Does anyone know about the “Lon Dubh” whistles by Pat O’Dwyer and could comment on their playability, sound, tone, etc.?
I’ve heard some clips of these whistles from whistleanddrum.com and I’ve been impressed with the sound, especially of the blackwood, but I was wondering what you guys think?
Also, how do these whistles stack up to other wooden whistles like the Abell’s?
Thanks,
Mike
Go to the main site, High end whistles, and there is an extensive review by Jessie.
My review does not apply to the current, thicker-walled design. It plays completely differently from the old ones.
Sorry guys, but I didn’t make myself clear. I’m refering to the Lon Dubh that JessieK is referring to - the new, thicker-walled design. It was Jessie’s review of the Lon Dubh on the High-End/Expensive Whistles page that got me interested in O’Dwyer’s instruments in the first place. However, the new whistle seems quite different from the one Jessie reviewed. In the pictures I have seen, the whistle appears to have a brass neck and, as JessieK said, thicker walls
So, what I really meant to ask is, what people think of the newer models that are currently on the market?
Thanks for your patience and input.
Mike
I have not played one with a big brass part, but I have played one with the current thick walls. I found its tone completely lacking in character. It was so pure as to be unmusical, and not pleasant to play, though breath requirements and pressure were fine. When strength and durability were added (with thicker walls), the magic was lost.
I’ll get some soundclips up in a couple weeks. I really like the new design and as far as the wall thickness goes, these are about as thin as I’ve seen on a wooden whistle - while still giving an in tune 0xx 000 C nat. The tone on the new design is very similar to your first one Jessie. Maybe a bit brighter due to the brass blade.
I was playing with Eliot Grasso and Frank Claudy ( http://www.eliotgrasso.com ) the other night. Frank plays an older design that is very edgey in sound (which he loves… not personally for me… I dig a clearer tone). Eliot asked if he could try the new one that I had with me… After playing it at length he said that it was the best whistle that he has ever played.
Enough hype… I’ll get to sound clips when I get back from a family trip that I’m about to make.
Of course, if you don’t like the new design you can always return them.
It may be a while till he makes the next batch as he’s working on a flute design at the moment. Can’t wait for that!
To confuse the issue even more… I’m starting to carry Desi Seery’s new design whistles which are killer… (not on the site yet… my first batch of 3 were sold before I could get them on) This is why we all have Whoa! I can be happy with one flute but I “have” to have my arsenal of whistles!
Sorry about the quasi-commercial nature of my post but since I’m the only one here who has played them at length I thought I might chime in. you might email Eliot and get it straight from the piper’s mouth 
Best,
quote from a customer tonight! Funny… She’s speaking of the new style LD that she gave as a gift to a friend…
“How’s your stock on the Lon Dubh’s? In some ways she likes it better than her O’Riordans!”
Hope that helps…
Best,
What I said above applies to the Delrin Lon Dubh that I ordered from Blayne’s shop (while he was in Ireland) and promptly returned. As stated above, I have not played one with the brass thing. Do they have a newer new design now?
Also, it should be known that the 4 Lon Dubhs I have played varied tremendously (block edge was beveled or not beveled, blade was sharper or not as sharp, wall thickness, etc.), and I have liked two of them. Of those two, one was too quiet to play in public (then the mouthpiece cracked and it was replaced by Blayne, or, presumably, by the maker), the other was perfect (I still have it and have recorded with it). Of the two I didn’t like, one had a thick wall (mentioned above) and the other had a too-sharp blade that seemed to be paper-thin at its edge. The high b on that one was a bit screechy.
So, I have no way of giving an accurate opinion on the current Lon Dubhs.
One recently sold on eBay</A](http://cgi.ebay.com/Lon-Dubh-Irish-Whistle_W0QQitemZ230006751865QQihZ013QQcategoryZ624QQcmdZViewItem">eBay</A)>.
Yes, Gary, I saw that. I just wondered if the dimensions, as opposed to materials, had changed again.
I’ve had 3 of the pre-brass-thing LDs - they all played beautifully. Some slight differences in volume but the tone, tuning and balance were very pleasing. I also found them to be good in a small to medium size session environment.