I recently picked up a Tony Dixon tunable alloy D. Neat whistle. It has a plastic head and an aluminium body with a brass (?) tuning slide.
I found it in a local music shop that has a surprisingly large selection of whistles. They regularly carry Susatos, Chieftains, Megs, Clarks, Sweetones, Dixons, Sindts and Sweethearts. Side note: I tried a low D Sweetheart flute in Dymandwood with the alternate whistle head. It will be mine! cue maniacal laughter
This whistle is quite different from the majority of the whistles I own. However, all my other ones are cheapies. I have Susatos (Bb, D), a D Clark, a D Feadog, a D Oak, a D Sweetone and a D Generation.
The Dixon is strong all the way through, even in the second octave. I like the low amount of breath it takes. It does seem to be a bit more picky about having all of the holes completely covered but I am sure I will get used to that soon enough. It seems very responsive to ornaments (as well as I can execute them, anyway :roll: ).
All around, I am very happy with my purchase. It was less than $80 Canadian and suits me nicely.
I’d still like to get a Sindt and a Burke though. I like the way they sound too.
I love my Dixons too.
Sindts and Burkes have come and gone, but my collection of Dixons keeps on growing. Two more are in transit right now with a third being built.
Hang onto this one, it will never disappoint you.
Just one tip: for c natural, try 0X0000. Works really well on the high and low D aluminum. I haven’t tested it with a tuner, but to my ear it sounds great.
Mike
Dixon was my first expensive-ish whistle. I traded that a long time ago for a different whistle which I ended up selling. I thought it took too little air but what can I say I like a whistle you can lean into more. I prefer my Burke nowadays but am thinking of getting something made of wood.
Hey, Derek.
Vancouver area, anyway. Bowen Island. I’ve been meaning to go to the session at the Wolf and Hound forever, but I never manage to get there. I mostly play with friends closer to home.
Cheers, Mike
I have the D and C Dixon ABS/aluminium whistles and I love 'em. They clog a tiny bit, but not as much as my Susato - and they blow clear easily enough.
I find regular application of washing-up liquid followed by a rinse out works wonders for clogging. If you leave a bit of washing-up liquid residue in the whistle it stops large water droplets forming and disperses the moisture pretty effectively. I used to have to warm up my wide bore Reyburn whistles and get past the clogging phase before I could even attempt the second octave, now with regular washing-up treatment I no longer have any troubles.
I also have the alloy/plastic Dixon high D and think they’re great for the money. 90 per cent of the tone of a high end whistle for a third of the cost. Getting one has definitely deferred my high D Whoad.