anyone out there have input on howard low whistles? there’s one on ebay right now (i don’t mind mentioning, as no one has bid on it yet). it’s a bit spendy for me ($133, or 74 pounds) but it shore ees a looker! so.. any input from current owners?
~Z
I got a low D from Brian Howard recently, when I was doing a review on another low D, for comparison purposes.
Brian changed his mouthpiece design a while back, and all for the better. I like the Howard low D very much, and I think it is very good value for the money. It it strong and has a beautiful characteristic tone. Unlike other low Ds, it can be blown pretty softly without affecting pitch to much. It’s quick and the hole spacing is comfortable. I recommend it.
I like mine. I’ve had it a few years and it was second hand then so I assume it’s mouthpiece will be different. I love the way it blows so lightly as I’m not a fan of whistles that need a lot of blowing. (I tend to pass after a few bars of trying my wife’s flute).
I only play it for the odd slow air or to accompany a singer because, unlike Bloomie, I do find the reach a bit of a stretch which sometimes starts to hurt. That said, I do have quite small hands so that probably wouldn’t apply to most folks.
I have one that I really like. It’s very quiet (to me), and has a great tone. Not what I’d choose to play with several instruments b/c it is pretty quiet, but I love just sitting by myself late at night and playing. Hole spacing is a tad of a reach toward the bottom but I have long fingers and haven’t had any problems. My wife has short fingers and is used to a clarinet, and thought the piper’s grip was something I’d invented as a wind-up. 
Get it if you can afford it. Brian does good work.
I like it. It’s very easy to play and has a great tone.
–James
I have a Howard low D that I enjoy playing. I use the pipers grip.
As might be expected low d’s take more air but you will get use to it.
I also have an Overton low D that seemed to take more air than other whistles. But after playing it for some time I can not tell the differance.
I think a better price can be found
I had one a long time ago and it was the first low whistle i owned. Wonderful tone but the holes were a bit of a stretch for me back then. If they haven’t changed over the years then i would recomend it.
Adrian
I too had an early Howard years ago; had a beautiful distinct tone, but I gave it away not due to reach but to size of the tone holes (very much like the fine tuneable Cillian O’Briain I now have - no I’ll not be giving that away).
Bloomfield: What about the tone hole size?
Philo
Sorta like most low Ds. Here is a comparison picture:
Alba low D, blue new-style Howard low D, Spillane low D, recent Overton low D. (click here to enlarge)
As you can see, the Howard is slightly shorter than the Alba or Overton; that’s because it is made from a thin-walled brass tube and the internal diameter is larger than that of the other low Ds. I use the piper’s grip, and it Howard is actually fairly easy to play.
I don’t find it quiet, and it has a wonderful boom to it, a rich bottom end an sonorous, expansive sound.
Thanks - great comparison shot. Now I don’t know whether the old Howards really had bigger tone holes or I got it way before I could handle a Low D at all? Anyway, please remind me when next we meet to bring the O’Briain so you can borrow it for a while and insert into the pic.
Philo
I’ve had mine for about 3 months now and this was my first whistle,i can manage the stretch ok and i’ve got fat stumpy fingers,it is easy to play and is easy to get into the second octave,i listened to several different whistles before i bought this and found this to be the best tone in my opion,i love it and would reccommend it to anyone.
Excellent, reasonably priced. Underrated.
I agree with Dale, they are under-rated.
I’ve had mine for over a year now, and I love it. It’s got a great sound, easy enough to play with some practice, not too bad on the reach, and is light enough not to have gravity constantly trying to steal it from me. They are nice looking, as well… but then, aren’t most whistles?
I’ve had my Howard Low D for less than a week. Great whistle, good response, great tone. Much easier to play than my Susato Low D. Purchased mine from Celtic Fire. $118 which included shipping. Took about 4 weeks to arrive.
Has anybody else noticed? This is about $15 cheaper new than the one Zax was looking at on eBay.
I have a low C which is fine. I think Howards are the best value for money amongst the low whistles.
I got one of his whistles just after his design change.
I found the upper octave tended to be flat unless blown very hard, therefore it was hard for me to play (it was my first low D).
Shortly after, I purchased a Michael Bourke AL-PRO Low D. I found a buyer for the Howard shortly thereafter.