I am looking for a good low D. I have been playing tin whistle for eight months and I think that it is finally time for me to get one. I actually tried playing one (a Copeland) and I had only minimal trouble with it. My problem is that I am on a very limited budget, leaving a Copeland out of the question. Can anyone suggest a good whistle?
Welcome Tetra,
What is your price range? What were the characteristics you liked most about the Copeland?
I really loved the tone of the Copeland, although everything about it was pretty cool. My price range goes up to $250.
well for that range, you can get a Burke low D viper. that is an awesome low whistle. it sings in the higher octaves, and you can make it growl in the lower ones. 
Hmm… I looked at the Burke website. That is a nice sounding whistle. I had never heard of that whistle before. How about Susatos and Overtons? I’ve heard pretty conflicting views on the Susato, and I’ve heard that Overtons are great.
Hmm… I looked at the Burke website. That is a nice sounding whistle. I had never heard of that whistle before. How about Susatos and Overtons? I’ve heard pretty conflicting views on the Susato, and I’ve heard that Overtons are great.
Overtons are great.
I second the Overtons. Fine whistles. Burke composite whistles are very nice as well, though I haven’t tried a low D.
i have not tried it yet but the sound is good a kerry songbird-it sounded real smooth -------i personally have a Overton --it is great -----
My Overton is alive … it sings.
I’ve been playing a Susato low D for over a year. It’s in tune and sounds great.
Here’s a clip of my playing Dusty Windowsills on one.
http://tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/Audio/05-07/dustywindowsillsLeeS.mp3
Whistles are quite addictive to collect and people often talk like “this whistle sounds good,” and “that whistle sounds band” but what it boils down to is how you play it.
all of the above mentioned whistles are good choices. The susato is the most cost-effective, though.
Overton is a legendary low whistle. It’s supposed to be the first made low whistle. It can be heard in the Titanic. It’s played by Finbar Furey and Brian Finnigan (Flook). AWSOME! I have an Overton low D and never will part of it! I haven’t heard a whistle coming near as far as sound is concerned. It’s also very smoothly and solidly made. It’s perfection!
HI Tetra,
In your price-range there are lots of good low d whistles to look at. Some might be a bit of a stretch for your budget, some quite easy. Please make sure to try a few out - I would recommend these:
SYN
Overton
Chieftain/Kerry
Burke
Alba
Rayburn
Reviol
Howard
There are more, but I haven’t tried them. Don’t totally discount the Susatos and Dixons - these both are great value, and every now and then you can encounter a bamboo jobby that cooks!
My standard anti-WhOA formula is to get a tunable first-up - saves a bit down the track.
I cannot stress enough - it is well worth your effort to get to your local sessions and/or whistle stockist and hear/try a few out! Your research here will put you in good stead regardless - at least you’ll know what your looking at.
I play a Copeland Low D myself. One thing you should know is that the big fellas have quite a bit of difference in how they sound (much like the little ones) ranging from nearly flute-perfect (Copeland) to Cosmic Drainpipe (Overton). No one sound is better than another really, it’s all a matter of what you are trying to express (and why people own multiple Low Ds).
Don’t forget that David Obrien is making Low D’s now. They sound pretty darn snazzy and are, as all David’s works, very affordable.
I’m pretty happy with my Chieftain OS made back in the last century. I don’t think that I’l ever need another low whistle in D.
I am no expert, but I can say that my dixon low D is great! It may be cheap and cheerful, but it will free up monies for whistles in other keys.
MK whistles can be had for about $280… at least they could have in the past.
I would have to go with the Viper for my next low whistle purchase.
I currently own low Ds made by Copeland, MK, and Susato. My susato was a bit squeeky until I did the guitar pick tweak on the blade. I am going to send my Copeland back to the factory to have them adjust the intonation. (mine is a pre serial number model and they have since improved the soundhole placement) The MK though is quite a good whistle.
Your best option is to try them out before buying. Low whistles tend to vary more from maker to maker than high whistles. Many more differences in sound character and playing characteristics than in high whistles.
Good luck!
MKs are currently going for about $300.00 US even. I’m on the waiting list for one with Misha, who says it’s about a 6-8 month wait at this point, although thats from my place in line.
It’s very hard to try out whistles before you buy these days. (especially with wait times like above!) As per a previous post of mine, I would recommend going to Phil Hardys Kerry website and check out some of his low whistle reviews in his movies section:
http://www.kerrywhistles.com/dl.php?group=19
His MK review is what made me decide to order one.
I currently own a Kerry low D, a Dixon abs low D, just bought a Ralph Cook PVC low D (no longer in production, but can be found used) and have an MK on order. But my main low D is currently a Chieftain OS, and I’ve yet to find a low D that I like better (the MK may change that I’m sure). I’ve tried an Overton low D, but actually preffered my chieftain OS. That said, I also tried a Chieftain NR, and preffered my OS as well. (You may want to check out the new chieftain v3, supposedly due out any day, not sure what the cost will be on those yet) I’m not particularly fond of the look of a Copeland, and the recordings I’ve heard of them haven’t impressed me more than any other whistle. I am trying to reserve complete judgement before I actually get a chance to play one, but it’s hard, especially with the price tag. I am considering a Burke composite for my next low D.
No kidding! Wow lucky me! I was cleaning out some boxes this past weekend and stumbled across the receipt from my MK purchase… $279.00 including tax. I think the list on it was $260. That wasn’t so long ago… maybe a year - 14 months.
I got one with a green head and a silver (polished aluminum) body. It is a super whistle. I can understand why the list is this long now. It is well worth the extra cost and the added wait.
If he made other keys, I would get them too. Maybe that’s what he is tied up with. Tooling his shop to handle the extra keys?
Personally, I’m fond of my Howard. I actually sold my Overton when I got it! It’s got a more traditional, down-to-earth sound and you can get one for about $90. Overtons are fabulous though…very rich and ethereal in tone…and well worth the money…it just didn’t fit in with my needs.