I have an updated video on this model at: https://youtu.be/MRmAFf_So6w
My name is Chris Wall
and I'm a flutemaker from Columbia, SC. I make
play and sell 7 types of old world flutes in a wide array of keys. I
have been giving private lessons, selling in person, and selling on etsy
for a while, but now I want to reach a wider and more international
crowd with my flutes and whistles. This listing is designed to help you
make a custom order from me, while still retaining the benefits of
buying through ebay. I will be updating my wait time in real time.
Current wait time for your order to ship is three business days from the time of the order.
This
listing is for the new model of whistles that I am going to exclusively
make from here on out. I had originally planned on continuing to offer
Session Bore, Narrow Bore, and Pro Models, but this has proved to be
confusing for my customers, so I'm going to exclusively sell what I
previously called Pro Model, but now it is just going to be known as a
Whistle by Chris Wall. I will be continuing to offer the old models as
auctions occasionally, but this listing will always be up. This model
has a precision bore that is somewhere between session and narrow, the
sweet spot if you will. They are loud enough to hold their own with
other instruments, but soft enough to be enjoyable during solo play. I
have given the option for you to pick from any of the keys that I
currently make.
While coming up with my design concept, I studied whistles crafted by
the best in the business. Namely, Sindt, Copeland, and O'Riordan. These makers shaped the whistle landscape and set the bar impossibly high, but two of them are now retired and one is only in light production. They have left a huge gaping hole in the realm of truly handcrafted whistles. I do not claim to be at their level by any stretch of imagination, but I do hope to one day be able to be in the same conversation. You'll
find little design elements in my whistles that I noticed on theirs. They are
the best for a reason, and I owe much to them with my design.
I make my whistles by using a malleable industrial polymer, that I
have to work quickly with before it sets. The benefit of this is that I
can make a whistle or flute in any key I like, because I control the
physics of what I shape it into. After it is shaped and set, I put a
wood grain finish on it to give the appearance of wood in either brown or black. These pieces are not painted, and also have the texture of wood, not just the appearance. Nobody I have ever sold to or played
in front of has ever thought it was a type of plastic. Some even argued
it was wood after I told them it wasn't. It's very convincing, and I
wont tell if you wont ;)
Another benefit of the polymer is that it's waterproof, and wont
expand or shrink based on changes in room temperature and humidity, so basically you're getting the benefits of wood without the drawbacks. With the exception of the fipple block, which is actually hand cut from Oak Wood and then sealed to prevent
expansion from moisture build up.
These really are lovely whistles, and I
accept returns if you are unsatisfied. What do you have to lose?