Hot damn, that’s a nice whistle! I tested it with my tuner, and each hole is spot-on. Also, the 2nd octave D sounds exactly the same whether my top finger is up or down. I’ve never seen a whistle that could do that. I put my order in on Friday and got it Monday; what more can you ask for? It feels weird to own a top-o-the-line instrument. I’ve always been sort of cheap with regard to musical instruments; this in uncharted territory for me.
If the aluminum is as nice as the brass, you’re going to grow to love it more the more you play it. I got mine for my birthday last June, and it’s a wonderful whistle.
Redwolf
I think both the O’Riordan/Abell/Grinter crowd and the Generation/Feadog/Oak crowd would doubt that the Burkes are “top of the line.” But who cares? Main thing is you like the whistle and you play it a lot. 
Hey Jeff, compadre! I ordered your whistles brother, the DBSBT in brass (high d) and got it on Monday, after ordering the prior Thursday night (I think). Michael sent it out before even running my credit card, what a guy. Great service, and AWESOME whistle. I think the price point is amazing for the finish and sound quality, but then again, I don’t need to tell you that 
matt
I’ve had a DASBT since last summer. It’s been my everyday whistle since it arrived. One of the things I enjoy most about it is that when i miss a note - leaks, incorrect breath etc. - the mistakes sound musical rather than as hisses or squeaks. I suppose this might encourage sloppy playing. I’m curious if other higher end (others can debate top of the line) whistles do this as well.
Enjoy.
My black tip D brass is, as are all other Burkes I’ve played, particularly forgiving; however, I don’t think this nurtures “sloppy” playing, rather just better playing and practice and confidence that transfers to other whistles as well. Of course, you still have to adapt to idiocyncracies of other whistles, but I don’t find that much of a problem. The problem is that I enjoy playing the Burke so much, I don’t often reach for other whistles, but for a Sindt C. This has gone way beyond my usual short-term whistle affairs (just whistles dear). I’ve been locked into this Burke thing for about 6 months now and been Sindting as well for the past month.
As far as “top of the line.” allow me to clear up this Bloomin misconception. Top of the line first off refers to best of a single maker’s works; the term I believe should have been “high end” whistle. And as Rhett Butler said, frankly my dear, I don’t give a d–m! Whether Burke pops his out of a cookie cutter in 10 seconds or sweats over one whistle for a full day? If his end product and materials result in a consistently fun to play, responsive, wonderful sounding in tune whistle that is also durable and attractive, what’s the beef?
Also this thing about “they all sound the same” - well that in this case is a good thing. Once you have the sound and playability parameters that you want what does it matter that all the whistles give you that?
The price is also right as it represents good value.
I’m not rushing to sell my O’Riordans, Abells and Copelands, but have no problem noting Burke and Sindt as high-enders among the best.
Philo
I agree with Philo, I have two Burkes and they are wonderful, dependable whistles.
As to where they fall in the “heirarchy of whistles,” I guess you can put me in the “who cares?” category. They are just great whistles, and that’s all I really need to know about them.
Burkes are the only whistles I currently play in session.
–James
Guess I’m a member of Bloomfield’s “O’Riordan/Abell/Grinter crowd”. For me, it’s not a matter “Burke is great, but I like my O’Riordan better”. I’d rather play my O’Riordans, Water Weasels, Susatos, and even my (improved) Generation than any Burke I’ve ever tried.
But to each their own. Different people have different styles of playing, and so like different whistles. And if nothing else, the legions of Burke fans out there are probably helping to keep the prices of good whistles down…
Well, I’m in the Generation/Feadog/Humphrey/Overton crowd, and Burkes don’t do it for me either. But then, it’s probably my problem.
I can’t imagine a whistle being nicer than my Humphrey NB D/Eb. There may be some that are as good but I don’t think they could be better. I have never played a Burke but I would have to do that before I would buy one. There are several whistles that people have praised here and elsewhere that when I have played them I just didn’t like them. It wasn’t that they were bad they just weren’t for me, a matter of personal preference. Put me in the Alba, Humphrey, Generation, Feadog grouping.
Notice that there are no conical whistles in that group. Whistles to be added are Alba low D and Sweetheart Pro.
