Alba SE high-D physical and preliminary playing review

Whistle
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(This is reposted from Gaelic Crossings)

A few days ago, when the mail came, there was this curious triangular cardboard box with all sorts of strange and wonderful tags on it. Inside, wrapped in foam and secured with more tape than I’d ever seen on or in a package before, was this truly beautiful bit of alumin(i)um, in the form of an Alba SE high D whistle.

The finish on the whistle is immaculate. The head has a knurled collar which puts the balance high, and aids in grasping to move the tuning slide. The slide, itself, has turned grooves which can be used to assist in returning to a specific place in tuning (an Idea which I intend to “borrow”, Stacey! ) It is held in place by friction, assisted by the use of PTFE (Plumber’s Teflon) tape, which I would probably remove and replace with beeswax, were I to be changing barrels much. The tape end came loose a bit when I pulled the barrel out of the slide, but wrapped right back and there was no problem putting it back together. The fit is very, very good, to the point that it almost doesn’t need the tape.

The whistle is very lightweight, but substantial. The tubing is medium-walled, and the head is very sturdily pressed/drawn into a perfect square box. The fipple plug appears to be made of a synthetic (Tufnol?) and completely surrounded by metal.

The windway and blade are flat, and wide enough that the whistle is loud. The tone is pure in the lower octave, with just a touch of airy chiff. The air requirements are quite low - you’re probably going to have to breathe before you empty your lungs on this whistle, while playing.

When I first started playing, I had a little bit of a problem hitting the 2nd octave B. It just didn’t seem to want to be there. But as the whistle warmed, the octave jump kicked right in, though I wasn’t able to get above 2nd octave C# without really pushing it out - I’m sure some of that is the player, as the whistle is otherwise very responsive.

The sound of this whistle surprised me. There are similarities to both the Clarke “classic” and Gen - though not as chiffy as either - just struck me as something “metallic” about it, that I really like for tunes on the order of “Are You Sleeping, Maggie” and a fast version of “Star of County Down”. Really cool on both!

Negatives are very minor and really just personal preference - I think the big “D” on the front of the barrel detracts a bit from the look - I’d make it smaller and put it on the back. But that’s me.

Over all, in the Alba SE, Stacey has produced an excellent sounding, very pretty, very well-executed instrument suitable for session or professional play. This is one that should be in everyone’s collection!
Bill Whedon
serpent

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Thanks for the review. Most curious to me was the low air requirement. I have one of the early model Alba soprano D non-tuneable whistles and it was distractingly high on air requirements; almost as though the volume got stuck somewhere in the headpiece. The last time I mentioned this, Stacey graciuosly offered immediately to replace that whistle even though I’d bought it from a retailer years ago. For some reason, I just never took her up on the offer. Could be I didn’t want to let it go; it’s the exception to my don’t collect what you don’t like to play rule. Really one of the most uniquely beautiful whistles on the planet. I’d be curious as to whether the whistle you got has replaced the non-tuneable or whether both are available and whether the air/volume ratio thing has been adjusted in newer versions of the non-tuneable. I guess a question better put to Stacey. Anyway, enjoy your new whistle and please let us know how you like it with a bunch more time in on it.

Regards,

Philo

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PhilO, I can understand your surprise…
I know few people who can question themselves as much as Stacey (Alba) does, and radically redesign their craftsmen products, and after such thorough experimenting.
Apparently, the standard design Albas–round windway–will go on as the “free-blowing” line when the flat-beaked SE’s answer issues (low air requirement) raised by the more advanced players.
I also have to mention a lot was done in 2002 to the standard line to reduce its air requirements, and I proudly own a low C to prove it. It has a balance between free-blowing and back-pressure that my low D whistles (Grinter–easy, Kerry Pro–tough) don’t match… which is why I keep both.

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Hi PhilO,
it was not only the untunable model, I have a tunable high D Alba approximately 2 or 3 years old and the air required is unbelievable high (I rarely play it because usually it gives me a headache). Also I still find it really difficult to hit high b and higher without blowing very very hard and this really pisses the neighbours off :smiley: Anyway, would be interesting to try one of the new range then !!
Dagmar