I’ve been looking for a good, solid, but not-too-expensive C whistle for a few months now, and haven’t had much luck. I tried a Clarke and a Sweetone, but they both sound too rough for me. I tried two different Oaks, which are okay when I play alone – but neither are tuned right to C, even when warmed up. Just this week I got a Dixon, which I fully expected to love (I’ve got a D and B-flat which are both wonderful), but it just feels kind of wrong. It’s a bit too breathy and I feel like the notes slide past rather than catching nicely. It’s okay, I guess, but I expected better. Does anyone have any ideas? (I tend to like whistles with a clear sound – my favorites in other keys have been Oaks, Dixons, and Silkstones.)
Hmmm, I’ve got a Water Weazel “C” whistle, and I really love it. It has a clear, strong sound. I actually much prefer the Weazel “C” over the “D”.
Sindt
I second Sindt.
I also like the Water Weasel C.
I like the Susato C best of the
Susatos. It has a pure tone without
much chiff and without shrillness
in the upper register. Might be
worth a try, as it isn’t pricey.
The Silkstone alloy C is a good whistle,
too. I am one of the minority who
doesn’t much like Sindt whistles,
except for the D whistle–which
is very good indeed.
I haven’t actually tried one of these yet (I’m ordering one tomorrow), but the sound clip of the Concert C on Erik the Flutemaker’s page (www.eriktheflutemaker.com) sounds quite good, and it is inexpensive (under $35). You could give it a listen…
I forgot to say, how is the weather there in Wisconsin? I grew up there and have only lived in Utah the last few years. I miss it sometimes!
Good luck with finding a good C.
Sindt and Water Weasel are both terrific choices. The Weasel is also available in a set with one head and 3 bodies for C,D, Eb, which is a good deal.
I have played neither a Sindt C or a Silkstone alloy C…But if they are anything like the D’s, I whole-heartedly suggest them. In fact…Loren has a Sindt C that is somewhat for sale…
Brent
My Water Weasel C has a wonderful tonality, and playing the Julia Delaney/Fahey’s combination on this whistle (tunes are written in D minor, so a C Whistle is perfect)is my personal favorite for playing. I have a Chieftain C, and Clarke C, and definitely prefer the WaterWeasel. As I recall, it was around $70 from Glenn Schultz directly, and he can ship immediately. Glenn’s easy to speak with on the phone, and it won’t hurt to mention your C&F connection.
I have a “C” made by Noah Herbison that has become my favorite practice whistle. Requires very little air, soft but pure tone with great upper register. Can be played fast but excels due to the sweetness of the tone.
I have played a Burke brass C that was outstanding (costs a bit more) but ended up buying the D.
oops – left out an important part. Noah sells whistles as “laughing whistles,” and has a website under that name.
Well, if you could only buy one C whistle in the $100 range, and it had to be easy to play and sound reasonably good in most situations…I’d go with a Burke (Brass) or a Sindt. I actually like the way the Sindt sounds and plays a bit better, but you can’t play the standard cross fingered C nat (or what would be C nat on a D whistle) on the Sindt.
To be fair though, I’ve heard the Silkstone alloy C is phenomenal, but alas I’ve not had an opportuninty to play a single Silkstone yet 
Loren