Could owners of this whistle share their likes and dislikes? thanx in advance…
This whislte kicks SERIOUS butt!!! I’m honestly supprised more folks don’t own one already!
It’s got the best tone of any whistle I own hands down, and is a breeze to play. Very low breath, but a decent tone to boot. Not too humble, but not at all loud and screechy. In a session of three to six people, it’ll stand out on it’s own just fine.
You do have to work on breath control a bit or you may be prone to the occasional squeak, but otherwise, it’s wonderfull. I own a brass w/ green head D and have played a brass w/ red top, as well as nickel w/ black top varieties. All seemed remarkably well made, and consistent.
B~
I have a recording of one up on my Flute and Whistles comparison page.
Go to:
Click on the Irish Music link, then on the Flute and Whistle comparisons link.
Mine is the brass with the red top. Not tried one of the new nickel ones. For those who have both, how do they compare?
Cheers,
Michael
[ This Message was edited by: eskin on 2002-06-01 13:48 ]
It’s all about breath control with this whistle. Very soft blowing. Takes discipline. If you get too excited and try to boost the volume, forget it; you squeak. It took me awhile to develop the control to not blow too hard and so, it was awhile before I decided I liked it. I’d squeak the 2nd octave D a lot.
The tone is very pure. Basically Generation sounding w/ basically no chiff. I wouldn’t mind if it had just a bit. In a big session, I think the sound would disappear. It looks like a toy to me- mine’s brass w/ red fipple. I have something posted on Clips with it. Don’t remember what.
I wouldn’t own this whistle as my only or first whistle, but overall, it’s worth owning.
Tony
I pretty much agree with other owners esp Tony. I almost returned this whistle because it took getting used to in terms of the breath control and slimness of the whistle. However, I did get used to it and it really is a lovely sounding whistle that I now find a pleasure to play. Philo
I think that Brian and Tony have it covered. I own the brass/green mouthpiece variety and in my opinion, this is a superb little whistle. It is a breeze to play, with a gorgeous, pure, yet traditional-sounding tone. It plays easily into the third octave and still sounds good! Low breath requirements and very responsive. If only more whistles were like this!
Whistle players with several instruments will probably gravitate toward certain ones and find themselves playing one or two of their whistles much more often than they do the other ones. When one whistle is frequently picked out of a collection and played by preference it is likely to be a good whistle. I can report that I find myself playing my O’Briain very often indeed…say no more.
Mick
The proof’s in the pudding. I just posted a tune to Clips with mine. See for yourself.
Tony
Thanx everyone…I just placed the order.BTW,lovely Tony..
Groan – just what I needed – another whistle to add to my wants list!
TK
So, where does one find one of these gems? Sounds like one I might like.
Redwolf
Buy the C O’B and a better Susato [for louder sessions] and it’s probably all you’ll ever need…less than £50 [=$80 ?]
…you can then spend the rest of your money buying drinks, CD’s or lessons…or trips to Willie Week etc…and you won’t need to spend hundreds on expensive instruments !!!
On 2002-06-02 03:35, Redwolf wrote:
So, where does one find one of these gems? Sounds like one I might like.
You can buy them directly from Cillian O’Briain or at a few stores in Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Adare etc.
You can buy them via the web (exclusively, I think) at Shanna Quay.
Steve
Question for Steve, or any one who owns one of these whistles: Is the brass body coated with anything? Much as I like the look of a well worn brass whistle, I have an aversion the the smell that naked brass leaves on my fingers =:^
I’m also wondering, how the tone of the brass bodied whistle differs from that of it’s nickel bodied sibling?
Thanks,
Loren
Loren,
I’m not sure if the brass has any coating but I can smell brass on my fingers after playing. It doesn’t bother me and the smell isn’t as strong as I get from playing my NB brass Hoover.
To those considering this whistle: I agree with what has been said in the previous posts. This is one of my most played whistles. I highly recommend it. Buy it from Shanna Quay. The customer service is great. 
On 2002-06-02 09:21, Loren wrote:
Question for Steve, or any one who owns one of these whistles: Is the brass body coated with anything?
Loren
Hi Loren
As to the coationg, it’s the same as on the brass Feadóg (should you have one of those whistles). I’ll ring Keynote, who will know as much about the coating as Cillian - although I’ll be speaking to him next week, too. I’ll get back to you. As to the sound, it might be better if a less biased person answered that question - but generally, it will be roughly similar to the difference between brass and nickel Feadógs or Genny’s (only with the O’Briain additions). Oh, I think I answered it, anyway!
Best wishes,
Steve
I don’t notice much brass smell. Dang, you’re picky. What’s really taken a beating on mine is the sticker with O’Briain’s name on it. Illegible now. Time to peel it off.
Also, I redid my tune slower, with more control. I always record tunes right after I learn them. I get so excited about new tunes. I should wait until I have them under control. Next week, I’ll probably kick myself for not waiting on this one.
I just got Mike McGoldrick’s Fused cd. There are several I’ve got to learn from there.
Tony
Oh, I’m a bad wolfie…but a happy one! Just placed my order. Ah well, I haven’t succumbed to WhOA in a long time, so surely I can be forgiven a small lapse, eh?
Redwolf
For those who own both the nickel and the brass versions of this whistle, which do you prefer most? I’m about to place my order and don’t know which to choose! HELP!! 
Hwyl fawr,
Andrea
There’s another post to Clips on an O’Briain Improved. This is a reel, Morning Dew, by Mick Woodruff.
(It gives me another chance to plug the site. I still wonder if everyone knows about it.)
Tony
Thanks, Tony; you beat me to it!
Mick