I’d like to create this topic about Alba whistles (both high and low), so that everyone can post their experiences with them. They’re not mentioned that much in the forum, so I haven’t gotten just the impression of what people think. I’m not looking for Wanderer’s review, but the users’ thoughts…
I have an Alba low F, a whistle that has its distinctive qualities. It has the lovliest sound - flutey and unlike everything I’ve heard. It’s complex and not “clean”. The whistle itself is in nicely brushed aluminium with a polished top. The stamped logo and the carved details are lovely. It has backpressure and not much of air requirements. I’m thinking that this maybe will be my low whistle brand. But I wonder how a low D (or even lower) would be. Does it have the same qualities?
I have low-key Alba’s in D, F and A. They all exhibit the same characteristics you described and I stopped buying low whistles after I got those. I have both the tunable and non-tunables, and while the non-tunables have an even richer sound, you can’t really play the sessions up here without being able to tune.
I have a Q1 hi D. It is a wonderful whistle with a very distinctive sound that is different from my other favorites. I have played a low C that was on tour and visited me for a couple of weeks. It was easier to play than my Howard low D and easier to play than any of the Chieftain/Kerry whistles I have played. I like the sound of thick wall aluminum whistles. There are two whistles I can’t part with, my Alba Q1 and my Humphreys D/Eb set. (Ok technically that is three whistles.) If I was buying a low D it would be a decision between an Alba or an Overton.
I have an Alba Q1, Low G, Low F, and Low D. They all have a good bit of character. I love 'em. I have both the tuneable and non-tuneable in the Low D. The Low D is what I use in a session setting, but I’m totally in love with my nontuneable. That said, the tuning is usually spot on, so it’s not a matter of needing a tuneable so that I can tune to standard, but more so that I can tune on the fly to match wherever the other players are.
Anyway, I’ve always been impressed with, and always loved, Albas.
I used to have a High D. It was a nice Whistle with a very interesting sound. It was a bit on the loud side, with high back pressure. It was nearly as responsive as my Busman, which is saying something.
I have a low D and a high D, both tuneable. Ostekjeks, as far as I can tell, everything you mentioned about the low F is also true about the low D. I find it has a breathy (I mean that in a good way, I guess you could say “flute-like”) lower register and a wonderfully clear and bell-like upper register. It is quite responsive and doesn’t take a huge amount of breath. Plus, it sounds lovely on airs like Carrickfergus that require a good range (like E to high C) or require you to hold high notes for an extended time. It has a nice vibrato as well.
The high D has a clear tone but retains the “roughness” necessary for trad music (ie it doesn’t sound like a concert flute). It is quite responsive, my one complaint being that it is difficult to get a c natural to sound good on it (on the low D it sounds fine, however).
Well, they used to be sold at Gaelic Crossings, but not anymore. So, yes now you would have to buy used (where I got mine), from Bigwhistle (unless they no longer carry them either), or from Stacey.
I might just have to get one. They are actually a lot more affordable then I had thought initially. They didn’t geat a great review from the Wanderer, but I think I’ll trust you guys.
I’ve always liked Staceys low D’s better than her other whistles. I had another one in my hand a couple of months ago, but decided not to review it because, well, I just don’t need that much drama in my life. They are a little airier and take a little more wind, as some have mentioned, but I found them fairly enjoyable to play.
I got my low D from an online traditional music store and I beleive my high D was ordered directly from the Alba site (I’m not certain, it was a gift). The prices are reasonable, even with the exchange rate.
You’ll love a Q1, Izzy. I finally ordered my Q1 this year … and had Stacey do a bit of celtic knotwork on the front. Gorgeous!
Ostekjeks, add me to the list of happy Alba owners, too. I have a Q1, hi D nontunable, hi C tunable and an alto/low F tunable. One bought used, the others came directly from Stacey/ Ms Alba. Doubt any will leave my collection any time soon.
My low F is probably my favourite whistle. I’m planning on buying a low C whistle, but will the grip be too much for me? I know this has been discussed before, and that Stacey has said that everyone can play her low whistles (or something like that). I have only experience with a Kerry Songbird low D, which has very even spacings, and I presume that the Alba has a great distance between the two lowest holes. Additionally, this is a low C.
