Let me first say, having taken up the whistle just a few months ago, it is wonderful to find so much information and discussion about whistles!
As to actual whistles- I bought the one basic model available in my local acoustic/traditional instrument store (a Dixon Trad D). This proved to be something of a pain for a novice to get clean low notes on. An experienced whistler tried it and confirmed that it is a particularly challenging whistle.
So I figured I would look for a new whistle online. And found a baffling assortment of whistles out there. And the problem is- how can I actually try some out before buying? I could afford to buy an assortment of inexpensive whistles, I suppose, but then again, it seems like it would be better to just figure out what I liked and buy that, even if it is a more expensive whistle. In this context, coming from the world of guitars, $250 for a handmade musical instrument doesn’t sound like much. Except if I turn out not to like the thing.
I found a rather amazing video library of Tony Hinnigan trying out a diversity of D whistles:
Which occupied a long evening when my wife was out, and gave me an idea of what the whistles sound like when played by a professional. But not quite the same thing as trying an instrument.
Maybe I’m spoiled from coming from the guitar world where I was able to try literally hundreds before buying one. But I’d sure like to try whistles before buying. Are there any stores with dozens of makes on display? Online stores that allow returns? How do folks go about actually experiencing whistles before buying, other than tracking down folks who own them and are willing?
The problem will be greater or lesser depending on where you are and the laws regarding wind instruments. In some areas whistles (and harmonicas and flutes, and recorders, and etc, etc…), are buy before you try items. Here in NJ, for instance, the best you can hope for when buying a harmonica is to have it tested on a set of bellows to show that all the reeds are working. No touch, no play, no spit, no germs. Trying out a $400 whislte is even worse. You don’t even want to know about a $4,000 trombone!
If you can attend an Irish festival where Michael Burke has a booth, you can try any of his whistles. The good news is that you’re getting to try Burke whistles. The bad news is there are only Burke whistles to try.
Thanks for the welcome. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I’m not sure what styles I’m aiming at. A tin whistle showed up in my house (someone gave it as a gift to my then 5-year old son) and I’ve taken to it. Started out going through my fake books (Cole Porter, Beatles tunes, BeeGees), but now that I’ve taken a few lessons and been taught to tongue it and a few ornaments, it seems like the traditional stuff is more suited to it. I have a copious four tune reportoire that I’m working on (Sheebeg Sheemore, Rakes of Mallow, Egan’s Polka and Jamie Allen). But really I just like playing the whistle!
It might be slow, but most makers (I’m tempted to say “all”) will allow you to return a mail order whistle if it doesn’t suit you. As you say there is a lot to read and listen to on the web. Narrow your selection based on what you find and then check to be sure the target maker(s) will do a complete refund. Then order one or more and return the one(s) you don’t like.
Hmm.. I wonder if a maker in NJ would be allowed to accept a mail order return, even if the national law gives you 30 days to return a mail-order item. Isn’t NJ where they still pump gas for you?
As far as I know, in the UK we have Distance Selling Directives protecting the buyers, which says amongst other things that a buyer may change her mind and return something bought via mailorder etc within seven days of having received the goods. The Distance Selling Regulations apply to commercial ebay sellers as well (see here), but not if you sell privately on ebay, or privately in any other way.
So if I buy a whistle from a UK shop, after it has arrived by mail I have seven days to change my mind. If I decide to return it in that time, I need to inform the seller and post it back. It does not need to arrive back at the seller within seven days, and I am entitled to a full refund. Obviously the goods bought need to be in the same condition. As far as I understand, musical instruments are not exempt from the Distant Selling Regulations.
Are there similar regulations/laws in the US, in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany etc?
(you got 30 days to return a mailorder item in the US you say)
The best inexpensive whistles I’ve tried are the Clarke Sweetones and Megs (got a small pile of others I didn’t like). I’ve given a couple of the Sweetones away and just got a Meg from our local music store (had to order it). All three have been easy to play in the low and high range. Try one of them for a little while then go back to your Dixon Trad. I just got a Dixon Trad D in Monday’s mail and found it’s nice sounding and easy to play.
