A recent change forces me out of the shadows where lurkers dwell and onto the stage, with a plea for advice. As a brief introduction, I’ve been following the forum for about a year and am grateful for the wealth of information contained herein. It’s been comforting to find my interest in some unconventional topics shared by other members, thanks to whom I’ve found answers to many questions that haunted me for a long time. Thanks a lot!
As has happened to others, Bb piqued my interest in lower keys, and some months ago I researched makers looking for a low (alto) G. Having made my choice, I didn’t rush to place my order, thinking I’d better devote some more time to work on my breath, embouchure and finger coordination before taking the step. Unfortunately, it appears I’ve bidden my time too long and now the model I was after has been discontinued. I’ve exhausted my repertoire of operators searching this site, and checked again makers’ sites without success. Hence, my plea.
I’m looking for a low (alto) G, with delrin head and brass body. Subjective as timbre characterizations have to be, I’ll risk venturing warm and sweet (though not “synth” pure) as my preference for this whistle. My volume needs are quite moderate, with an eye to blending with rather than cutting through other instruments, if any are present.
I’m open to alternative materials below the window, but am not keen on metal in my mouth, nor on PVC anywhere (no disrespect or challenge intended to makers and players favoring those materials, just a matter of personal preference). The obvious choice for delrin & brass seems to be above my volume needs, and the rest of makers I’ve checked apparently don’t do delrin and low Gs (plenty do OR, but not AND). I hope there are others of whom I’m unaware, and that at least one makes the instrument I’m after.
Reyburn, of course, is the “obvious choice” I mentioned in my OP, so obvious that I realize I failed to refer to him by name. Still, I’m afraid his whistles are probably too loud for my needs (moderate meaning my topmost tolerance, rather than my minimum requirements).
I’m a bit puzzled by the whitecap Bb suggestion, though I appreciate it. I’m happy with my current Bb and, though open to trying other models, at present am not actively looking for one. If I considered whitecaps an option, I’d certainly order a full Low G set from Mr. Hoover.
Finally, wonderfully engineered instruments as surely they are, I’m confident Burkes suit many accomplished players, but my preferences lie elsewhere.
As said, even though I’m unable to follow the options suggested, I’m thankful for your time and look forward to further recommendations.
Or Mr. Reyburn to make more narrow bores, Mr. Bartlett to make Gs, or Mr. Hoover to resume his Blacktops…
Not a bad idea. I’ll put my PR people to work on that. Not that I doubt their success, you understand, but just to stay on the safe side, I wouldn’t mind considering other options…
I was thinking and I would like to suggest a Dixon brass trad whistle or a Dixon thick walled brass whistle. I think the fipple maybe delrin. I own the thick-walled brass whistle. I really love it. It has a fairly sweet sound, slightly chiffy, and moderately loud. Its heavy due to the thick walled brass tube. I think for the price it is a good to great whistle. Very well made and pretty easy to play. Good luck.
Yes, I wouldn’t overlook the Susato. The M-bore whistles are quite robust, with good volume, response, flexibility of tone, intonation, and tunability. ABS plastic is light and comfortable. Modestly priced, and additional tone bodies are available at half the cost. And Susato have a good dealership network in Spain, so it may be possible to try before you buy.
The key of G is fine, but the keys of F and A are more commonly preferred among ITM players.
To me, choosing a whistle for its material (metal, plastic, etc.) or its price should be as unimportant as choosing a book by its cover or price. Instruments may require some accommodation and perhaps compromise on the part of the player. And in practice, any predictable correlation between material and tone is tenuous at best. Ultimately it’s what the whistle can do in your hands, with eyes closed, that matters. And there are a number of low whistles that can offer a satisfying playing and listening experience.
Thanks for all the replies. As noted, the Dixon mentioned is in the high keys and in ABS, not Delrin. So are Susatos, which despite all their merits, I’m inclined to believe have a timbre different from what I’m looking for, and probably are too loud, even with MTGuru’s O-ring tweak. Speaking of whom…
Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I didn’t mean to imply a link between the sound I’m looking for and the materials, but at all costs I wanted to avoid entering a debate regarding components, and as a result I realize I may have been too cryptic, or plainly worded my description poorly. Let’s just say that my disinterest in metal in my mouth, and in PVC and ABS anywhere, are not sound-related, and I beg all parties to leave it at that. I assumed this left only delrin and wood as choices for the head, and believing myself not yet ready for wood (unless somebody out there is making cast-bore whistles, a la Reviol), I specified delrin. If there are additional options I haven’t though of, I’d very much like to hear about them.
As to the body, indeed material may be less relevant than design, but even so in this very forum I’ve seen brass generally characterized as warmer than nickel or aluminium, therefore my stating a preference for brass, though as said, I welcome alternatives.
I understand A suits ITM better than G (though F came as a surprise, as I was under the impression that this wasn’t the case at all), but that is not a concern, since much as I like listening to ITM, my current playing preferences lie elsewhere (I see I failed to mention that, too, my bad).
So, is there hope for me? (or for the whistle, I’ll freely acknowledge to being hopelessly picky, myself )
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