Hi everyone,
Long time no see.
A few days ago there was a link to Tony Hinnigan’s website. After seeing his demonstration of the bass A Chieftain, I got to thinking…I want one!
So I was wondering how many have taken the plunge and play whistles below tenor C? I’m very comfortable on my Overton D and think I would like to go a little lower.
Anyone here have experience with these monsters?
nate
Bloomfield has mentioned them recently. See his posts in these threads:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?p=451393
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=34763&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=24
I’ve had low Ds for a long time of course, but just recently got three (Bernard) Overton low lows: A C, a Bb, and an A.
All terrific fun to play, if you can play them: I am not pretending that a mutated, slime-dwelling. 4-foot hobbit with short fingers can play these things.
If you are fairly handy, you’ll get used to them fairly quickly. The sound is just stunning. But I don’t pretend that these are much more than novelty items. I do have plans to use mine at gigs, though.
Well played.
I have a few Overtons includingBass A and a Tenor C. I like them both. The Bass A is at about my finger limit right now, but that is what I thought about my Tenor D when I first got it. After playing the A for a while (v e r y slowly to be sure!) it sure makes my D seem like a Low F!!! Really stretches the fingers out, it does.
Bloom, where did you get your Bb from? I really NEED one of those!!! 
The Bb it nice… and you’ll be interested to know that while I bought it from someone in Illinois, she in turn had not bought the whistle directly from the maker. The whistle is engraved “T St C”.
Of course, I have no idea what those letters could possibly stand for. 
Thanks, I was just hoping that Colin had the batch done. 
And don’t say things like that while I am trying to swallow!!! 
Bloom, where did you get your Bb from? I really NEED one of those!!! [/quote]
I have asked him several times to sell. But he would not say yes or no.
Alba makes a Bb. Daniel Bingamon makes them down to Low Low Bass C of course it has keys to cover the holes.
I have asked him several times to sell. But he would not say yes or no. [/quote]
Do you really need it? I might be able to do just with low C and low low A… Hmmmm. I do like the Bb, though.
Do you really need it? I might be able to do just with low C and low low A… Hmmmm. I do like the Bb, though. [/quote]
Well at least you replied, in the finest of Bloomfield style. Nothing definitive, perhaps something inferred, and a question with a question.
Similarities of an english professor of the gifted and talented.
Do we want what we need or, need what we want? Of course the answer to the compound question here, in America is yes. Buy and sell to keep the economy intact. However I could live on bread and wine alone and just sing, with no whistles?..
Happy Holidays
Bass A whistle eh… What’s next, a Bass D whistle with keys? My hands, are more designed for the higher end, I can barely cover the holes on a low D. Ah well, here’s to people with big hands!
Bloomfield wrote: “I am not pretending that a mutated, slime-dwelling. 4-foot hobbit with short fingers can play these things.”
On behalf of myself and all others similarly situated–due to no fault of our own–in this already downtrodden class, I cannot help but be offended. The absence of additional disparaging remarks about thinning and graying hair is, however, duly noted.
Tom D.
Daniel Bingamon of www.tinwhistles.us will any make any size with keys.
Look. I beg you people to come to your senses. With all due respect to Bernard Overton and Colin Goldie, doesn’t anyone else see that the phrase “Bass Whistle” is an oxymoron?
It’s like…“hey…I’m feeling this compelling urge to buy a REALLY BIG WHISTLE. That’ll be the ticket. I need a BIG ONE. Yeah. Yeah, baby.”
I dare you: Find me ONE woman who owns one of these things. It won’t happen: They don’t feel The Need!
I hate to tell you this, Dale. I bought all three whistle (low C, low Bb, and low low A) from a woman. And she did not sell them because she couldn’t play them either (rather she was financing another instrument, as I recall). She had wanted them. She had bought them. She had owned them. In fact, she had felt The Need. 
Ok Dale, you have me there.
Why did I need my Copeland Low D when I had a perfectly serviceable Chieftain one.
Why do I own a Low A and G Water Weasel Set?
WHY! WHY???!!!
I’m so ashamed…I’m going to go hide my face from here and look into my email today about a certain enlarger pill that I’ve been offered at least 12 times a week. Oh the humanity…
Tom you are too hard on yourself! Certainly I wasn’t thinking of you. You don’t belong in that class at all: You must be a good 4 foot 2 when you stand up straight. 
Well, I’d say that was more The Envy.