range, my favourite is the Sindt.
Ridseard wrote:Later, when one begins seeing them for sale, the realization sets in that perhaps their virtues had been exaggerated, since few people would be stupid enough to part with the greatest whistle in the world (unless, of course, they are just sick of whistles in general).
Or other reasons: I recently parted with some of the greatest whistles in the world, notably a perfect blackwood Rose. Posibly THE perfection IMHO.
Maybe I'm one of the "happy" few you mention
Now you're certainly right about letting the fads decant a while--then we see.
On the other hand, I've read very few mentions of Parkhurst whistles recently after being faddy here in 2002, and I think it's a pity of an overlook.
Ridseard wrote:... Later, when one begins seeing them for sale, the realization sets in that perhaps their virtues had been exaggerated, since few people would be stupid enough to part with the greatest whistle in the world (unless, of course, they are just sick of whistles in general).
The interesting exception to this are the Serpents, not many of which have shown up second hand. The reason for that, I think, is that people will hesitate to ask money for them. But then again, the owners I've spoken to and Serpent whistles I've played may have been unfortunate and unrepresentative deviations. Of course, the current "flatness" of the whistle market may be a related phenomenon.
Bloomfield, I've got 3 Serpents on hand, and a couple more on order, so they are very much to *my* taste. Not the One True Whistle (does it even exist?) but pretty nice whistles. And I don't recall any particular unhappiness with any of the recent (last year or so) Serpent metal whistles.
But I suspect that the Serpent Polly whistles tend to polarize people's views, especially since they've evolved quite noticably since their introduction.
The original Polly (no longer made) has a fair amount of backpressure and a very chiffy sound. Took me a while to warm to it (my tastes generally run towards purer whistles), but it is my favorite D whistle these days - responsive, well-balanced, moderate volume, easy to play.
The "Brassy" Polly was a whole 'nother experience. Similar sound, but quite a bit louder, and a very difference embouchure. Little backpressure, and it will accept a LOT of air, so at first it seems almost unplayable. Once I figured out the embouchure (more like how I play a Clarke than any other whistles I own), it's actually a pretty easy whistle to play, though it does need more breath support than most of the cheapies. But the first week I had it I was wondering if I'd made a mistake (still in that mood at last fall's SF Bay gathering - Tony or Alton may recall me mentioning it). These days, I play it nearly as much as the original Polly, though.
Bill has a new head design these days, the "Sweet Polly", that is supposed to require less of an embouchure adjustment. Don't know how it plays yet, but I've currently got a D/C set on order. (I was ordering a Sunsinger A and couldn't resist adding on. WhOA, me?). I'll post a review once I have a chance to try 'em out.
Summary: I think the Serpent metal whistles are pretty darn good. I think the Pollys are very good, especially for the money, but may not suit everyone's taste.
I have a Village Smithy and i think it's a very good whistle. It's not my usual kind of whistle, since i prefer my whistles to have no breathiness in them, but it's one of my most played whistles nonetheless. But then maybe i'm weird: my other favourite whistles are Water Weasel and Silkstone alloy.
On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog!
--Wellsprings--
Back to the Elfsongs...I love mine (I have a C/D combo that I bought what...would it be a year and a half ago? Two years? Time sure flies!). They're lovely whistles. You want to warm them up well, but the sound is absolutely yummy.
Redwolf
...agus déanfaidh mé do mholadh ar an gcruit a Dhia, a Dhia liom!
