I would like to buy two Impempe whistles (Bb and high D). Could anyone compare them to the chieftain Bb and high D as far as volume, responsiveness, sound (I like a pure sounding whistle) and clogging are concerned? Many thanks!
I have an Impempe Bb, and I like it a lot. Mine is a rather quiet whistle, and on the pure side. Great for playing at home, but maybe not loud enough for a big session. It does clog a bit when cold, as any aluminum whistle will, but it’s not a problem.
I also had a chance to try the Impempe high D when it was out on tour last year, and liked it, too. I’d rate it as medium volume, and fairly pure. Ian does great work.
I haven’t played Chieftains, but my impression from reading posts over the years has been that they are a louder, more strident whistle.
Since I own and have quite a lot of experience with both I’ll offer my BFO (Big Fat Opinion). They’re both aluminum and both well designed and made. Both are very responsive. That’s where the similarities end.
They look nothing alike. Some say Chieftains clog easier. I’ve not experienced that but that’s not generally a problem for me anyway. Chieftains are challenging to play. They want to be pushed, particularly so in the upper ranges. They have really big bodies and really big holes. They are loud. All great traits if that’s your style. Impempe D whistles are louder than many but not nearly so as Chieftains. Impempe whistles have more of a medium sized body. Not narrow like Generations or Burke Narrow Bore. The holes are a medium size and are comfortably spaced.
While both makers are careful with tuning, you’re going to have to push the Chieftain to keep it from being flat. Both will need to be warmed up before playing in tune. The Chieftain will be more traditional sounding than the Impempe but that difference is not large. The Impempe will be more pure sounding.
The difference between the D and Bb Chieftain is not significant in terms of playability, sound or breath requirements. One is just larger than the other. The Impempe is another story. I find the Bb Impempe to be one of the finest whistles I own for practicing and playing solo because it is quiet and the breath requirements to play it in tune through two octaves are amazingly well balanced. It is just a lovely instrument. It wouldn’t hold up in a session or if playing unamplified with other musicians though.
I like them both. The D Chieftain is a bear for me to play. The Bb is more manageable. I can’t practice with them at home or play along with less than three or four other musicians because they’re so loud they drown everyone else out. But in a big session or outdoors with larger groups of musicians, they’re great. Both Impempe whistles are more my style because I play solo or with small groups of friends.
Frankly, when I play with smaller groups or at sessions, I don’t take either of these. But I’m trying to answer the questions you asked.
I always encourage others to acquire as many different whistles as possible since the personal characteristics of both makers and players are the primary factor here. And there is no quality instrument which requires less investment than whistles. Of the finest handmade high whistles, only a very rare few will cost more than $350. You can’t buy even a really basic guitar, fiddle, flute, or horn for that price. And there are some really really nice whistles for $30 - 125 and some fabulous ones for less than $250.
Good luck with your choice and let us know what you decide.
ecohawk
Thanks for your opinions!
@exohawk:
You are absolutely right. I bought a (second hand) German grand piano last year; even the very best whistles are a bargain compared to that.
What I am looking for right now are a high D and a Bb in aluminium, brass or wood that would not cost more than 125$ (I actually prefer wooden whistles - I have an Ormiston high D myself; but I am afraid that, maybe apart from the Weston, wooden whistles would exceed the budget). They wouldn’t need to be tunable. I would use these whistles to take on longer trips where I wouldn’t want to take more expensive whistles. I would use them to play solo, or accompanied by guitar, sometimes for an audience of a few dozen people and usually without mike.
Do you see a better Bb whiste than the Impempe (pure tone, at least the volume of Impempe, at least the same responsiveness, reliable tuning) for under 125$? And what about a high D whistle? For the high D whistle I was also considering the Weston, but I have the impression that it is a bit too chiffy for me (I prefer the sound of a Rose to that of an Abell)
thanks!
you may want to consider a Parks Bb (very pure) or Freeman Bb, both of which are under $65 i think. you could also get a used Burke Bb for just a little more than that ($140-170 range), and that has a very nice pure sound.
I’ll agree completely with dspmusik about the Parks and Freeman. I learned a long time ago not to judge things, particularly whistles, as “better” since so much of this is about purpose and personal preference. I won’t say they’re better than the Impempe but they are really nice whistles. The Freeman is a classic favorite that you can find some really great musicians playing on videos so it’s hard to dispute their quality. I prefer the nickel over brass but YMMV. I’ve had the Parks for a few months now and have been carrying it around on weekends. It’s louder than any of the rest we’ve been discussing, excepting the Chieftain, but also has a really nice feel to it.
With respect to wooden whistles, I don’t own any in Bb so I won’t comment. Of the few wooden D’s I’ve owned, none would be considered pure by me. Tyrone Head’s whistles fit your price range, although I wouldn’t consider them pure sounding. Paul Busman’s whistles are among the best but won’t fit your price range. Tommy Dion’s non-tunables are nice whistles, would fit your price range and the one’s I’ve owned sound more traditional but he might tweak one to "purify’ it for you if you ask.
You’ll have to decide. I don’t think you’ll go wrong with any of these. If you want a ranking in terms of pure tone, in my humble opinion, with the purest at the top:
Parks
Impempe
Freeman
Busman
Dion
Head
Chieftain
Good luck,
Michael