After some time off to try and learn some guitar, I picked up some of my whistles the other night and was reminded how much I enjoy these little things. After going through a bunch (all cheapies) I instantly gravitated back to my two old favorites - a Clarke Origional D and a Dixon (nontunable) D.
I enjoy the sound of the Clarke, and to my ears it has a much fuller tone than does the Dixon. The problem is that the Clarke isn’t as responsive in my hands - it doesn’t have that crisp “pop” during rolls like the Dixon does.
So, what I am looking for is something that has a good, full, warm tone with that Dixon Pop. Does the tweaked Clarke from the Whistle Shop fit this description? Or are there others that you would recommend.
Here is a little more criteria so that this doesn’t turn into a list of everybodies favorite whislte:
I would prefer something cheaper to something expensive - but could be convinced to spend a few extra $ for the right whislte.
The volume of the Clarke is perfect for me as I whistle alone in an apartment and not at sessions.
It is the tone of the Clarke that I like - not the chiff (although some is nice).
I think Mitch might have it. The Black Diamond has a similar tone to the Clarke but is way more responsive and has some chiff (not as much as say a Sindt) not a ton but it would be higher on the chiff scale. The Black Diamond is possibly my favorite high D (yes my other favorite is a Sindt). I think you would really enjoy a Black Diamond, and it sounds like you have a similar taste in Whistles as my self.
I wouldn’t put the Black Diamond anywhere near the Clarke Original or the Dixon. The BD i had for a few months had an incredible amount of back pressure in comparison and sounded nothing at all like my Clarke (either before or after the Clarke was tweaked), nor the Dixon i’ve tried.
Also the BD is a very loud whistle, and the OP said they didn’t want that.
Thanks to those who have replied so far. Please forgive me for not replying to everyone by name, but to follow up on a few items:
Yes, I have tried a sweetone, but no I don’t care for it. It definately has that sort of Pop that I am searching for, but I always thought the sound was a bit thin.
I have not tried an oak, and have thought of ordering one before. I guess though I am sort of at that stage of thinking about jumping up a level and maybe getting a higher end or mid range whistle. I know I mentioned that I like chiff, but I could see myself getting a whistle with a full tone at the expense of chiff.
I appreciate the suggetions so far. I have thought about getting a hoover whitecap, since I have a few barrels from unused whistles lying around. And although I hate to admit it, I wasn’t aware of the Black Diamonds until now (again, I was on a bit of a whistle hiatus).
The decision to drop higher $ on a whistle doesn’t bother me too much (my guitar was quite a bit more than the whistles I am looking at), but nevertheless after only spending $8 on my first whistle it is a little tough to think about dropping $75 - 150 - especially since this is just a sit at home hobby for me, and I only consider myself an intermediate player at best. So with that said, I am trying to approach this cautiously - although I know I would probably be able to sell/trade a better whistle later if I thougt I needed to try another.
I know that for my playing to improve, it is probably more me than the whistle, but I know enough at this point to be able to say that my playing is “muddyer” on the clark than on the Dixon, but that I would like a warmer tone than the Dixon. I am following other posts and looking through the archives to see what I can learn.
I am still interested in possibly the Whistle shop tweaked clark and the Hoover white cap. I have thought about getting a hoover standard bore brass D, but I worry about the lack of backpressure that others have mentioned. If I were a rich man, I would probably just be looking at Burkes, etc.
Obvously, we have very different opinons on this. A BD has a medium back pressure and volume. If you do not believe me, try a Bleazey. Yes the BD doesn’t sound a lot like a Clarke, but it is similar. The BD has a more complex and rounded tone and a bit more power. In my large (10 -20 people) session the BD gets lost really easily. Burkes are overrated in my opinion.
