I have a Viper pro low D and an Alpro A in Aluminum from Mr. Burke.
I am thinking I will buy a D and C narrow bore from him this summer, does anyone know if there is a sound difference between his brass and aluminum whistles?
Thanks for the info.
I’ve noticed little sound difference that could be attributed to the material in Micheal’s whistles. The difference I’ve seen is that a brass whistle will maintain pitch better due to brass’ lower thermal coefficient. You can play an aluminium whistle for 30 minutes, set it down for 2 minutes in a cool room, and drop 15-20 cents in tuning when you pick it back up.
dave boling
That knowledge is greatly appreciated, though a little over my head I admit. Still I was thinking brass anyway.
Thanks
There was a fairly recent thread on this if you feel like looking.
I posted a thread on this subject a little over a month ago. I don’t know if that was the one John was talking about. I bought the DBSBT, which I really love. I would be interested in trying out a narrow bore, but I assume it will have a quieter tone, which would probably make it too similar to the Hoover Whitecap narrow bore I have, which is a great value if you want a quieter pure tone.
I know some people responding to my post mentioned that the aluminum has a brighter sound, and the brass is warmer, or what I like to call round, in the vein of a Generation, as in very high-end Generation. I honestely think Michael could sell these whistles for more, but I’m glad he doesn’t since I’d like to get one of his AlPro G’s sometime this summer.
Matt
In laymans terms, brass stays warm longer, so it doesn’t go out of tune. Aluminum gets cold faster. Cold whistles are flatter…warm whistles are sharper.
So if you’re in tune, and your whistle goes gold, your whistle goes flat.
Brass is heavier…Aluminum is lighter. The actual sound follows suit…The brass whistle has a fuller, broader sound. The aluminum whistle sounds more pointed, and light. Subjectively, the aluminum sounds a tiny bit louder, but objectively they are very much the same in volume…
The narrow bore Burkes seem a little lighter on their feet than the standard bores. I hesitate to use the word ‘slower’ concerning the standard bores, because they are not slower. There is simply an agility about the narrow bores that is amazing.
Bottom line for your original question? If you wish a more traditional whistle sound, buy the brass whistle. For one of the purest sounds in whistledom, go aluminum.
Best to all.
Byll
But if it goes gold, doesn’t that make it more valuable? 
In the music biz? maybe to the RIAA…you can be pretty sure that as an artist, you won’t get much for going gold
Ok, gotcha guys, but to Byll.
So does that mean you recommend aluminum over brass? I am asking for your personal opinion based on what you like more.
Thanks
I’ve had both an aluminum and a brass narrow bore D for over two years, and I still don’t know which is my favorite.
If you buy an aluminum one and start having doubts, then go buy a brass one. We’re talking whistles here, not $6000 French horns. 
I’m sure he’ll speak for himself, but I doubt he’ll come down on a side; Byll uses both, back and forth, frequently and has brass and aluminum in the same keys. Different moods for different times.
TommyK (fellow bandmate of Byll)
Ach. My bandmate knows me so well…
I don’t have a favorite between brass and aluminum Burkes…It truly depends on the mood of the song, the perceived mood of the audience, and my own mood. I feel blessed to play instruments from a maker who has the consistency in his build quality and playability to allow such choices to be an option. I don’t have to ‘think’ about which instrument I am playing at the moment…
Demon_Piper: If you are looking for a more traditional whistle sound, you would do well to consider the NB Brass Pro first…When your funds recover, it would be well to consider the AlPros in the same keys. They are different enough in subjective sound quality to make things interesting…
Good luck in your choice.
Byll (fellow bandmate of TommyK)
I have a Viper in Aluminum and an Alpro A.
I was just wondering about the keys I could get in brass, which way is the way to go.
Thanks for the thoughts. I think I’m going brass.
Beannacht leat