I know I'm beating a dead horse here...

Whistle
1

…but at least I’ll be doing it with a better whistle.

I’ve been playing for a while and have gone through an extraordinary amount of cheap whistles. I think I’ve lost, broken, or melted a dozen whistles. I’m left with a nickel Generation that seems to be indestructable. I know because the whistle is horribly out of tune, even with itself, and I’ve tried to break it. Too bad it’s so easy on breath that I almost have to use it for fast stuff. I also have a Dixon Low D pvc whistle.

I’m to the point where I want a better whistle. I know that everyone will say that it’s a matter of personal preference but I don’t live anywhere near anyplace to actually test any whistles. I hope I can just tell a bit about what I like and someone can suggest a whistle.

This is kind of what I’m thinking:
–My favorite whistle is probably an original Clarke but lots of faster music and even some slower stuff doesn’t sound good or is harder because of all the breaths I have to take. I love the breath requirements of my Generation. Maybe something that’s sweeter than the Generation but takes less breath than the Clarke.

–I want to spend about $150 US. I know that people like Copelands but I’d have to sell a kid or two to buy one.

–I don’t want to spend this much money on a plastic whistle. It’s a hang-up I have. I own (or did own) many plastic whistles and I like them, it’s just that I want metal for my first expensive whistle.

–It has to be fairly durable.

–It has to be an all-around whistle that is good for both airs and fast stuff.

–I guess I don’t care if it’s tunable as long as it is very in tune with itself and reasonalby in tune with other instruments so it doesn’t hurt my ears when I play along with a song on a CD to try and learn it.

–the Burke seems to be an easy answer. http://www.burkewhistles.com/product.php?productid=16141&cat=0&page=1
That song that plays automatically on this page is just one of the coolest that I’ve ever heard. There are so many different kinds of Burkes, though. Anyone think the whistle linked here would be the best for me?

–The Overton also seems good.http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/whistles/highend/overton/sopranod/sopranod.htm
However, I’ve read that these whistles can really vary whistle to whistle (not in quality but in sound and breath requirement) which makes me more nervous to buy one. The curve on the mouth of this whistle just seems like it would be comfortable and the whistle seems really durable.

There could be many others around this quality and price range. I just don’t know and really only have one shot at this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

2

Here’s what I have to say about whistles that I know. I was lucky to try out 40 different whistles at Colin Goldie’s place.
Overton is a whistle you can buy easily; only thing is you should buy it from the maker Colin Goldie. I don’t know about Bernard Overton whether he makes them still, or makes them the way you ask, but Colin does. Phone him or email him and ask him what you want in a whistle. He will make it for you. Thing about the Overton is: it has the most characteristic sound I know, and I love it. (listen to Brian Finnigan, whistler in Flook, he plays Overton)
Also look at the website of Ian Turnbull, South African whistlemaker. He makes the Impempe. I have 4 of his whistles. Quite cheap ($40,-) and known for the fact that it’s not loud when you play inside, but it has such a focused sound that it can be heard from a far distance. So it’s soft and loud at the same time you might say.
Succes with your quest for the right whistle!

3

http://burkewhistles.com/product.php?productid=16149&cat=254&page=1 i was going to recommend Burke before i read you wanted one. the narrow bore is great for breath and sweetness. good luck in finding one. i would recommend Humphrey, but hi heads are acetal. http://webpages.charter.net/raindog1970/ there is also the Kerry Songbird.

4

You can get a really good C or D Thornton whistle for under $100 or a C/D set for $115. They look and sound great. Good luck with your search.

http://www.thorntonwhistles.info/index.html

5

I have to put in a word for Burkes. They are notoriously in tune, and very forgivable–very easy to play. I have two, and they are my best. The brass ones have a more complex sound, the aluminum a brighter, purer sound. You can’t go wrong with 'em.

6

It’s about $15 more than your limit, but I would highly recommend the Hudson Winds by Peter Bonsteel.

Here is my previous review: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=45638&highlight=hudson

Good luck with your search.

Mike

7

http://kerrywhistles.com/movie.php?pageName=HudsonWind.wmv

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Get a Sindt. It’s worth the wait. It’s a little more focused than a Gen, has a bit more back pressure and requires a tad less air. $95 USD with a 6 month wait last I checked.

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I own a Brass Burke, DBSBT, and love it. I also am in possession of a Hudson. I love it as well… so much so that I’m going to have to figure out how I’m going to pay for it, since Judy is either going to want it or the purchase price back, and I don’t want to part with it. :laughing:

My all time favorite is my Water Weasel, but you will play heck finding one. The Burke and the Hudson are readily available, and comparable in price. The sound is different, the look, weight and feel are different, but they are equally easy to get used to and I highly recommend both.

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Right now my favorite whistles in no particular order: Colin Goldie Overton, Burke, O’Brien, Hoover, Syn.

I think you would enjoy any of these very much.

–James

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I’m also in favor of the Burkes. I have the DBSBT and I love it. The low notes are solid and the high notes are sweet, not shrill. The transition from first to second octave is smooth, and the volume is great, not too laud and not too soft. Check out Doc Jones web site: www.irishflutestore.com He has new and pre-owned whistles and flutes. Good luck.

