A lovely whistle to have available, and one that is increasingly difficult to find. The tone here is classic in the best sense: that tight, compressed, sweet sound that Gary Humphrey's instruments were known for, with a clear, bright voice and excellent intonation. Octave balance is very good, with the upper register speaking freely without harshness.
The Stealth III is designed to feel familiar in the hand, much like a traditional mass-produced whistle, but built to strict tolerances. The mouthpiece is black acetal, and the tube is a single length of brush finished brass tubing, tunable by sliding the mouthpiece up and down on the tube. An etched line on the upper end of the tube serves as a reference point for tuning. This example was custom ordered by the consignor in 2024 and is in excellent shape.
About the Maker
Gary Humphrey Jr. passed away on September 3, 2025, at only 55 years old. He built his whistles with a consistency and thoughtfulness that earned him a devoted following in the traditional music community. His head joint design in particular stood out: carefully voiced windways that produced a clear, sweet tone with good response across both octaves and a session-friendly volume that sat comfortably in the mix without overwhelming other instruments. Players often described the sound as like a really good Generation, with none of the issues. With no production continuing, his instruments are now only available secondhand, and examples in this condition are becoming genuinely hard to find.
Condition: Used - Excellent
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