Or you can do what I did and learn on one of these cheap junk ones, which a friend was selling at a rendezvous for $6. Anything would be easy to play after one of these.
Well, I don’t think the restriction applies to a private seller. I’m no lawyer (heck, I’m barely a whistle player! ), but I know that the shops here in NJ won’t allow you to try whistles or harmonicas, and the brasswinds are displayed without mouthpieces. You can bring your own trombone mouthpiece to the store or buy one there (which is not returnable). The mouthpiece that comes with the instrument is included in the final purchase, of course.
None of my area shops will buy or sell on consignment any harmonicas or other instruments that can’t have the mouthpiece replaced. The dealers that rent to school students supply new mouthpieces with every instrument, and there are strict rules of sanitation.
I’ve also noticed a couple of Internet dealers who exclude hamonicas in their return policy. Another ‘you try it, you buy it’ scenario.
What that actually means for your situation I’m not sure. But best of luck anyway.
Oh, and Carey, yes, NJ is the place where they still pump gas for you. It’s a safety regulation. Funny thing though, with all our rules you’d think NJ was a safer place to live.
I feel so comforted knowing our state legislatures are out there protecting us from used musical instruments. I think they should outlaw shaking hands next, and ban doorknobs and mosquitoes while they’re at it. They’re all vectors of disease…
But if enough local laws prohibit this, I see a possible market niche for used wind-instrument cruises (no testing until we reach international waters, please), or perhaps a used instrument resort out in the Caribbean…
Anyhoo . . . I occasionally went to New Britain, PA to Bucks County Folk Music Shop http://www.bucksmusic.com. It’s a great little shop and they don’t mind customers trying the merchandise(at least they didn’t have objections when I was there five years ago or so). If anyone lives in the area, I’m sure they’ll enjoy taking a trip out there. They were the only ones who sold folk music instruments that I knew of.
There are a lot of whistles available for less than $100.
So if $250.00 doesn’t sound like much, then try as you please. What you don’t care for, re-sell on eBay. You won’t get all of your money back, but at least you aren’t out the full purchase price.
Unless you are buying a whistle from a reputable maker, you may try many before you settle on one. Along with this, I would also say that you could try a few by the same maker and find only one of the bunch that suits you.
I had two Dixon Trad D’s - one I liked, one I didn’t care for as much.
Most importantly, what I find is that a whistle takes a certain amount of “getting used to.” Some whistles don’t play well until warmed up - others seem to fade as they warm up. Some stay stable and consistent no matter what. Some seem to play “naturally” one day, and “not-so-much” on another. Of all of the whistles I own, the Copeland is the exception to all of this.
But the Copeland isn’t what I always want to play, either. I prefer the true “trad” sound of a Feadog or a Walton, or the “steely” sound of whatever Seamus Ennis played.
But just as with the guitar, the whistle won’t make you a better player. Just like the guitar, it’s about technique. The Dixon Trad is a good whistle in its own right, for what it is - and that isn’t a slight.
If anything, it’s the whistle I’d recommend to a beginner, because it achieves a more refined sound with less precise breath control.
Yes, bucks county folk music is a rather good shop. I’ve gotten a lot of whistles there. Bought all my Susatos and generations there. They have a Howard and a Kerry EZ Blow. A Sweetone Resonance whistle is the nicest/most expensive whistle they have there. No Overtons, Burkes, or MKs (haha, of course not)–much to my chagrin. Still, a good shop. A pretty decent variety of whistles and flutes to try out. They make good Bodhráns too.
), but I know that the shops here in NJ won’t allow you to try whistles or harmonicas, and the brasswinds are displayed without mouthpieces. You can bring your own trombone mouthpiece to the store or buy one there (which is not returnable). The mouthpiece that comes with the instrument is included in the final purchase, of course.
I think they should outlaw shaking hands next, and ban doorknobs and mosquitoes while they’re at it. They’re all vectors of disease… 
sniff