Lyn

12

I’m a bit of a dissenter here, as I’ve not cared for the Overtons I’ve tried. Maybe I just had the bad luck to try bad ones, but the ones I’ve played had harsh high notes and quickly filled with “moisture”.
I’m a very recent convert to high-end whistles. I’ve played whistle, flute, and uilleann pipes for 30 years, and was faithful to my beloved Generations to the point where I actually made Generations in extra keys:
C#, B natural, and low A. My go-to high D whistle has always been a wonderful Feadog (somewhat modified) that is the sweetest whistle I’ve ever played. But a couple months ago I played a Burke narrow-bore high D aluminum, and I was hooked. It played exactly like a Generation, except better in every possible way. Sweet, easy high notes, full low notes, perfect intonation, and extremely even voicing. I now have Burkes in low D, G, A, C, and high D (session bore). They are all fantastic. The low D Burke (“pro viper”) is quite nimble enough for anything- I played reels at breakneck speed for nearly two hours at a session last week on it. But it is very expressive for airs.
In my quest for the best possible low D whistle I recently tried about a dozen different makes, and the Burke Pro Viper was clearly superior to all, except in the matter of ergonomics (it has a very big bore and for some reason my hands tire holding something that large).
My Burkes are all aluminum, but many people say that the brass Burkes are sweeter. So, if I were you I would certainly try a brass Burke narrow bore high D.

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So, you would for sure recommend the narrow bore over the session bore? What’s the difference in playing and sound between the two?

14

Here’s my advice,

Don’t waist 170 on a Burke narrow bore or a session…just forget it. (Sorry all you Burke fans!)

Put your order in for a Sindt and waite 6 months. It’s a nice trad whistle with a good amount of chiff. It is easy to play in the second octave like a narrow bore burke but with more charactor. The down side is the C nat is out of tune.

But in the mean time you can get a Hoover white or Black for 30-50 dollars. It’s a great whistle.

Order a Humphry narrow or regular bore. (sorry, his site is under construction right now!) and get it in a couple of weeks for under 100)

Or Get a Reyburn session or narrow bore for 110?

Ok, well go ahead and get a burke…they are easy to play and are in tune.

Cheers!

Nate

15

yes, i recommend that too. the tone is sweeter, and it is easier breath quantity.

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The only catch is that with my Burke brass narrow bore, you have to use oxx|xox for cross-fingered C-natural; oxx|ooo is very sharp.

On my aluminum session bore Burke, oxx|ooo is decently in tune.

Both are very sweet whistles with a very easy upper octave.

The main difference to my ear is that the tone of the narrow bore brass is a bit more focused and the bell note is a bit stronger than on the aluminum session bore.

Both are excellent whistles!

–James

17

I believe there is a Hudson Winds D whistle for sale on Doc Jone’s website - under $150. There is also a video of Tony Hinnigan playing a couple of Hudson Winds. I like all of the whistles others have mentioned. Kerry whistles also has some whistle reviews/sound files. Good luck. Judith
http://www.irishflutestore.com/newsite/
http://tonyhinnigan.com/moviedl.php?group=29#

18

Bigwig: I´d suggest an Overton over Burke - Burkes seem to me like cheap whistle made perfect - it´s got very good sound, it´s very responsive, everything´s good - on the other hand, Overton sounds to me like another class of whistles really. When I played Burke, it felt really good. When I played (and play) Overton, it´s…it feels like part of me. What I really dislike on Burkes is lack of backpressure.

Colin Goldie makes custom whistles, so it´s not a good idea to buy it from the shop. On the other hand, that means it will take some time to make it.

So - my choice would be an Overton, but Burke is definitely good too.

19

I also am new to the whistle and to this group. I have several cheapies too. Been there done that! There is no place close by me to go try out whistles.

I am absolutely hooked on the whistle. I am not sure how it happened, but I love it. I have even made two whistles that I very playable and my instructor was amazed that I could do it. Got the idea on here. Thanks guys! :wink:

I am very seriously looking at buying a Burke. My whistle instructor (yes I am taking whistle/fiddle lessons now) has a Snidt. She really likes it, but she stated that it plugs up to quick. It sounds beautiful and produces very clear true notes.

I bought a used Kerry Songbird and although it has a beautiful sound to it when I play it, it takes to much air for me. It may be just me, but I run out of air quickly with this whistle. So if anyone is looking for a Kerry Songbird in D, I will sell it.

I bought a Burke Low D Viper from Doc on here. My instructor was very pleased and commented that I had done my homework. I love the sound I get out of it. I just need to work on keeping the hole covered up on my ring finger lower hand. I am determined. :wink: This whistle sounds too good when I get it right to give up on.

I am going with Burke DBSBT. If it is as easy to get the true notes out of it and sound as good as the Viper, I want one! :thumbsup:

All that said, i wish you the best of luck and “Happy Tooting”

Good Luck,
Bonnie

20

On Overtons, I agree they are a different class of whistle and over budget for the OP. To me the Overton is just about perfect. Mine have been in tune with great intonation and capable of dark and reedy as well as sweet tones, it’s the players option. Plus, it had ample back pressure so I never had a problem overblowing. Try playing flute for an hour and then pick up a Burke. It’s like tip toeing through the tulips in terms of not over blowing because of non existant back pressure.

The one that got away was a Thin Weasel in blackwood that I sold to fund a flute. It had the dark and reedy tone nailed, was louder than my Overton; and that’s saying something, and had good back pressure.

So, I’m still looking. I have a Sindt on order (BTW as of two days ago they were $105 plus $8 for shipping and a four month wait). I have a Reyburn session wide bore ($110) due any day.

So if you know of a whistle that has a rock solid, loud bell note and doesn’t slip into the second octave too easily, has that dark reedy tone with an edge and has session volume, good back pressure and costs less than $400, let me know.

For the OP, I would suggest the Reyburn Hi D session or the Hudson Winds that Doc has for $139. Cheers, Cyril.