the buzz
Is Purple here to stay?
We needed extra security to get the Purple low whistles back from the anodisers without loosing a few to anyone with sticky fingers. Everyone who saw them had something to say. It’s probably true purple isn’t everyone’s cup to tea … but whichever way, it seems you’ll still stand back and marvel at these.
When I checked the to see who had placed an advance order for one I found that the waiting list stretched back to 2007! making it the longest anyone has had to wait for an MK Whistle (not including the keys we aren’t making)
The question however is are they here to stay? The Blue Low Ds were run as a limited edition about this time last year, and we haven’t done any since, despite occasional enquiries. From my point of view keeping even three colours (red, green & black) in stock in quite a challenge, but these more exotic colours (the red, blue and purple particularly) do have something special about them – an extra magic. Sometimes one comes off the workbench and I just stand there looking at it. Even before it’s first breath it’s singing, and I languish for a few seconds before going back to filing, cutting, setting, gluing, etc etc.
What do you think? should purple stay?
New product launch
We don’t yet have an exact date (after the last time you wouldn’t take us seriously anyway!) yet but there’ll be a new product launched soon. watch this space…
Zac Leger’s Video Reviews of the Mk Low D Whistles
Mk Pro and Kelpie Low D whistles
Check out Zac Leger’s review of the MK Pro & Kelpie Low D whistles. I’ve been in touch backwards and forwards with Zac collecting his thoughts on new models. It’s always good to get second opinions from folk as talented as Zac. Check out http://www.youtube.com/
Early Feedback on the Kelpie_ from Raymond Smith
Dear Misha,
Just a note to let you know how happy I am with my new MK Kelpie Low D Whistle.
As an absolute beginner with low whistles, and little more than a beginner with whistles in general, it was important to me that my first low whistle came from a respected maker, had a good sound, was immediately accessible, and represented good value for money; the MK Kelpie exceeds all of my requirements.
As an instrument designed with the novice in mind, it works wonderfully. Your reputation in the whistling community as an exacting craftsman making whistles of a consistently excellent standard lets me focus totally on my playing. I can be confident that any funny noises are my fault, and not the instrument’s – I can’t ‘blame’ the whistle and set it aside dismissively as a ‘bad’ one! The one-piece construction also eliminates excuses – there’s no faffing around repeatedly micro-adjusting the tuning or aligning the head with the body – I just blow and go! The look of the Kelpie is also a major plus. It’s a beautifully designed and crafted instrument, and the satin-anodised finish is pleasing to both the eye and the touch – it’s just so pretty, I can’t resist showing it off to people! The Kelpie is also teaching me proper whistling techniques. I’m something of a ‘wet whistler’, and was initially frustrated with clogging issues – but this was easily dealt with by me actually properly warming the whistle before playing (another side-effect is that, to not have to keep spending time warming-up, I simply keep on playing for longer!). Finally, and most importantly, is the sound. In the first octave, the Kelpie has such a deep, resonant, flute-like sound, it’s a dream to listen to. In the second octave, it’s sweet and pure, but with a nice breathiness that never gets shrill. In the past I’ve felt inhibited while playing, worried about others judging the sound I’m making. With the Kelpie, the sound is so good that, even if I’m just tootling up and down scales with no tune in mind, the result is always pleasing – so confident am I about the sound the Kelpie makes, I’ve even spent the afternoon in the park, whistling in public (a Major breakthrough I can tell you!).
I’m also finding that playing my Kelpie is helping with playing my high whistle too. The extra air needed to play the Kelpie is training my lungs to work better, and this extra puff and control is making it easier for me to play the second octave on my high whistle, and to play it well – a brilliant bonus!
Of course, it’s practice that makes the master, but there’s no doubt that the right instrument makes the practice more enjoyable, more frequent, and more rewarding – to my mind, the Kelpie is unquestionably the right instrument, and I would recommend it to all beginners (and to any experts who want a quality whistle!).
Thanks, Misha, for making such an excellent whistle!
Wishing you every future success,
Raymond Smith
Here Comes the Kelpie… New Product Launch!
The news from the Elves down in the engine room at the MK workshops, is that they have a new product in production – due for release around, if not on, March the 1st…
New for 2011! Satin Finish Low Ds!
We’ve been working on a new Satin finish model of our current instruments. These are based on exactly the same high-quality crafting and machining of our other instruments, but feature a Satin finish and will be available in our standard colours – Red, Green and Black. For the Low Ds we’re starting these off at – £199. We do currently have Black ones available ahead of the official product launch in 2011 – please get in touch if you like one or tell your friends! – if you’re quick you might just scrape in before last post dates ahead of Christmas! Pictures to follow…
Feature in the New Design Magazine
Mk Whistles have been featured in the latest issue of New Design, a magazine dedicated to what’s new and inspiring in the world of design. Read the article, and check out the magazine.
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