I leave England in a couple of months and after a year or two of looking for a good Bb I’ve decided to get one before I go, and I’ve homed in on Burke and Overton (but open to alternative suggestions). So far I’ve tried, and not been happy with: Sindt, Dixon, Susato, Generation, Elfsong.
I have an Overton low D and low F - love the sound and how they play, but the high D I had was not for me (way too much back pressure - a lot of hard work to play). This has left the feeling that Overtons are great low whistles but not high whistles - can anyone comment?
I had a Burke high D AlPro but sold it as I couldn’t settle to the weak bottom end. However, many posts here recommend the Bb. Again, can anyone comment and help with this decision?
Try an Alba.
There is a period to return it if you don’t like it - says so on the web site.
I tried a Dixon Bb, and swapped it because it was too quiet, and too easily overblown although a nice tone. My Gen’ was loud enough, but ‘scratchy’.
Pulling flame proof trousers on - I think Overtons are overpriced - even though I’ve got a couple.
The Alba was bought based on 1) reviews - comparing to other whistles,
and 2) on my Alba Low Bb.
It does the job being loud enough, and in tune, and the tone quality is good (rivals Overton, in my not-so-humble opinion )
Lower back pressure than Overtons.
Good value for money.
Email Alba via the site, they have always replied quickly to me, and see what is available.
I own an AlPro Bb. It is one of my favorite whistles. I owned an Overton D, and sold it for the same reason you sold yours…I am simply not an Overton person. We do exist…
My Burke Bb is very even, volume-wise, across its 2+ octave range. The bottom end is not weak. It has an ease of playing that instills confidence to take musical risks, and that I like.
There seem to be two different kinds of WhOA. Some people go through a lot of whistles looking for the perfect whistle in each key. Others buy a lot of whistles and keep them because they like each for different reasons. Nick, I think you fall into the first group and I fall into the second. That makes it a bit hard for me to know what to suggest.
I have three great Bb whistles: Overton, Abell and Sindt. They are very different from eachother but I wouldn’t want to sell off any of them. The Overton is probably still my favourite but I have to say that I own nine Overtons ranging from Eb to low D and love all of them so I’m obviously an Overton fan. The Bb is right on the cusp between high and low so you might well like it. Both the Sindt and the Abell took a while to grow on me but I like both a lot now.
I think you must have had bad luck with your Burke D. I have a D, C and low G (all AlPro) and really like them all, especially the C. Friends who like Burkes for the same reasons I do (purity, responsiveness, reliable tuning, eveness across range) and who have Burkes in Bb swear by them. Since you like pure whistles, I think the Burke would be the one to go with unless of course you decide that it’s Overton time again.
Get an Overton B-flat from Colin, and tell him that you want less backpressure. Colin can vary the whistles he makes to an amazing degree. Call him up and chat with him about how you play and what you play, and he’ll make you what you want.
Not to further confuse the issue, but have you considered a Water Weasel? I like it far more than my Burke Bnat, which is a not half bad whistle itself. It has kind of a sweet sound with a little low whistle growl mixed in. Very nice bottom, too. I know you like Roses, so the WW might suit you well.
Absolutely not true, I have “Easy” blowing Overtons in Soprano C and Mezzo A (as well as an “Easy” Blowers in Low D and Low C). I’ve also had a bunch of “Hard” blowing Overtons, and I loved most (but not all) of them as well. I can tell you that the easy blowing Soprano C and Mezzo A I have are a joy to play: Easy to blow, low air requirements, stable octave transitions, good bell note, and a high end that is easy to hit and not piercing to the ear. Just fabulous, both of them. I still miss some of my harder blowing Overtons, especially the Low D and Mezzo A, as well as the Low F which was sort of half way between easy and hard blowing. I miss these whistles particularly when I want to play outdoors and need a little more volume and a harder bell note.
But getting back on track, if you like your Overton Low whistle, then I wouldn’t rule out an Overton soprano, the important thing would be to contact Colin directly to explain what you like, and don’t like.
It occurs to me that I can’t comment specifically on Overton Bb vs. Burke Bb, since I haven’t played whistles in those keys by either maker. I have been told that Colin’s Bb whistles play much like his A’s, and the two I’ve owned have both been really great, imo.
I have an Overton Bb that I’ve never really warmed up to–I’m not used to the backpressure and I find the upper end really hard to play. I love the lower three quarters though.
The differences in the two you’ve come down to are like night and day IMHO. The Burkes I’ve played have been very pure in tone and not at all complex or filled with the overtones of Copelands or Overtons. Since you cancelled out Sindt and Elfsong among others, sounds like you’re going for the more complex tone. Matter of taste. I find some terrifically made, wonderful playing whistles just, well, boring.
I never found Overtons to be boring - generally really rewarding to play. The soprano D and C were very good whistles, but not as inspiring as the lower Overton keys for me. I had a Bflat that was a great whistle with an almost bluesy edge to it.
I happen to really like Copeland and Abell (both expensive). I just got an Alba A which seems wonderful but I haven’t spent enough time with it (one day) to make a specific purchase recommendation to someone though. Others apparently have though.
Save yourself the trouble and donate that Bb to “Loren B. Shelter for the Overtons Foundation” I’ll give you a receipt and you can write it off on your taxes as a charitable donation, hee hee.
Just to add my two bits…I own or have owned the followig Bbs
Sindt (incidently, no OXXOOO hang up in this key or in my C Sindt)
Water Weasel
Hoover
Silkstone pvc
Susato
Burke Brass
I’ve also owned Overton Hi-Ds and Low-Ds (multiples of each).
For you Nick (as a confirmed Rose lover) I’d recommend the Burke. It’s pure and easy to play without being boring. Mine has a very solid low end. Burke Composites are also very cool. But, as always, my recommendation is buy both, try both, and sell one.
the Bb is the lowest burke you can get in brass, so she’s bound to be very dark, mellow and sweet. i think all of mike’s brass whistles are up lifting, they have a very happy tone.
i like the composite’s more, they have a richer tone, but after playing them a long time, i like a little spell on the brass aswell. but that’s a matter of taste.
i wouldn’t worry about durability, just get a good strong case like plumbing pipe with insolation on the in side, or so.
I have to argue… Overtons make wonderful high whistles! I am biased because my first high D ever was an Overton, but it was beautiful. My only problem was that when it got cold, it would go a bit flat. So, to play with others, I had to warm it beforehand quite a bit.
My problem with Overton Low D’s, however, is that the holes are HUGE! I play a Shaw low D because it has small holes. I have slim fingers, more suited to my mandolin than to a low whistle.
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