I have a Burke D whistle. I purchased it last year (one year used...so they say). I have really enjoyed playing it and love the sound it produces...until recently. A few weeks ago it started leaking in the ...uhhh... fipple area?(the wind opening area). For lack of a better description, I get spit bubbles in the corners. "Condensation" builds up in that area and changes the overall quality of sound (pitch and loudness). I am also unable to play any notes much higher than f or so without downright screaming into it. If I wipe the area and get the spit out of that area it's okay...but after playing for a few seconds it all starts again. so, my question is what the #$@%%^ do I do to fix this? It's driving my CRAZY! Do Burke whistles have a reputation for this? I hope not because I have just purchased a NEW Burke low D whistle!
Thanks!! Jenny
Jenny, I have several Burke whistles, purchased new over a year ago ans have not encountered any problems like you mention. I do periodically clean my windway according to Michael's instructions (as follow); "Cleaning of Delron Lined Whistle Heads: Treatment with soap solution will keep the windway clean and help keep saliva from accumulating in the windway. Put several drops of dishwashing detergent in a 2 - 4 oz squeeze bottle filled with water. Drip this solution through the windway as shown (hold whistle fipple end up with the voice window facing down). Remove excess solution by blowing through the window or mouthpiece. Keep finger over window to protect your hearing. Allow whistle to dry completely before use or storage. Do not use a rigid object to clean the windway, probing may cause damage to the voicing of the window." My Burke's are beautiful instruments and among my favorites. Good luck with yours.
Sounds like a simple condensation issue. I think Mr Burke coats them on the way out the door. Warming up the whistle before playing always helps some. The dishwashing detergent (also, Jet Dri works amazingly) will make things work better as long as you apply it every so often.
My first Burke whistle was bought in 2000 and it's still a great player. I have a 2006 D whistle and a Low D Viper also, and both are great....fear not.
Jenny told ye so !! heres is answer is less tha 20 minutes ; Michael Burke to me
show details 20:49
Hi Jenny,
I take it that this is not your whistle, but a whistle owned by a person that posts on Session.org?
I have been sealing the blocks in the heads for about two years or 2.5 years, so your new whistle will never have any problem with this.
It is likely that the whistle was made before I started sealing them. It can be fixed by sending it in to me with $10 for postage and handling.
All the best
Mike
Mike,
Actually, this is my whistle. Does my inexperience really show through even on the compputer?? (I have played classical flute for most of my life but have been playing irish flute and whistles now for about a year or two). It is possible that I have one of your older whistles. I purchased it August 2006. It was a one-year old used whistle (purchased from a guy out Utah-"The Irish Flute Store"- I think). So it is very possible that this whistle was made before you began sealing the blocks in the heads. I,quite nervously, cleaned it as suggested in the previous replies. It seems to have helped a bit, but I have not really had a chance to play it for a long period of time since the cleaning. I may end up just sending it to you as I truly love this whistle and want to continue using it. I am even getting the low D viper for Christmas. Do you know how hard it is to see the box with the whistle sitting in your bedroom closet and being told that you CANNOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS?? What a painful lesson in patience!
Thanks so much for the reply. Where do I send the whistle for the quick fix?
Jenny
P.S.- Thanks "Enigma" for all your assistance and contacting Mike....that idea had never occured to me! Thanks!
JG
Leaky whistle
Leaky whistle
I have a Burke D whistle. I purchased it last year (one year used...so they say). I have really enjoyed playing it and love the sound it produces...until recently. A few weeks ago it started leaking in the ...uhhh... fipple area?(the wind opening area). For lack of a better description, I get spit bubbles in the corners. "Condensation" builds up in that area and changes the overall quality of sound (pitch and loudness). I am also unable to play any notes much higher than f or so without downright screaming into it. If I wipe the area and get the spit out of that area it's okay...but after playing for a few seconds it all starts again. so, my question is what the #$@%%^ do I do to fix this? It's driving my CRAZY! Do Burke whistles have a reputation for this? I hope not because I have just purchased a NEW Burke low D whistle!
Thanks!! Jenny
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by JenJenBear
Re: Leaky whistle
Jenny, I have several Burke whistles, purchased new over a year ago ans have not encountered any problems like you mention. I do periodically clean my windway according to Michael's instructions (as follow); "Cleaning of Delron Lined Whistle Heads: Treatment with soap solution will keep the windway clean and help keep saliva from accumulating in the windway. Put several drops of dishwashing detergent in a 2 - 4 oz squeeze bottle filled with water. Drip this solution through the windway as shown (hold whistle fipple end up with the voice window facing down). Remove excess solution by blowing through the window or mouthpiece. Keep finger over window to protect your hearing. Allow whistle to dry completely before use or storage. Do not use a rigid object to clean the windway, probing may cause damage to the voicing of the window." My Burke's are beautiful instruments and among my favorites. Good luck with yours.
