Ralph G. Sweet Jr. (1929–2019) founded the Sweetheart Flute Company on his property in Hazardville, Connecticut, where he made wooden flutes, fifes, and whistles that have been played by folk and fife-and-drum musicians around the world. Sweet was a physics teacher, contra dance caller, and lifelong member of the fife and drum community. In 2017 he transferred the workshop to Joseph Morneault, who continues the tradition under the Musique Morneaux name.
This high D whistle was made by Ralph Sweet and carries serial number M1560. According to Joseph Morneault, it was made in 2002 from Honduran Rosewood; the M prefix denotes 10,000, making this instrument number 11,560 in the Sweet sequence. The body is turned rosewood with Sweet's characteristic recorder-influenced construction.
This whistle is in excellent, as-new condition and is a genuinely lovely player. The tone is clear and bright with real efficiency at the embouchure: it does not demand excess air. Volume is moderate to loud, but the balance between the octaves is particularly good. The second octave does not scream or thin out, which makes this whistle a pleasure at home as well as in a session or performance context. A rare and well-preserved example from a respected American maker.
Condition: Used - Excellent
Condition: Details:
