Last week end I visited the Wimborne Folk Festival. Not in need of any new whistles I entered the Hobgoblin trade stand. They had an impressive display of whistles, and an enviable selection of low whistles, which I was freely invited to try. This was fateful. I was literally blown away by the quality and ‘playability’ of the Howard low D I picked up. Thirty minutes later I walked away £120 poorer, but musically so much richer. I did not need another low whistle, but on a personal basis, the Howard was the most pleasurable whistle I have ever played. I can hardly put the blessed pipe down. Thanks also to Hobgoblin, it was a paradise to have so many whistles in one place at the same time, and to have free licence to try them all without obligation !
It’s great that you’ve had a really happy experience to share!
Have you ever tried a Copeland Low D whistle? This is the one I had. After I got rid of it, I had a Howard Low D.
It didn’t have any magic in it for me. The insides of the whistle was rusted - yes rusted! when I bought it from a local Irish shop. I got rid of it quickly. I don’t think the rust added anything special to the sound of it, and I really didn’t miss it. You paid a lot for yours too. They were selling new for 80 pounds new, even up to about 2 years ago. Still, it’s possible yours is one that’s magic and I had a lemon.
I’d have loved to be there trying all the whistles with my antiseptic alcohol wipes 
I had a howard low D once, never again, we use the mouthpiece for feeding milk to young animals.
wiz
Wizzy - that’s rather mean. The Howard Low D can be a great introduction at a cheap cost for those looking at a low D whistle without a huge financial outlay.
Since I started off with a Copeland low D, it is probably unfair to compare any other low D whistle to this - the Copeland is much more expensive, and also pretty hard to come by, unless it’s a 15year+ old antique.
The Howards are in the same league as the Chieftain and other low Ds of the same cost. There are some great advantages to a detachable fipple. Breastfeeding with one is a rather novel one, but it does mean that the parts are at least replaceable .
Well, IMO Chieftain is head and shoulders above Howard.. The ones i have played myself i’d rate them:
Overton > Hammy Hamilton > Cillian O’Briain > Chieftain > Howard
In any case there’s no need to rain on someone’s parade. Fair play to the man if he likes the Howard!
The Hobgoblin shops are great for giving us the chance to try out a reasonable range of whistles - how else can one make a proper decision? Problem is, a lot of people try instruments out there and then buy them cheaper online, which could lead to the demise of the shops altogether…
I’ve tried low Ds in Chieftain, Kerry, Dixon, Howard and Susato flavour in our local Hobgoblin; found the Howard really neutral: it just didn’t make me FEEL anything. Loathe the Chieftain!
But now I’m after an Alba low D, having acquired second-hand Albas in low A and low G - my new favourites.
Anyanka - Are you after a Alba Vibe Low D or Standard.. I have a standard one that I might be willing to part with, maybe a trade for something?
I might be interested - what’s the difference between Vibe and Standard?
I’ll send you a PM so we don’t clog up this thread.
Clive, the point of different makers making whistles (besides acquiring funds) is that they, and others, like a certain kind of sound. So it’s okay for some to love a particular sound by a certain maker and others to hate it. Congratulations on your new “reach for” low D! Enjoy it forever!
Just to round out the herd, don’t forget the Burke Viper Low D which is a very fine instrument.
Philo