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by whistler gan ainm
Re: Leaky whistle
Sounds like a simple condensation issue. I think Mr Burke coats them on the way out the door. Warming up the whistle before playing always helps some. The dishwashing detergent (also, Jet Dri works amazingly) will make things work better as long as you apply it every so often.
My first Burke whistle was bought in 2000 and it's still a great player. I have a 2006 D whistle and a Low D Viper also, and both are great....fear not.
# Posted on November 29th 2007 by Ashkettle
Re: Leaky whistle
Jen Jen speak with Michael directly !!!.
I've taken the liberty of resending your post to him and expect he'll get back within 48 hrs or so ;)
Slán
# Posted on December 3rd 2007 by Enigma
Re: Leaky whistle
Jenny told ye so !! heres is answer is less tha 20 minutes ; Michael Burke to me
show details 20:49
Hi Jenny,
I take it that this is not your whistle, but a whistle owned by a person that posts on Session.org?
I have been sealing the blocks in the heads for about two years or 2.5 years, so your new whistle will never have any problem with this.
It is likely that the whistle was made before I started sealing them. It can be fixed by sending it in to me with $10 for postage and handling.
All the best
Mike
# Posted on December 3rd 2007 by Enigma
Re: Leaky whistle
Mike,
Actually, this is my whistle. Does my inexperience really show through even on the compputer?? (I have played classical flute for most of my life but have been playing irish flute and whistles now for about a year or two). It is possible that I have one of your older whistles. I purchased it August 2006. It was a one-year old used whistle (purchased from a guy out Utah-"The Irish Flute Store"- I think). So it is very possible that this whistle was made before you began sealing the blocks in the heads. I,quite nervously, cleaned it as suggested in the previous replies. It seems to have helped a bit, but I have not really had a chance to play it for a long period of time since the cleaning. I may end up just sending it to you as I truly love this whistle and want to continue using it. I am even getting the low D viper for Christmas. Do you know how hard it is to see the box with the whistle sitting in your bedroom closet and being told that you CANNOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS?? What a painful lesson in patience!
Thanks so much for the reply. Where do I send the whistle for the quick fix?
Jenny
P.S.- Thanks "Enigma" for all your assistance and contacting Mike....that idea had never occured to me! Thanks!
JG
Leaky whistle
Leaky whistle
I have a Burke D whistle. I purchased it last year (one year used...so they say). I have really enjoyed playing it and love the sound it produces...until recently. A few weeks ago it started leaking in the ...uhhh... fipple area?(the wind opening area). For lack of a better description, I get spit bubbles in the corners. "Condensation" builds up in that area and changes the overall quality of sound (pitch and loudness). I am also unable to play any notes much higher than f or so without downright screaming into it. If I wipe the area and get the spit out of that area it's okay...but after playing for a few seconds it all starts again. so, my question is what the #$@%%^ do I do to fix this? It's driving my CRAZY! Do Burke whistles have a reputation for this? I hope not because I have just purchased a NEW Burke low D whistle!
Thanks!! Jenny
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by JenJenBear
Re: Leaky whistle
Jenny, I have several Burke whistles, purchased new over a year ago ans have not encountered any problems like you mention. I do periodically clean my windway according to Michael's instructions (as follow); "Cleaning of Delron Lined Whistle Heads: Treatment with soap solution will keep the windway clean and help keep saliva from accumulating in the windway. Put several drops of dishwashing detergent in a 2 - 4 oz squeeze bottle filled with water. Drip this solution through the windway as shown (hold whistle fipple end up with the voice window facing down). Remove excess solution by blowing through the window or mouthpiece. Keep finger over window to protect your hearing. Allow whistle to dry completely before use or storage. Do not use a rigid object to clean the windway, probing may cause damage to the voicing of the window." My Burke's are beautiful instruments and among my favorites. Good luck with yours.
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by whistler gan ainm
Re: Leaky whistle
Sounds like a simple condensation issue. I think Mr Burke coats them on the way out the door. Warming up the whistle before playing always helps some. The dishwashing detergent (also, Jet Dri works amazingly) will make things work better as long as you apply it every so often.
My first Burke whistle was bought in 2000 and it's still a great player. I have a 2006 D whistle and a Low D Viper also, and both are great....fear not.
# Posted on November 29th 2007 by Ashkettle
Re: Leaky whistle
Jen Jen speak with Michael directly !!!.
I've taken the liberty of resending your post to him and expect he'll get back within 48 hrs or so ;)
Slán
# Posted on December 3rd 2007 by Enigma
Re: Leaky whistle
Jenny told ye so !! heres is answer is less tha 20 minutes ; Michael Burke to me
show details 20:49
Hi Jenny,
I take it that this is not your whistle, but a whistle owned by a person that posts on Session.org?
I have been sealing the blocks in the heads for about two years or 2.5 years, so your new whistle will never have any problem with this.
It is likely that the whistle was made before I started sealing them. It can be fixed by sending it in to me with $10 for postage and handling.
