ONE HAS BEEN FOUND, PURCHASED AND IS ON ITS WAY… 
I AM SO THRILLED!!!
Your search efforts have paid off. Congratulations, Keith. Enjoy your whistle.
Are the Chieftain Brass low Ds the older versions, as opposed to the new range? -Does anyone also know what the difference between the new range and the older version is? Can you tell the difference just by looking at them? I think I heard the NR have the date that they were made stamped on them-starting with 2004- but besides that, can you tell? —mike
Careful with that axe, Eugene. You could easily kill someone with it. Mine weighs 84 lbs.
Dale
I’m not sure the new range comes in brass.
As for outward differences, compare the Chieftain pictures on Dale’s main C&F website (under “High End” or “low” whistles), and then go the Phil Hardy’s site. I think you will be able to note that the new range has softer, more rounded edges around the mouthpiece. They look less Overton-like than they used to.
As to how they play, I don’t know. Some early comments on this board seem favourable. It does look to me that comments based on the older models (mixed reviews) may no longer apply to new Chieftains.
With the Pound and Euro as strong as they are, and the new Chieftains being a bit of an unknown quality to me, I’m not expecting to get one any time soon, unless I can somehow try one first.
[post-edit: ok, I’m not sure the diffs are that clear between the old and new range Chieftains. I based my comments on various pix I’d remembered seeing of the old range on various sites. I thought Dale’s site had bigger photos, but I was mistaken. Now I’m doubting myself as to whether there is a distinct difference. Sorry about that.]
The brass are the older type. The new range are stamped “KWL CHIEFTAIN” on the back, and are better tuned. I’ve found the ‘old’ ones had to be very warmed up or they played flat. The new ones play much better in the second octave than the older ones IMO. Bear in mind these opinions are from very limited samplings, and may have to do with individual whistle characteristics.
The NR has the date stamped on the backside of the instrument I believe.
Phil hasn’t made whistles from Brass in a while and trying not to spaek out of turn, but I don’t beleive he will begin making Brass instruments anytime soon.
In addition, I think I recall Phil telling me that there were about 50 Brass Low G’s produced. That’s why I am excited. I knew after talking with Phil that I was in a up hill battle to find one.
Ishould have it in my nimble hands tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it plays.
ah. that was one great song…
Yeah. I especially like the part where he screams for three minutes. THAT, my friend, is art.
Pink Dale
Oh me oh my, I come in from a hard days work and what do I find in my home besides my wife and my twins to greet daddy, but a wonderful looking Chieftain Brass Low G…MINT. I almost forgot to kiss my wife and children and went directly to the gleaming instrument.
It is an absolute gorgeous instrumnet made be Phill Hardy himself. Fisr song played was Immigrants Daughter…the notes pierced the air circled and came backdown surrounding my irish heart…I can’t continue…Im going to cry.
Seriously though, I still defend that nothing compares to a solid piece of brass and its amazing sound it produces with a bit of warm air.