I am suddenly seriously considering ordering a non-tunable Dixon D whistle in the very near future.
I would love to hear any reviews of this particular species.
Thanks,
Stella
The good news: very nice sound, pure with a slight bit of edge and some chiff, a bit soft, but projects fairly well anyway. Has some resistance; can take breath accents within reason. Well in tune with itself and against a guitar tuned to A-440.
My only complaints are that it clogs easily, and it can be a bit touchy right at the break (d and e in particular squeak easily). Also the bell note is not quite as strong as I like, and it feels a bit sluggish compared to some other whistles on articulation.
Overall, a very good whistle, well worth the money. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Best wishes,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
The Dixon has become the only whistle I find myself playing. It has a sweet pure sound that is very soothing to my soul. It’s a great value for the money. I can not say enough good things about it.
Peace, Bob
They’re a great whistle for the price, easy to play, farely loud, and very forgiving. But I find them to sound slightly sweetone-y, so if you don’t like the sweetones, you might not like the dixon.
Stella, I agree with all the above. I love my Dixon. As has already been said, it has a sweet pure tone, is very forgiving and the fingering is very comfortable. It is the first “higher” end whistle I aquired (if you can consider $16 high end!) and I am so happy with it. It is also a very lovely whistle to look at…very glossy black with Tony Dixons name on it. Quality, quality. Buy it NOW! Don’t hesitate. You will not have even a moment of regreting the purchase. You will wonder how you ever whistled without it!! All the best…
I am looking forward to getting a non-tunable Dixon, as I hear so many good things about them.
One thing I find very interesting about them is their perceived volume. Some reviews say that they are quiet, while others say that they are loud and keep up well in a session. Maybe this means that the volume is “just right”.
John Mac
That comparison to a SweeTone was correct. There’s even a slight hint of Susato in there. Not as much Susato as a Susato, of course.
Now, I understand the Dixon D is made of PVC? Does it look nice or does it look like…well, a plastic kiddy tooter? (I have seen pics but being so dark it doent seem to show up well, and I want a decent idea of what to expect.
I have heard that different metals sound different (as whistles! 
what difference does PVC make?
Thanks!
Stella
Here is a picture:
From left to right, Sweet Killourhy D, Michael Cronnolly high D, Parkhurst E-flat, Sweet D, and finally Dixon nontunable high D.
Best wishes,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
cool, thanks!
I am most pleased thaat it doesnt look at all ‘recorder-y’!
Stella
I had one and it was my favorite whistle, but a very good friend was moving and I gave it to him. I hope he plays it with as much enjoyment as I did. I’ll get another next time I can justify a whistle purchase.
The sound was like the best part of a Susato’s sound. It didn’t have that slightly painful and piercing quality that makes my right eardrum sort of buzz. (I do like my Susato, but I bought it for a loud whistle for playing dance music, it is right for that, but I don’t play it in the house.) The Dixon has a sound that carries through the whole house and wakes the baby. So, I stick to the classic Clarke for when she’s sleeping.
It is a nice whistle. I was glad I got it and will, as I said, get another.
-Patrick
One thing to watch for, check the tuning of the whistle you buy, or if possible have the seller check the tuning before it ships. I bought a non-tunable Dixon low D that was very sharp and became sharper up the scale to the point where the Bnat was a 1/4 step high. Other than that, it sounded very nice.
I only have a Dixon A and G, both of which I like very much; they are in fact now really the only whistles I play anymore, although I am getting used to my Cheiftain A.
In regards to looks, the picture doesn’t quite show how nice Dixons are for being plastic. Susatos are a shiny sort of hard plastic, and LOOK plastic. In contrast, Dixons are more matte, and seem somehow less plastic-y. I am one of those people who really DON’T like plastic things–I prefer wood or metal almost every time–but this is nice, non-ugly plastic.
Hi Stella,
I’ll send you a Dixon D, no charge. It’s the tunable, but not with the metal slide. It’s plastic on plastic. Just send me a whistle…any whistle of any value, in exchange. I have two of them, one brand new. I’ll send you the new one. Send me your postal address at my email address. I’ll do the same.
Tom.
I just put my address in your “private messages”. I can put the whistle in the mail tomorrow if I have your address then.
I’m a bit late to add to this thread but I have a Dixon D w/brass tuning slide and I love it. I love playing it and it looks very sharp. Like another member I too dislike most plastic things (especially something I have to put in my mouth). But the Dixon is a nice semi-gloss finish that looks sharp up close and from a distance. The next whistle on my WHOA list is a Dixon Low D (and maybe a Low G).