I was wondering since I haven’t Played on Overton… what the sound or tone quality differences are between the two… I would be interested in knowing which you prefer and why you prefer it…
Chad
I have only played other’s Burkes. I own an (Bernard O) Overton High D, and love it. Compared to the Burkes it is louder (but that depends on which Burke you get, the WBB gets pretty loud, I think). The Overton has a lot more chiff, requires more “push” to play, what StevieJ would call backpressure. They’re both very fast whistles, but between the two, the Overton will require some getting used to, while I don’t think the Burke would.
/bloomfield
[ This Message was edited by: Bloomfield on 2002-08-14 15:34 ]
What key whistle are you interested in? Are you performing/recording/visiting sessions, or just playing by yourself? I own several whistles by both makers, and can give you more detailed info if I know whether you’re looking for low whistles or a soprano D (or what have you).
Briefly, I prefer the low whistles by Overton, where their complexity is gorgeous (though the upperregister takes some work). For higher pitches, both make excellent, and very different, whistles.
[Edited to add: Generally, the Burke sound is purer, fewer overtones, brighter. The Overton is more complex, chiffy, full of overtones, and darker. Overtons may be, as Bloomfield pointed out, a bit louder in general, although the pure high notes of the Burke carry well. Both are fine instruments. I own Burkes in high and low D and low G, and Overtons in low F (my favorite whistle) and low D.]
[ This Message was edited by: herbivore12 on 2002-08-14 16:26 ]
Low G whistles are my favorite and what I am most interested in…
I have Overtons in Low D (tunable and non-tunable), Low F, and high D.
I have Burkes in high D (Al Pro and Composite), Bflat composite, A composite, G Al Pro.
The Overton F comes as close to a perfect whistle as I’ve played. For Low G, you may want to check out the Reyburn. It really has a haunting sound somewhere between the purity of Burke and the huskiness of the Overton.
jim
Low G, eh?
Well, it so happens that the Low G Burke is my favorite of the Burke whistles I have. It has an interesting design, with the delrin mouthpiece extending above the metal area of the whistle, so that the windway is entirely polymer, which pretty much stops all clogging.
I’m going to try an Overton Low G one of these days, but right now the only low G I have is a Burke, and I really like it for those times I want a pure sound. The upper register is pretty easy on the ears, compared to some low whistles I’ve played.
Good luck.
I’m with Herbivore – the Burke G is one of the finest whistles I’ve ever played. It has a nice, round sound with a strong bottom and all of the attention to detail Mike puts in all of his whistles.
I played Burke and Overton low-G’s and low-D’s side by side last month. I was kind of surprised how the Burkes, at least to my ears, have every bit as strong a bottom as the Overtons.
A few things to note, as it’s all personal taste: The Overton has lots more over- and undertones (the famous Overton growl); the Burke requires a lot more breath (I don’t find it an air hog); the Burke has much less of a tendency to clog.
Charlie
Well that confirms it then.
I had the opportunity to play a burke low d at a festival. It was lovely. Easy to play. It was a three piece low d. The right finger d hole could be twisted over for easier fingering.
It was tempting to cancel my overton low d order for the burke low d. But I resisted, and I am glad I did. Now I am ready to explore the growling low d overton. With its over and undertones. Good description.
Just a month or two to go!!!
Laura
Thanks for the help I know now that I want an Overton… after I get the Burke lol… so that I can have to Contrasting Whistles