My first is a Feodog high D. I like it, but I’d also like a change. Besides, my partner has gotten fond of the Feodog, too, so we clearly need (at least) 2 whistles 'round here.
I usually like a sweet, balanced sound in instruments, and I’d like something I can play quietly. I’m looking at the high end of the inexpensive instruments. I’ve been reading through the archives here and I believe I have this narrowed down to either a Dixon tuneable D or the Susato VSB D. I’m leaning toward the Dixon, because as far as I can tell from my reading here, you have to pry them out of people’s fingers once they’ve got 'em . What do you guys think? And if it’s a Dixon, which one – I see there are 2 relatively inexpensive tuneable Ds – the earlier model and a newer one with a brass tuning ring.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions before I order?
My Dixon is my favorite whistle (among about fifteen whistles in my small collection), but it’s not quiet. I don’t know of a low cost whistle that’s quiet. But if all you want is a good whistle, you can’t go wrong with a Dixon. As to tunable, etc, you’ll have a hard time finding a non-tunable one. They just aren’t common yet. Most internet companies are advertising them, but Dixon isn’t keeping the retailers supplied. Tunable ones aren’t expensive however.
I’d have to recommend the Dixon over the Susato VSB. The Susato isn’t as quiet as I’d hoped it would be, and mine’s got a slightly honky tone, except when sometimes the note drops completely, usually when running down over the octave break.
I suspect I have an early (prototype?) model, as the holes are clearly hand drilled, so maybe the full production model doesn’t have this problem, but I’ve never had another whistle where notes vanish into thin air, as it were.
I can cure the problem with carefully applied tonguing, but that would be changing my style to suit the whistle rather than selecting a whistle that suited my style. And it would still be honky.
It has improved my appreciation for the normal bore Susato though!
The Dixon BTS is lovely, the most expensive whistle in my collection, though I only take it out on special occasions, perhaps because it is my “top end” whistle. Normally I play a Generation, or one of my Feadog III fipples on an Oak, Walton or Feadog Nickel shaft.
TK, us whistlers are spoilt for choice, we get fantastic value for money compared with most other instruments - so you can’t go wrong whichever one you plump for.
How about a Hoover? I don’t have one but I’ve heard they are very sweet and lovely and very quiet. I think he is taking a break from making them right now but maybe you can find a used one somewhere. They’re not cheap but not anywhere near as expensive as the “high end” ones.
Thanks for the responses! I think my second whistle will be a Dixon and a Cooperman . Three is a lucky number, right? I surfed some and the Hoover does seem as if it would be a good choice for me – but difficult to get and a little expensive for me right now. I’ll keep my eyes open for a used one and, hopefully, by the time I see one I’ll be able to justify another whistle .
. What do you guys think? And if it’s a Dixon, which one – I see there are 2 relatively inexpensive tuneable Ds – the earlier model and a newer one with a brass tuning ring.