Hullo all,
So I’m just starting to play with a few other musicians and they favor the keys of D, Bb, and Ab.
I’ve got a few good D’s and am awaiting a new Bb. My question is whether my next whistle should be an Ab or an Eb (it’ll prolly be a Burke either way). I know the Eb will get me Ab.
Anyone here own both keys? Which do you favor? Is there a reason other than personal preference to lean toward one or the other?
Eb. There are more sessions and recordings where you’ll encounter that key. They’re easy to come by, and easy to resell. I can’t recall often needing to play in the key of Ab.
Absolutely Eb. You’ll rarely play in Ab unless you’re doing church stuff.
Doc
Thanks for the input fellas. That’s kinda what I thought.
Incidentally, I am doing church stuff! But since Eb gets me Ab pretty easily, I think I’ll go that route.
Thanks again. I’m kinda a cheapskate, and like to nitpick my spending before I drop a dime. This helps.
Many makers make Eb whistles. You might be able to get an inexpensive Eb tube for one of your D tooters and save a few bucks there as well.
Doc
I think I was reading somewhere around here where someone had taken a Burke mouthpiece and tapped it into a Generation whistle. An intriguing idea, at least temporarily until I figure out what keys they actually end up using.
I plan on trying out a bunch of Burke’s this weekend in Dublin. My wife will be with me to ensure that, cheapskate though I am, we have enough money left over to pay rent! 
If your church-playing experience is anything like mine, you might well find yourself with a rack of them resembling a rank of organ pipes. All the ‘soloists’ in my church sang in ‘their key’, like George Burns.
Yeah, it might be headed that way. Thing is, I won’t be working with soloists, necessarily. I’ll be working with the regular worship director, who wants whistle on a few key songs. They’ve let me know what keys they mostly stick to, and I’m trying to maximize in those keys. As well as have a viable excuse to buy a few more 
This is, however, The Year of Saving For The New Bike, so…funds are tight.
So, for those interested, Mr. Burke had a great selection of his fine intstruments in Dublin. One of the few whistles he left at home, however, was his low Eb. Rats!
He should be sending it to me soon, though. I’m pretty excited about it.
So, advice sought, given, and taken. Don’tcha love it when a plan comes together?
You’re right! You are on the edge of a slippery slope, drbald1.
Feadoggie
Mr. Burke is superb to do business with. Whistle came today. Plays wonderfully.
Slippery slope indeed…
Yep! I didn’t show the brass or composite whistles.
Feadoggie
Well, as stated previously, this is The Year of Saving For The New Bike, so…no more whistles for a while.
Seriously.