I’ve got the disease. Not anthrax, WAD, Whistle Acquisition Disorder. I have two Sindts (a D and an A) on order for which I have seven more months to wait, a nice copper Bingamon low D, and I’ve had a Burke low D composite on order for awhile. But in the meantime I discovered that Song of the Sea is Michael Burke’s one retail outlet. So I ordered a low A last week, an aluminum. I’ve got a bunch of cheap whistles around the house and I’m now officially ruined. It’s not that the other whistles are BAD, but this thing goes beyond experience (not that much) and hopes (always too high). It’s glorious. I wrote to Burke that this is the first time with a relatively high instrument (the low A isn’t all THAT low) that I’ve been able to get into the third octave and sound like I’m playing music instead of sounding like I’m a male cat being castrated. I have no idea how he does what he does but I just hope he keeps on doing it.
I should have been a bit clearer about what I meant by “cheap whistles.” I also have a Sweetone (in C), Feadog, and Oak. I’ve also got a nickle Generation Bb that I loathe.
I’ve got a Burke Low A Alum. It’s a wonderful instrument. Honestly, for whistles, Bb and A are probably my favorite keys for playing in. They’re not as piercing in the third octave like D’s and Eb’s, and they’re not as sluggish as some low D’s.
In regards to the Burke, my only complaint was that I needed to use the “soap” technique because it kept collecting moisture. The odd thing is my Burke Sop D alum. doesn’t have this problem.
Of all my whistles, my GF likes the sound of the Burke the best - probably 'cause it’s not too shrill.
-Frank