Low Whistle
Brass Tuning Slide Tension Adjustment
Note: this applies only to brass tuning slides.
If you find that your brass tuning slide is a little loose you can tension it to exactly how you would like it…
To adjust tuning slide tension you are looking to gently squeeze the brass slide at the end.
If you have access to a vice, this is usually the best way of doing this (with some folded paper or paper towel to protect the brass/slide from the vice jaws). It doesn’t have to be a vice but it is the most precise method, so we would suggest visiting a friend with a vice before trying to make do with an old set of pliers, although wide jawed pliers should work also.
We usually recommend squeezing the sides rather than top and bottom – top and bottom would loosen it if you happened to over tension it. Best to start gently and try the slide after each squeeze to check tension. The first few times there may be no difference – but that’s fine – better to under-do it and build up than over-do it. You should be able to get it really nice and some slide grease should help make the seal at the end.
On mk pro whistles the brass tenon protudes from the bodytube on D, E, F and F# whistles, and from the head of mk pro G whistles.
mk whistle tuning slide being gently squeezed in vice to adjust tension.
Low Whistle Clogging
Clogging can be an issue for some whistle players. Because of this we have spent a lot of time creating whistles that are as ‘clog-free’ as possible. Even still, it can occasionally be an issue for some people. Everyone carries moisture in their breath, but some more than others, and this can condense in the airway forming moisture droplets which interrupt the airstream and cause air noise.
How do I know the issue is clogging?
Usually it develops over the course of a few minutes after starting to play. So if the whistle plays fine when you first pick it up, but then you start getting air-noise after a few minutes, then this is almost certainly because the moisture has been building up. Temperature may also have an affect. If the airnoise is more consistent i.e present every time you blow from the moment you pick-up the whistle, then the source of the issue may lie with something else.
What can I do about it?
The good news is that there are a few things you can try. A watery solution that we can provide, called ‘anticondense’, can be sprayed onto the surfaces at the end of airway (please see photo). We don’t have this available to buy at the moment but please get in touch ( info @ mkwhistles.com) if you would like some. This causes the moisture to form in a thin layer, rather than a droplet (for those with technical know-how this is releases the ‘surface tension’). It should be applied when the instrument is dry and then allowed to dry before playing. In most cases this does help a good deal, and it is worth experimenting with.
The problem may improve over time
Do bear in mind that some whistle makes are better than others for clogging – so it may be with experimenting.
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/
Some feedback on the MK Pro Low D
Misha,
I wanted to spend some time with this whistle before I wrote to you. I have had it for nearly a week, I think. This is the finest low D whistle I have ever played – it is everything I tried to describe to you, and I cannot thank you enough for it. I really don’t know what else to say…
Regards, Erik
Mk Pro Low Fs in Stock for the First Time
At one time the waiting list was 3 years, but for the first time since starting out over ten years ago, we actually have some Pro Fs in stock. It is only a small number though, so it might not be for long!
Certainly one continuing frustration here has been having to tell people it’ll be six or twelve months or even several years till we’ll have their instrument ready for them. The standard response is ‘but I have a gig in xxx, what shall I do?’. Certainly recent troubles with anodising (a fire at the anodisers) hasn’t helped matters, and some people are still currently waiting for Green and Red Fs, but they wont be long, and I hope we are finally getting on top of things.
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