Advice request on new Low F

Whistle
1

I currently play, and love, a Goldie Overton low F whistle. It’s probably my favorite whistle, in most instances: comfortable, great sound, responsive, and capable of some variation in tone color.

However, I play a couple tunes that linger at the top of the second octave, long notes in a melody, and the upper reaches on the Overton are, no matter what I try, not as pleasant on the ears as I’d like. Interestingly, I don’t have this issue with the OVerton Low D, but the F gets very loud and verges on screechy on slow, high tunes. Fine to just touch on the notes up there in a fast tune, but not so much for the slower ones.

So, what whistle am I looking for, then?

Wish list:

–Sweeter upper octave (than Overton), relatively easily achieved;

–A bit less chiff than the Overton, but not absolutely pure, either;

–Fairly agile at speed;

–Cost under $250, and no year-long waits (I’d love a Grinter or something, but it’s too dear, and maybe not exactly what I need, anyway. If you were about to send me one, though, you should go ahead. . .).

Thanks in advance!

–Aaron

2

I couldn’t resist… The O’Briain F is my favorite low F and exhibits the qualities you are looking for.

:slight_smile:

3

I haven’t been paying good enough attention here lately (surprise surprise! :slight_smile: ) but you may want to check with serpent?

I have heard many people refer to serpent whistles sounding very sweet all through the range of the whistle…

I don’t know if Low Fs are available or not… haven’t seen any specifics. Worth a shot though.

Take care,
John

4

I’d contact Colin Goldie directly and have him voice an Overton F to your specification. I have two Overton F, and they are quite different sounding. Looking at the fipples you can clearly see the the two windways are completely different in configuration.

Michael

5

I’m surprised at your description of the upper octave of the Overton Low F; I had and sold one (anodized blue)that was quite good and especially I thought in the upper octave. In any event, I have a Grinter, which I like, but just got an O’Briain, which I like as much or more. Very easy to play and great in the upper octave.

However, that said, are you sure you don’t want to try a couple of things before running out and buying another Low F. I’m not sure what your experience level is generally or specifically with Overton; they take some getting used to and once you get the diaphragm in tune with an Overton, they are generally quite rewarding. Also, if Colin Goldie made it for you, he is always great to deal with in terms of what you want from one of his whistles.

Regards,

Philo

6

On 2003-02-25 17:39, PhilO wrote:
I’m surprised at your description of the upper octave of the Overton Low F; I had and sold one (anodized blue)that was quite good and especially I thought in the upper octave.

Well, color me puzzled (is that in the Crayola box?), because I think I have your old blue Overton low F. It is, as I say, probably my favorite whistle in most cases, but I don’t find the top two or three notes in the second octave very pleasant if held long. I think I have the playing style required for the Overton pretty well pegged, and don’t have the same issue with the Goldie Low D I have. I’ve tried a few different things (e.g., varying wind speed, pressure, volume), and though the whistle responds to all of them, I’m still not getting the sounds I want, quite. Those upper couple notes just seem to be quite a bit louder and shriller than is right. Don’t know if the difference between your experience with the whistle and mine is due to technique, changes to the whistle, difference in perception, or what.

Any advice? I don’t think I’m missing anything, and feel like I know how to play an Overton (certainly a different style from that needed by most whistles), but I could well be wrong.

I have a low G Burke (and had a low D) which certainly sound much different from the Overton, and require a much different technique to play. The Burke sound is a little too sweet for me though, for what I’m wanting from this F (I like the low G Burke I have, but the Burke’s don’t quite have the, oh, character I’m seeking in the low F). [It’s almost startling to go from playing the Overton’s to playing something like a Burke; I usually overpower the other whisltes for a while before I can switch gears. . .]

In the meantime, I’ll go listen to the O’Briain clips on Blayne’s website to see what they may sound like, and if it’s what I’m looking for. If worse comes to worse, I can always ask Colin to revoice mine, or make me a whistle with different characteristics, as suggested here.

Thanks for the good advice, all.

–Aaron

7

Aaron, LOL. That’s funny. I remember that whistle as having a nice top end. I’ve sold all of my Overtons; they are great whistles; the sound of them (perhaps the edginess)just doesn’t appeal to me. If you think the sound clips on Blayne’s site are too “polished” (i.e., really good players make everything sound great), ask him to play for you over the phone, or ask me.

Good luck.

Philo

8

I just found out last nite that you cannot play an Overton low F sitting directly in front of an airconditioner blasting freezing air continuously at your whistle.

Seems obvious when you think about it, but it was the way my friend’s tiny music room was set up, and where we were all sitting.

Much as I like the Overton sound, they may not be practical if you play in cold places, or you’re on the whistle only intermittently and you can’t keep it warm during the intervals.

9

Tuaz, turn off that air conditioner!

Don’t you know that it’s -8 degrees Fahrenheit (-22 centegrade)??!! No wonder it feels so cold in here. Turn it off!!!

Best wishes,
Jerry

10

On 2003-02-25 19:30, PhilO wrote:
If you think the sound clips on Blayne’s site are too “polished” (i.e., really good players make everything sound great), ask him to play for you over the phone…

Hey! Whatcha saying?! I’m no Mary Bergin! ? LOL!!!

:slight_smile:

11

Aaron Veggiegrazer 12

please excuse my answering to a question by another question, which is :

those of your tunes which linger up in the second octave, do they go below Bb in low register ? If yes, do they go further down than A, or Ab ?

(edted to add this–yet another question!-- :
did you contact Colin Goldie, ask him whether he could revoice the whistle you already have ?)

[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2003-02-26 05:00 ]

12

On 2003-02-26 04:05, Zubivka wrote:
Aaron Veggiegrazer 12

please excuse my answering to a question by another question, which is :

those of your tunes which linger up in the second octave, do they go below Bb in low register ? If yes, do they go further down than A, or Ab ?

I think I see what you’re getting at; and yes, some of the tunes do also make use of the lower end. (Were you about to suggest that I play those tunes using a different whistle in a different key, depending on their use of both registers?)

(edted to add this–yet another question!-- :
did you contact Colin Goldie, ask him whether he could revoice the whistle you already have ?)

I haven’t yet, but I may. The thing is, I like the whistle so much for everything else, and especially its bottom end, that I’d be loathe to lose anything in the lower register in order to treat the problems with the upper register.

Interestingly, I played this whistle for a friend last night, and he didn’t have as strident a reaction to the upper end as I seem to. That is, he certainly noted a bit more harshness, and a definite volume increase that just unbalances the very top end, but mostly he thought it was fine. Perhaps the sound that’s projected back at the player is less pleasant (to me) than that which is perceived by the listener out in front. I dunno.

(None of this is to say that the Overton is a bad whistle – it’s great – and it may be that I’m just asking too much, or not playing well up high, or hearing sounds the audience doesn’t hear. . .)

I’ll check on the O’Briain, as well. My experience with Blayne’s service when I bought my flute was good.

Thanks, all!

–Aaron

13

Blayne - Suffice it to say that the whistle sold itself!:slight_smile:

Philo

14

Aaron,
if you still love the Overton for its voice in the lower range, keep it as is and go for a Grinter.
The Grinter is not superior to a good Overton, it’s different. IMHO, its strong points may be exactly what you are looking for.
And you’ll have two whistles with really different personalities, complementing each other.

15

Aaron - If you, as Zub suggests, go for a Grinter, I’d suggest a nice stable dense wood like African blackwood. Mine are all in matching red lancewood, two bought used, and they are fine despite lancewood being relatively loose grained; but just to minimize potential for problems, you should consider a tighter grained wood. Michael does offer several.