I have had a Joe Lynch low D for years - I have never known its maker (as I bought it from Pigotts shop and it has no branding on it) until just now when I found it on the web at:
http://www.joelynchmusic.com/trad/Whistles.html
I haven’t played many other low whistles but the few I have played have all been much weaker in tone than mine - I would be interested to hear opinons about how Joe Lynch’s compare to others such as Overtons etc. Do I have a gem or a mediocre instrument???
B.
No replies??? Can I add that ‘Chieftan’ is that actual brand name, Joe Lynch is the maker.
I don’t know why one of the “regulars” hasn’t chimed in here (yes, I suppose that makes me “irregular”, but I don’t discuss that in public), but I think you may be half-right.
Chieftain may well be the make of whistle, and that’s the only Low D I see on the site you posted, but they are made by Phil Hardy of Kerry Whistles. Here’s the link: http://www.kerrywhistles.com/products.php
I’ve never played one, but everything I’ve read/seen/heard says they’re great. So it sounds like you’ve got a “gem” and definitely not a mediocre whistle.
More importantly, does it do what you want it to? You want to keep it or sell it? If you want to sell it, I take back what I said about it being a “gem”. In that case, it’s a real dog, and I’d be willing to do you a tremendous favor by relieving you of this burden. You won’t even have to pay me! 
So I hope that helps. Poke around a while at Kerry Whistles. LOTS of good info and resources there. Be sure to check out the “Movies” page (if you have a fast connection). Some of the performances there are mind-boggling.
The Chieftain on the Joe Lynch website was made by Phil Hardy. His website is Kerrywhistles.com. I just got one of his low D whistles and I am really enjoying it- good volume across the octaves and a pleasing tone. I find the hole sizes and spacings quite workable.
Chieftain whistles are indeed made by Phil Hardy..
He makes a few models of low whistle: The Chieftain, the Kerry, the Kerry Pro and the Songbird low D.
I’ve only played the Chieftaind the Songbird. I like them both for different reasons. I have some reviews of both up on my web site.. http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/reviews.asp
The Kerry (not Kerry Pro) line is the low-cost model he makes, and I’ve seen it get mixed reviews. His Chieftain line has some real zealous followers, and in general gets good reviews. I haven’t seen much about the Kerry Pro.
Chieftain whistles are marketed and sold (both wholesale and retail) by Phil Hardy. They were his idea: a mass-produceable version of the Overton, but Phil does not claim to make them himself. They are factory-made. Joe Lynch is one seller of many.
Yes,the Chieftains are manufactured but EVERY SINGLE ONE is hand finished, tested and packed by myself.Just so yer know.
Joe Lynch Music in Dublin buy from our Irish distributor and sell them as Chieftains not Joe Lynch whistles .I know Joe personally and he would never knowingly sell our whistles under his name.If this IS the situation,I’m sure it must be a mistake.
Just to add,the Chieftain IS NOT a manufactured Overton,it is a CHIEFTAIN,the design was entirely my idea and if you look at them, the only similarity is they are both made of alloy tube.Funny that, is it not?
For years people have been harping on about Chieftains being Overtons,is a Sindt a Burke ..no,they are just whistles.
Phil.
This is an old wive’s tale.
The Chieftain is not a version of an Overton. I own both and they are both excellent but are completely different instruments in fingering and breath requirements and the sound produced.
They are both cylindrical and long, and have holes in them, however.
Phil was licensed to make Overtons at the time he came up with the idea for (mass-produceable) Chieftains. Various events led to a dissolution of the business partnership. Chieftains are similar to Overtons in more ways than the material, though the mouthpiece is easier to produce. For this reason (as well as other reasons), they should be priced lower than Overtons. It is good to know that Phil isn’t calling Chieftains “Overtons” anymore. For several years after the split, stores all over the world thought they were buying Overtons (from Phil) when they were actually buying Chieftains.
I have edited for accuracy.
According to Dale Wisely http://web.archive.org/web/19990921225747/http://www.chiffandfipple.com/whatamess.html what you are talking about allegedly occurred at least some 7+ years ago…back in the 90s.
A long time to hold a grudge, or let a grudge hold you.
I started buying Phil Hardy’s whistles in 2001. I bought an Overton in 2003.
They are not the same whistle.
Anyone that thinks they are the same either has no idea what they are talking about or or is deliberately “misleading” people.
Exactly. Jessie provided information to someone who asked. This has been discussed ad nauseum and there’s no reason to go through it all again.
Dale
Exactly. Smoot merely clarified the misunderstanding that the Chieftain is a “version of”/“similar to” the Overton.
It is worth going over again because there is a continued effort to misinform whistle-players on this point.
It was something I had to find out the expensive way. Hate to see that happen to someone else.
Overtons are flattened on three sides of the mouthpiece and Chieftains are flattened on only one (the top) side. That was the difference (between Overtons and Chieftains) when Chieftains came out. Over time, Overtons have gone through changes in hole and bore dimensions. Phil Hardy may be the beneficiary (in terms of being respected by some people) of those changes (and resulting differences), but he is not responsible for them and does not deserve the credit.
If you (Hardy’s supporters) don’t want the truth, why do you keep asking for it?
Even if I thought Chieftains were the best-playing whistles on the planet (which I do not), I would not play or own them. I CARE about right and wrong.
Over and out.
The truth that you are providing underscores my point.
Over time, Overtons AND Chieftains (since you dont play or own them you probably werent aware) have undergone changes which is why they dont play or sound anything alike, certainly not the models over the last 4 years.
I appreciate you taking the time to point the difference out.