I love my high D Sindt, and am thinking of getting a low D whistle. So just wondering what low D’s other Sindt players prefer. Hoping to find one that’s as wonderful to play as my Sindt, like back pressure and that - if possible???
Opinions please?
Thanks!
xx
Free Feet,
I love my Sindt Whistles and John is truly a gifted whistlesmith in every right. Not sure exactly what you are asking, but it seems to be apples to oranges as for comparison.
As for low D’s I own and play a MK Pro and a Kerry. Other low whistles I have include a Burke, Kerry, Overton / Goldie, and an O’Riordan.
The lowest Sindt that John currently makes is an A. I surely would be interested in any lower keys he ever decided to make. PROBLEM - many, many, others would also be interested. 
Cheers Mate,
Cayden
And, ahead of in line… 
Hi Cayden
I think what i’m trying to get at is that i’ve tried some low D’s and they take a shed load of air, have to push too much to get up an octave, etc..
What i’d like is something with a similar air requirement to a Sindt, or at least reasonably so, and that kind of ease between the octaves.
I notice you said you played an MK. I have looked at their website and they do look lovely. Are these an easy switch to play from a Sindt?
Hope i’m making some sense. Kinda know what i mean in my head, just putting it into words.
Thanks.
xx
I’m not really a low whistler, rank beginner here, but, my suggestion would be for you to contact a few whistlemakers and directly talk about your preferences for a low whistle. You’ll learn a lot from just talking to the craftsman who can make your whistle. Personalized education. Choose a few makers and go for it… just talking… until you’re ready, and take your time because it’s your money. Good luck.
Phil Hardy says that he designed the Kerry Optima low D with high D whistle players in mind.
I have an Optima and I can’t say that it is quite like playing a high D but it takes a moderate amount of breath and plays well for a low D.
It is reasonably prices and comes from the U.K.
Take a look at the videos on his website in the pro files section and don’t miss out on Orla McCauliffe playing hers!
http://www.kerrywhistles.com/movie.php?groupID=37
Cheers!
Nate
Here for the Sindt love! <3
I’m not sure what low whistle would be best as my low whistle experience went from sindt → Susato → Ian Lambe → MK Pro (My current go to). I do love my MK as the breath requirement is less and the holes are “smaller” than my Ian Lambe. Maybe if you can try an MK before you buy one would be a better indicator of your preferences. Another option you could go is get a Goldie Whistle as he custom makes them to the player’s desire (yet to try one but hoping to do so one day!)
So yes, another vote for the MK as an avid Sindt player. 
I have played and owned a lot of whistles and never found the Sindt D whistle to my liking. I don’t like the top heavy brass head, the out of tune C# and bottom end was really weak. I moved on to greener pastures and play one of the best trad whistles on the planet…a Reyburn narrow bore! Dark and rich like a good piece of chocolate.
I think if you are looking for a low D that is easy to play with not a lot of volume like a Sindt I could definitely recommend a Tony Dixon, tune able, black polymer whistle.
If you are enamored with the incredible tone that Orla gets from her Optima then definitely skip the Dixon.
I’ll jump in here since I’ve been down this path. No low whistle, D or otherwise, will have the same breath pressure as a high D Sindt, but you know that. I don’t know why Mr. Nate had the problems he stated since I have several Sindts and none of them plays as he describes. I think he may be referring to not being able to cross-finger Cnat (not C#). But as you also know by now, that’s an easy transition to figure out. If you’re looking for similar playing characteristics in a low whistle such as: excellent breath pressure consistency across two octaves, with just enough resistance to know it’s there, a tendency to lean ever so slightly toward pure rather than trad, and superbly accurate tuning including plenty of session volume and a solid bell note, I’d consider having Goldie make an “Easy” blowing version of his low D for you.
I have now or have had in the past one or more MK, Goldie, Burke, Copeland, Dixon, Reviol, Lambe, Chieftain, and others. I still own and play several of these. None of them has all the characteristics I believe Sindt offers except for the Easy Goldie and Colin is a pleasure to work with.
But low whistles are very different than high whistles and you may find, as I did, that you prefer other design considerations. For example, one will never find that booming resonant tone that some consider the “holy grail” of low whistle tone and you don’t experience this with high whistles at all IMHO. MK low whistles won’t get you there, in fact that’s the weakest part of MK as others have often mentioned on C&F. Dixon won’t either but Burke and Goldie will, as will Reyburn and some Copeland’s though most won’t. Of course, these last four are all completely different in breath requirements.
