After having bought from a forum member a wonderful Alba low D Vibe, i.e. the Alba latest low D model, I got today from Big Whistle Shop in UK a brand new Alba Low D standard. As many know, Alba is currently selling both models because, according to their press release, they are different therefore they are not “in competition”. And they are very right.
When I received the Alba Vibe a few days ago, I was enchanted by its 'breathy" and evocative sound. It reminds me a bit of a Chieftain V3i.e. very “breathy”.
But with its own personality. Very easy to play (for a low d) , with not an excessive finger spacing ( I use the standard grip with my left hand and the piper grip with my right hand but I believe that it would be possible to use the standard grip also with the right hand). What I like (a lot) is that you can push this whistle, with no concern that the first octave will break into the second one. On the other hand, it is easy to go to the second octave just speeding the flow of air. The first and the second octaves are very balanced. I do not have the experience and the talent to post audio clips, but you can listen to some on the web.
Great low D whistle. I also had in the past a Dixon, a Susato, a Syn, and a Chieftain V3. With the exception of the Chieftain, they were all very different from the Alba Vibe. But for my personal taste, no comparison, the Vibe wins hands down with its “enchanting/breathing” sound.
Then, today, I spent a couple of hours with the Alba Standard low D.
Boy, are they different and are they both wonderful ! I could not believe that two “aluminium tubes with six holes” could sound so different. I guess this is much evident if you play it live than if you hear to audio clips.
So, let me tell you about the Alba Standard: cosmetically, it has a different, larger mouth piece, and a different shaped blade. The holes are slightly larger, the volume is very slightly higher than the Vibe.
Same playability, same balance within octaves.
But the sound has, how can I say it?, a 10 % of “oboe” in it, and a 20 %
less breathiness. Pure, clean, “creamy”, still very “Irish whistle”.
They are so different and at the same time so appealing in their sound that it would not make sense to depart from one of them. I guess that probably in the future, depending from what I play, I will naturally lean toward one or the other. Is it possible to love two women at the same time ? Some say no. Well, it is definitely possible to love two whistles at the same time ! Thank you for your attention.
Thanks, for the thoughts.
Sharing info like this is helpful for those of us who love the Lows…
Are these two whistles equally easy to handle?
(Bigger holes, longer stretches, breath requirements, etc…)
Some of us play Lows, but have marginal hand-size/lung-capacity issues.
A-Musing, in my opinion they are both equally easy to handle.
The main difference is in the sound (not in the playability) :
the Vibe is breathy, there is a bit of “flute” in it. The Standard is
creamy, velvety, with just the right amount of breath, and a bit of
“oboe” in it.
Thank you for the comparison. I am going to be able to buy my first low D next spring, and I am intrigued by the Alba style. The problem is, I need a whistle with a low air requirement–that is my first priority. Is the Alba Standard going to work for me? If not, which (cheaper) low D do you know of that qualifies for small lung capacity?
Thanks.
In my opinion both Alba whistles have medium air requirements.
Among the whistles that I had in the past, the one that has the smallest air requirement is the Syn low D. It is an interesting whistle, with a very clear and “reedy” (not very breathy) sound. Made in aluminium with mouthpiece in delrin. Doc from the irishflutestore sells it at $ 135.00.
You should post a specific thread on this and I am sure that you will get plenty of answers from the forum members.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’d like to see another C&F update on whistles. There are so many questions on board of “what whistle should I buy…” that to have a fully comprehensive chart on air requirements, updated prices, tones, etc. would be helpful. Reviews like yours are always so appreciated. Thanks again.