Hi, anyone can tell me how does the Burke Brass Session Black Tip D whistle (DBSBT) differs from the Birke Aluminum Session Black Tip D whistle (DASBT) beside the obvious difference in material and weight?
I can only compare it to the Al-pro, but would think the differences would be close to those between it and the newer aluminum black tip session model as well. Both excellent - the brass has a darker tone and perhaps a hint more complexity in the low end. I love brass and delrin.
Philo
I asked exactly the same question to Mike Burke, and here’s his reply:
The Aluminum is brighter and the brass more warm and buttery, but both are pure and well balanced, I think. Perhaps the brass a bit more so than the aluminum on the balance.
I finally got a Brass Session and I completely agree that it is pure, buttery and very well balanced.
Tx, that is exactly the info I was looking for.
After playing Phil’s DBSBT in July while i had my Burke I knew that I liked his more. The Brass has more complexity in the tone, which I liked. The Brass just has more character.
That’s because there was a character playing it at the time. 
Philo
There is an excellent whistle player who playes Burkes who thinks the aluminum is a little more responsive.
I’ve never tried the DBSBT, but i think my DASBT is awesome. 
I have a DBSBT, and an AlPro alto A. Not the same key, but when comparing the character of the sound, I concur with the previous comments [just adding my two cents].
I will add that you can only get a patina on the brass, so if that’s important to you, well, your choice is simple. I like the choice to polish or not to polish.
i’ve had a Burke DAN for some time, and it is nice, in-tune, articulates well, not-shrill, but… ermmm… kinda vanilla, sort of the “polite” D whistle in the stable.
i figured all Burkes are kind of like that. but then i got a Burke brass C in a trade and… well, it is a whole different beast altogether. the bore is wider and the brass really makes a fatter sound… yes it’s a whole tone lower but it is quite different from the DAN which makes me curious about the DBSBT… i think i’m more of a brass guy – i have a late 1990’s Copeland D (brass) which is a great whistle but my tympanic membrane gets close to rupturing when i play around high B… and an Overton (aluminum) which has a great fat sound but the backpressure makes me feel like i’m going to stroke out around high B.
i have a delrin Busman which is great but lacks the brass “ping”, and is borderline in terms of the back pressure… sometimes i want it to be a little bit less.
seeing as how i’ve got a stable of expensive whistles, none of which is quite “right”, should i go for the Burke DBSBT – is it the right D for me – or is it another stage of some quixotic quest …
sensei-gata, o-negai shimasu…
rh it seems like you are in quite a pickle. Of course i think a Burke could be sold pretty quickly if you didn’t want it.
One of the great advantages of the Burkes
Or trade it for another great whistle, I traded my DASBT for a Sindt C.
I just asked Joanie Madden her favorite Burke D and she said the DASBT.
Phil