I do prattle one sometimes though 
ecohawk
I do agree with Mr Nate to some extent i must say.. The top heavyness is something you get used to though (or not..) But the cross fingered C-nat annoyed me enough to replace the tube with a brass Feadóg one - problem solved. I still fail to see the “divine-ness” with Sindts though, IMO they’re a good whistle - period, and there’s a plethora of good whistles out there
That said - and to the topic, i find my Löfgren low D the most agreeable i have owned, and in fact the only low D i have kept..
You say you don’t like high air requirements nor do you like to have to push hard to get the upper octave. I have to agree with Mr Nate. The Optima would be a good choice and Phil is selling his “blue tint” version at £59 right now, something of a bargain for an aluminium whistle.
A Goldie Low D is a wonderful instrument and I dearly love mine but even Colin’s soft blower does require a lot of push in the upper second octave, B and above, compared to the ease with which you can get up there on a Sindt. Reviol may be another choice. They don’t take a huge amount of air nor do they require a lot of push higher up. The holes are quite large and will take some getting used to. No, I still come back to the Optima as a great way to start on a Low D.
I think that one is next on my to-buy list!
I’ve not tried lower than low G of the Löfgren whistles, but it’s my favourite low G of any I’ve played (that includes burke, goldie, susato, dixon) . I can’t imagine the low D being too bad, considering the superb quality of the highs and altos. For low D’s, I think Burke, MK, Reviol, Goldie, and Lambe are all great in my opinion, but it depends what you want.
It might be a good idea to not wear your soprano D glasses when looking for a low D, though! What ecohawk first mentioned is spot-on. (regarding not being able to find a low D that plays just like your sindt)
Thanks for all the help, advice and info, everyone. Much appreciated.
I’m thinking (price wise, if nothing else), i may as well give the Optima a try.
I do accept that i won’t get a low d like a high d, just don’t want to be busting my lungs for air and push. Bit of a lazy blower. 
Thanks again!
xx
Don’t think you’ll regret it.
Not sure what you mean by push, but just in case- Most easy blowing whistles have less blowing resistance and the higher notes seem easier. There are exceptions, of course. However, an example would be that an MK has more resistance than a Burke, Reviol, or Lambe, and it also requires a lot of push to get to high B. It uses much less air/lung capacity, but more push. On the other hand, the Burke , Reviol, or Lambe will likely uses more of your lung capacity, but it doesn’t offer much resistance and the higher notes seem easier. There are exceptions to this, though.
A little disclosure about the Optima
When playing random notes on the Optima it takes an extra push and focused airstream when you get to the high b and d note.
Sometimes the low E and D are a little touchy on the breath pressure when coming down from higher notes.
For tuning the second octave is 20 c sharp then 30c on the high a, b.
The Reyburn low D I recently played on the tour requires about the same air requirements as the Optima, has a similar hole spacing but the Reyburn plays more in tune and reaches the high notes easier. The Reyburn is slightly more free blowing and it takes a bit of practice to play faster tunes. The Reyburn costs considerably more than an Optima and the biggest downside to me about the Reyburn is the weight of the heavy brass. The Optima is light as a feather!
Your Mileage may vary!
Cheers,
Nate
The weight of the brass is a drawback with the Reyburn. Mr Nate, which of the two Reyburn Low Ds are you referring to here, the standard or the other one? I do like the sound of its dynamics but with the brass and the cost of importing into the UK, its a risk I’m not sure I want to take.
Mike,
I liked the standard best. I can’t remember what the other version was called. The standard had the fullest sound and needed to be driven a little harder but it wasn’t difficult to play. Both of them almost look identical except for some small dimensional differences in the head. I couldn’t see any difference when they were both side by side. They were both made out of brass.
After a week of playing the Reyburn I started to get use to the weight of the brass but an alloy whistle is just easier to handle.
There were a lot of detailed comments posted on the tour thread. I am not an avid low D player so I don’t know if my impressions are that valid.
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/cp-ronaldo-reyburn-low-d-whistle-tour/86366/1
Thanks,
Nate
Thanks Nate.