Hi all, I just bought a Walton’s Mellow whistle D, and Im in love. Previously I have been using my Feadog, and have always thought that at times some notes, inparticular the second octave notes, tend to sound very shrill and piercing. I assumed that all tin whistles sound like this!! Well, Im going to put the Feadog away for good now, the tone is far superior with my Walton’s Mellow.
I would be very interested in finding out whether any other whistlers out there have come across firstly this whistle (Waltons)???, and secondary what other whistles are out there that have the same or similar quality to this whistle??? Are there many other “mellow” whistles on the market???
It cost me $9 Aussie dollars (~ $5 US), what a buy!!
See ya
Andy
There was quite a discussion about the Waltons Mellow D a couple of weeks ago - you can find it on page 2 of this message board.
Most came out in favour, though some thought that the holes are misplaced & out of tune, requiring filing & messing about to get it in tune.
My tuppence came out in favour, and mine are certainly less temperamental than Feadogs and Generations in my collection. I got one Nickel & one Brass because they are reasonably easy to get hold of in London. The average high street music store will probably only stock Generations, but Hobgoblin carry a large range, & have them available on-line. Waltons also do a normal bore whistle, but I don’t have one for comparison.
I guess like all cheaper whistles, the quality can vary, and maybe you got a really good one. Now don’t put it in your back pocket & sit on it!
Waltons are OK as far as cheap whistles go (certainly better than any Feadogs I have tried), but nothing more than that. I should also note that I have never owned or tried a Waltons whistle (whether mellow, LBW, or other kind) where the bell note was in tune, it being too sharp on all the whistles I have tried…
I agree that the Walton(s) are good, inexpensive whistles. As recently discussed in this forum, The Waltons improve with the mouthpiece tweak (filling the fipple cavity with Sticky Tack or Fun Tak (made by DAP & cheaper than the former)
This tweak “tightens” up the responsiveness and requires less air from the player!
Mike R. has also added that the removal of the whistle’s finish with Acetone or similar product will allow your fingers to give a more efficient seal to each of the six holes.