Ron
I had a situation the other day. I play in a large contemporary worship band so this should probably be taken with a grain of salt. Any way, it was very loud. I hate to say it (because I love my Overtons and Humphreys) but the only whistles in my arsenal that were loud enough for the set were my Burkes (my low F and low D and alto Bb). None of the other musicians carred who the maker was. They were all just whistle to them and all they knew is that the whistle were not audible. The Burkes seemed to get the vote from the band. I love recording with the Overtons and Humphreys but they just were not getting the volume that was needed. My guess is that it had to do with how chiffy the Overtons are. The slightly purer tone of the Burkes probably sound a little more audible into the mike.
For what it is worth, I love the sounds produced by all types of whistles and do not consider myself appart of any fan club except for the whistle fan club.
P3
Hi All! I am a relative newbie - I have been playing for about a year now. This is my first post, but I wanted to jump in and say that my husband bought a Burke DBSBT for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I absolutely LOVE it! I only have four whistles, but this one was immediately my favorite. It is beautiful, and plays like a dream. My cheaper whistles don’t compare.
IrishLass
Oh! Oh! I’m so jealous! I want to play in a worship band, too! With all the teenies screaming and tearing their hair and waving their bras and kissing the ground I walk on, and putting up Bloomfield pictures in their bedrooms and worshipping me.
Oh Bloomer :0
P3…what kind of church did you say you go to?
Picardy third, have you ever checked out the Praise whister’s site?
http://www.praisewhistlers.com/
You won’t be ridiculed for your faith over there.
Haha! Yeah, the ground can be pretty slick after a mob of teens have just finished kissing the path in front of me. You must watch your step in those situations! Different kind of worship band. Not quite American Idol.
Em, it is simply non-denomination Bible. If you are familiar with the band Truth, one of the leaders of the band in the 90’s is the worship leader. It tends to be on the gospel/contemporary side of things but it is great experience. Teaches me styles I would have never dreamed of playing. We do a lot of Brooklyn Tab. stuff (which rarely has whistle).
Anyway, like I’ve said before, the trad. Irish scene is practically zero down here in Fort Lauderdale. I think because of the lack whistlers down here, I get a few non-trad. gigs and recording sessions. Now if Bloom was down here, I’d probably never get a call!
Praisewhistler sounds nice, but when it comes to whistle, I like it to be traditional/modern traditional (it doesn’t always work out that way). I was in no way trying to advertise religion or style. I know that this site focuses mainly on traditional, which is what I try to focus on when I’m here. I was just trying to interject an experience that I had with some Burkes the other day.
By the way, Bloom, this is in no way a criticism, but a few years ago, I thought you had recommended Burkes to me. Maybe it wasn’t a recommendation at all. You mentioned a high end maker to go with, then progress to Burke, then progress to another maker (I think we can all guess who the final maker was in the progression was!) I’m just curious, did you ever like Burkes or has something changed? I was happy for the advice (as was I for the advice on Overtons too-great recording whistles!)
p3
Hi IrishLass, and welcome .
Every new whistle I get is my favourite for a few weeks, then I drift back to old favourites! What are the others you have?
Blackhawk: I am not ridiculing his faith, or anyone’s. Lighten up.
Well, first off I’m glad that you aren’t as humorless as blackhawk.
I don’t recall recommending Burkes. But with almost 5,000 posts and the side-effects from Viagra, I can’t be sure that I remember everything I’ve ever posted.
Generally though I have been noticeably not recommending the Burkes. I know many people like them, and so much is preference and style that I try to be a bit careful. Most of the time when they come up I don’t say anything. I have said repeatedly that I find Burkes bland and uninteresting and that they feel like they are subtly holding you back when you play. I tried PhilO’s black-tip brass narrow bore (I think) a little while ago and that was nicer than other Burke’s I’ve tried. But it still felt a bit stolid. I also don’t care so much for the sound. My impression is that Burke’s lack expressive potential, that they are like an automatic vs. a manual: the automatic is “forgiving” but if you are going to do more than drive down to the mall, you’ll want the manual. I also feel that the Burkes are overpriced, since they are made in a machine shop and all that; I realize that this makes no economic sense at all and that a whistle is worth what people will pay for it, but when it comes to whistles sense and rationality go out the window for me.
Again: Just my opinion.
If I ever did recommend the Burkes, it was probably for their consistency and ease of play. (wracking my brain, trying to remember.)