All the best
Mike
# Posted on December 3rd 2007 by Enigma
Re: Leaky whistle
Mike,
(I have played classical flute for most of my life but have been playing irish flute and whistles now for about a year or two). It is possible that I have one of your older whistles. I purchased it August 2006. It was a one-year old used whistle (purchased from a guy out Utah-"The Irish Flute Store"- I think). So it is very possible that this whistle was made before you began sealing the blocks in the heads. I,quite nervously, cleaned it as suggested in the previous replies. It seems to have helped a bit, but I have not really had a chance to play it for a long period of time since the cleaning. I may end up just sending it to you as I truly love this whistle and want to continue using it. I am even getting the low D viper for Christmas. Do you know how hard it is to see the box with the whistle sitting in your bedroom closet and being told that you CANNOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS?? What a painful lesson in patience! 
Actually, this is my whistle. Does my inexperience really show through even on the compputer??
Thanks so much for the reply. Where do I send the whistle for the quick fix?
Jenny
P.S.- Thanks "Enigma" for all your assistance and contacting Mike....that idea had never occured to me! Thanks!
JG
# Posted on December 5th 2007 by JenJenBear
Re: Leaky whistle
Leaky whistle
Leaky whistle
I have a Burke D whistle. I purchased it last year (one year used...so they say). I have really enjoyed playing it and love the sound it produces...until recently. A few weeks ago it started leaking in the ...uhhh... fipple area?(the wind opening area). For lack of a better description, I get spit bubbles in the corners. "Condensation" builds up in that area and changes the overall quality of sound (pitch and loudness). I am also unable to play any notes much higher than f or so without downright screaming into it. If I wipe the area and get the spit out of that area it's okay...but after playing for a few seconds it all starts again. so, my question is what the #$@%%^ do I do to fix this? It's driving my CRAZY! Do Burke whistles have a reputation for this? I hope not because I have just purchased a NEW Burke low D whistle!
Thanks!! Jenny
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by JenJenBear
Re: Leaky whistle
Jenny, I have several Burke whistles, purchased new over a year ago ans have not encountered any problems like you mention. I do periodically clean my windway according to Michael's instructions (as follow); "Cleaning of Delron Lined Whistle Heads: Treatment with soap solution will keep the windway clean and help keep saliva from accumulating in the windway. Put several drops of dishwashing detergent in a 2 - 4 oz squeeze bottle filled with water. Drip this solution through the windway as shown (hold whistle fipple end up with the voice window facing down). Remove excess solution by blowing through the window or mouthpiece. Keep finger over window to protect your hearing. Allow whistle to dry completely before use or storage. Do not use a rigid object to clean the windway, probing may cause damage to the voicing of the window." My Burke's are beautiful instruments and among my favorites. Good luck with yours.
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by whistler gan ainm
Re: Leaky whistle
Sounds like a simple condensation issue. I think Mr Burke coats them on the way out the door. Warming up the whistle before playing always helps some. The dishwashing detergent (also, Jet Dri works amazingly) will make things work better as long as you apply it every so often.
My first Burke whistle was bought in 2000 and it's still a great player. I have a 2006 D whistle and a Low D Viper also, and both are great....fear not.
# Posted on November 29th 2007 by Ashkettle
Re: Leaky whistle
Jen Jen speak with Michael directly !!!.
I've taken the liberty of resending your post to him and expect he'll get back within 48 hrs or so ;)
Slán
# Posted on December 3rd 2007 by Enigma
Re: Leaky whistle
Jenny told ye so !! heres is answer is less tha 20 minutes ; Michael Burke to me
show details 20:49
Hi Jenny,
I take it that this is not your whistle, but a whistle owned by a person that posts on Session.org?
I have been sealing the blocks in the heads for about two years or 2.5 years, so your new whistle will never have any problem with this.
It is likely that the whistle was made before I started sealing them. It can be fixed by sending it in to me with $10 for postage and handling.
All the best
Mike
# Posted on December 3rd 2007 by Enigma
Re: Leaky whistle
Mike,
Actually, this is my whistle. Does my inexperience really show through even on the compputer?? (I have played classical flute for most of my life but have been playing irish flute and whistles now for about a year or two). It is possible that I have one of your older whistles. I purchased it August 2006. It was a one-year old used whistle (purchased from a guy out Utah-"The Irish Flute Store"- I think). So it is very possible that this whistle was made before you began sealing the blocks in the heads. I,quite nervously, cleaned it as suggested in the previous replies. It seems to have helped a bit, but I have not really had a chance to play it for a long period of time since the cleaning. I may end up just sending it to you as I truly love this whistle and want to continue using it. I am even getting the low D viper for Christmas. Do you know how hard it is to see the box with the whistle sitting in your bedroom closet and being told that you CANNOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS?? What a painful lesson in patience!
Thanks so much for the reply. Where do I send the whistle for the quick fix?
Jenny
P.S.- Thanks "Enigma" for all your assistance and contacting Mike....that idea had never occured to me! Thanks!
JG
# Posted on December 11th 2007 by JenJenBear