Just seen this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ2P2gW8WZI&list=UUTmnmuvIJhps27nHLXDy4fA
Interesting to hear the tones of older low Ds.
wiz
I love the videos Phil makes where he goes back and discusses the history of his firm and plays examples of his whistles from the various periods.
It’s sort of amazing that he’s been able to hold onto an example of each iteration. Most makers don’t seem to do that.
One of his videos features the old “Chieftain Gold” low D in heavy brass and he’s bang on, it’s a special whistle, unique really.
About the “tone of the older Low D’s” my first teacher/mentor back around 1980 played an Overton Low D as his primary instrument. He played flute too, and very well, but was most enchanted by the Low D, a relatively new instrument at that time. The Bernard Overton/Phil Hardy/Colin Goldie legacy is a nice bit of continuity going back to the earliest Low Ds of the 1970s.
Yeah, thanks Wiz for posting this. I got the email too, but thought I wasn’t in the market for another low whistle, but reconsidered when I saw your post and went back and viewed the video just for fun.
And yes, you’re right-it’s interesting to hear the older whistles, and I have always liked to hear comparisons like that, even if it’s done off the cuff like Phil did. You still can come away with some ideas about the differences. I didn’t really think the V4 sounded the best in his short demo. But I wrote to Phil and when he told me that it was indeed the one he played in North Stoke church (in his product video section), I decided I did need another low whistle! 
That one really struck me as a great player, even if it was enhanced by the natural reverb of the church. I want something that will play more quietly overall (as the V4 was designed to), but that will still perform if pushed a bit too. So thanks again for posting, seems I will really be…Stoked then! 
It does seem Phil keeps some good examples of his work around (and is an active player besides, so it makes sense), and also his production of whistles far exceeds many other makers from the simple fact that most are not handmade other than maybe the prototypes and Kerry Pros. So he has had plenty to choose from, also given the many models he has brought forth through the years. He seems a man that doesn’t sit still very well without moving something! I don’t know that he sleeps much-can’t imagine someone with that much energy does. Saw a couple of his guitar playing vids on youtube from that link too-didn’t even know he played-and he does that pretty darned well too!
Richard, agree about the Chieftain Gold Low D-wish I had held onto mine, but you know…Oh well. You also mentioned Bernard Overton and that legacy of the start of the low whistles-Phil posted a short video of Bernard in his workshop from long ago that is also on Youtube, and can be found via Wizzywig’s link, but here is the direct link to the video if anyone is interested. Bernard was explaining how he does some work on a whistle he is making. Not extensive in scope, but interesting to see and hear anyway, especially since his passing and it may be unique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khdx9mBMXTI&list=UUTmnmuvIJhps27nHLXDy4fA&index=9
Phil’s got some more up for sale, if anyone is interested. Apparently all the others have sold, except for one OS Chieftain. Now up, besides the OS, is a NR custom that has the brass barrel instead of the aluminum. Should be a great whistle-I have a NR, fixed (non-tunable), and can’t take advantage (mine is one-piece), but I love my NR, and can imagine with a brass barrel it would be as great too, or maybe even better.
I have a Kerry Pro custom, with both barrels, and really love the brass body, and play it exclusively even though the KP with the alu barrel sounds great too. If I didn’t have the KP custom, I’d jump on the NR custom, for sure. Has to be a good one (especially for playing in quieter environs).
Also offered is a fresh Kerry Pro from his workshop-it sounds amazing too. Here’s the video link;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyaD9Pf__qQ&feature=youtu.be
You may want to note that only the OS Chieftain is a cheap Low D, the other two are 150 and 175 (Kerry Pro) GBP, which translates to about $222 and $260 respectively currently, and are a bit more than the others previously listed. Though for a hand built whistle, $260 is pretty darned good in the marketplace even today. Of course, the custom model NR (brass barrel) is worth a bit more for the uniqueness as well. I love the brass barrel on my KP.
But contact Phil if you are interested as he is the final say in the price, as it’s not stated if it’s for those in the EU or elsewhere (no VAT), so you might pay less if you inquire-just a thought from me, certainly not from the man himself.
Edited this to be more precise about the prices.
Yes indeed. For top-quality musical instruments, Low Whistles are very inexpensive.
I know how little of how a whistle sounds translates onto a YouTube video, nevertheless the Kerry Pro sounds (to my ear) to be clearly superior to the other ones.
BTW Phil Hardy and Colin Goldie both make high-end whistles that carry on the Overton legacy, and I want to ask those who own both how do they compare?