I’m looking for some Advice\Help and wondered if anyone out there had some insight or would even know where to look…
I’m trying to find for an Original Bernard Overton for my Fathers 60th Birthday, but they seem to be quite rare in the internet world.
I know the in’s and out’s, back stories and differences between the Goldie and Bernards’ own…
But - I was wondering, what is a fair price for one..? Is it actually still possible to find one with the original certificate of Authenticity in Bernards’ name..?
I have come across one or two recently, but they have been damaged and without certificates and yet are still £200+, no issue with that IF it is a fair price…
I’m a beginner, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but, since the man is no logner with us and since he made the “originals” I’m sure they’re going to fetch a fairly high price compared to other brands and makers.
I think it’s fair to say that the original Overtons could be inconsistent so best try before you buy. As with many pioneering ideas there’s bound to have been some trial and error. Personally, I’d say £200+ would be a fair price for one that plays well.
I know it’s a tricky question and I have to agree “what one is willing to pay” is a common response, it is all rather subjective I suppose.
This is the only one out of the many whistles that my father doesn’t own, it doesn’t seem right to get him a ‘new’ Goldie as a 60th but I’m starting to lean that way now.
The ‘Tribute’ YouTube Vid is a great sound (I had come across that one myself while researching) and one of the reasons I may end up getting myself one too…
You might consider getting the Goldie now for the 60th and take your time to locate/obtain an Overton and swap later. Rushing to obtain the Overton now may increase the price… unless there is a sympathetic soul willing to part with their Overton.
If I were you I’d get him a Goldie rather than the Overton if your father doesn’t have one. That way you know what you’re getting and have a guarantee of quality.
I’m not sure how much tweaking Colin can do to a whistle after it’s made but there are choices you can make in the purchase itself. It would be good to know what your father’s preferences would be when it comes to the balance between pressure and quantity of breath needed i.e. does he like a free blower needing more air or a whistle with lots of resistance using less.
I know what your all saying, it’s a tricky thing to buy a whistle for someone else and knowing what their preferences would be, my instinct tells me lots of resistance…
I actually think he just want’s the ‘Name’ Overton more as a keep sake whistle rather than for an everyday use (Knowing it was made by Bernard). (Don’t get me wrong it would be well used, but with the low D he has at the moment it took him quite a while to find one in his preference).
All good advice, Thank you… (I am leaning further towards a Goldie…)
I must say that the relatively few, maybe 10 Overtons i have played, none have been better or as good as Goldies, so i tend to agree with others here - if you want a player, get a Goldie, if its more important to get a Bernard made one, well.. Good luck in finding a good one at a fair price!
That’s true Mr Blackwood, people’s preferences are different.
Mike, it depends on the use as well. Generally it’s easier to overblow a soft whistle sending it sharp and easier to underblow a harder one leaving it flat. Not so much of a problem for playing at home but for playing sessions and gigs the medium is everything you need. I do play soft, medium and hard blowing Goldies and enjoy them all but if I had just one or was going to buy one for someone else I’d go for a medium as I find it the best all-rounder.
I purchased (over the internet) an Overton in C made by Bernard, but the whole whistle had been polished by some enterprising soul. It must have taken a good amount of work to remove the normal texture and smooth the holes. Needless to say, I returned it. But now I am wary of anyone selling a Bernard Overton, and have one more qualifying question to ask.
aww, this topic is making me miss my Goldie alto G now.