I just checked out the Kerry site in detail for the first time - great site with a lot of nice clips and easy to navigate and hear the various whistles being played. However, the variety of whistles available with accompanying descriptions is mind-boggling. As a Manhattan retailer has just begun stocking some, I may be able to try them out. I haven’t been a Chieftain person, so if anyone has any input regarding all the models noted on the site, I’d appreciate hearing from you.
I can comment on a few, but not all. Most of my Chieftains are gold, which are the “oldstyle” and aren’t in production anymore. I did just get a mezzo d gold, which from what I understand is similar to the alloy in that the back pressure and air volume required are similar. The mezzo d has a fat sound, being a wide bore. The Kerry Songbird soprano d is not as loud and it has a different head design altogether. When I asked Phil about the difference between the two and that I wanted a “power” whistle that was louder, he pointed me to the mezzo over the songbird. One of my favorite whistles is a new Kerry Songbird Low D that I have had for a month+, and it has a lovely flutey sound to it. Not at all like the typical Chieftain Low D sound.
Hopefully, someone with more experience in the Kerry/Chieftain line’s newer whistles can pipe up.
I like the way Kerry whistles fit me. Reminds me of my Bill Mazeroski fielders mitt in the 4th grade. A good fit makes me play better. I dont have the time/inclination for me to fit the whistle or the whistle to fit me. I tried to shoehorn other excellent whistles into my idiom; Life is too short.
I have a complete set of the latest Chieftain NR whistles, some tunable, the Kerry Pro tunable Low D and the Songbird Low D. After I got them, I threw out or burned all my other whistles except for the Freemans and the beloved Busman.
There seems to be a very wide range of opinions from whistlers on the Chieftains and Kerrys, so I’ve also been curious to try some on my own. But like Philo, I’m boggled (confused is more like it) by the many models, both current & discontinued, in the Chieftain/Kerry line. There’s Old models, New models, New Range (is that same as new model?), Golds, and more that I can’t recall just now. Then add in your Kerrys, Kerry Pros, Songbirds, etc. I see people raving about some of the discontinued models, so that tells me that the new models aren’t necessary better than some discontinued ones(?) All very confusing for someone wanting to try some on for size.
I just bought a used A, (new in 2004, but I have no idea what “model” it is). Hasn’t been delivered yet, but I’m worried that if I like it, I won’t know what “model” to get in other keys that will have the same characteristics. Sure would like to see a short descriptive summary of the various models that have been/are currently made.
This is what I have found with Kerry Whistle whistles:
The Old-Style OS Chieftains had specific breath requirements. His New Range NR have improved breath requirements, slight but appreciated. Both sound the same to me. Not as “pure” as the Kerry Pro but equally pleasing in their own right. I play both OS and NR, both low and soprano D for ITM. I like them all. For Soprano D I prefer the OS because I am used to it.
The Kerry Pro Low D has a purer sound than the Chieftain. Breath requirement is the same as a OS Chieftain. A very clean snap when flipping octaves. This is my whistle for reels.
The Songbird Low D has a noticeably warmer, haunting sound than the others. Highs seems subdued. Wonderful for airs.
Fingering on all are approximately the same. Ability to control volume is about the same on all. This is big deal to me since I play a lot of non- ITM and I dont feel like humping the mic to get volume control.
As I noted in a prior post, I play all 3 Low Ds depending on tune. I cannot suggest one over another. It depends on what you want to hear from your whistle.
If you have an opportunity to play the different whistles do so as they each have their own unique sound.
What is the physical difference between the models? No clue. Dont care. Ask Phil
Wanderer did a very nice review of both the OS Cheiftain Low D and the New Range Cheiftain low D which clearly displays the physical differences between OS and NR with very nice pictures. His reviews are very descriptive with pics and sound clips. Look here http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/reviews.asp they are well worth viewing and point out the difference between OS and NR, and as I said , they point out the different differences which are different.