RFI: Ceramic four-hole whistles

[kcbirder]

I hope this is an appropriate place to post this RFI.

I have a ceramic whistle I just love, and would like to find more like it. It's a four-hole whistle with a fifth thumb hole. It plays a full scale plus one, with half steps above the third. The whistle is in the shape of a chickadee, is on a cord for wearing, and my sister has one from the same craftsman in the shape of a manatee. My chickadee plays beautifully, especially Christmas carols like Carol of the Birds

Google searches don't turn up anything quite as "fun" as my whistle...just classic ocarinas and transverse flutes.

I recently found the songbook that came with my whistle, but a search for the company comes up empty. According to the book, my whistle came from The Whistlesmith W. 5627 Clark Rd Mauston, Wisconsin. The phone number now belongs to someone name Pfaff, and an address search yields no results. I believe my whistle was purchased at a craft fair about 20 years ago. The craftsman had whistles in many fun shapes.

Any leads in someone doing something similar? Thanks for any help.

Heidi in KC MO

[fearfaoin]

Sounds like an Ocarina, rather than a whistle. Concentrate your googling accordingly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocarina

They come in several shapes. I have one shaped like a turtle.

Hopefully, Walden or another resident expert will come along with more info.

[lordofthestrings]

Certainly sounds like an ocarina to me as well. It's an instrument near and dear to my heart! When I was but a fledgling whistler, a pal of mine got me into the 'pot flute' (as it were) and I just adored it! I have several types, preferign the 'sweet potato' shape (like in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, for example). They have such a lovely haunting sound; I always make fans when I add use it during a gig! Yet the ceramic ones can be fragile! I sat on one once...

[Walden]

Any leads in someone doing something similar? Thanks for any help.

Heidi in KC MO

Yes, there are a number of makers doing the 4-holed ocarinas in all sorts of shapes. Here's a listing of makers. Some are dead links... not my fault they went away.

http://four.fsphost.com/ocland/englishguide.htm