Kerry Pro Low D with extra Brass tube

Whistle
1

Who has an opinion of the Kerry Pro Low D with extra Brass tube and does anyone know where I might be able to find one?

Thanks,

Greg

2

Hi Greg,

Funny you should ask…and I hope to be able to say more about it in a week or so. Phil fixed me up with a brass tube for my Kerry Pro Low D just last week, and it’s on the way back to me now.

It should be a killer whistle with the brass tube, as it’s great in the aluminum body. It just seems to add some mellower bass tones to it, and that’s fine by me! If you haven’t already heard the two clips on Phil’s site, go to the Profiles section here:

http://www.kerrywhistles.com/movie.php?groupID=19#

There are two different movies for the Kerry Pro brass bodied Low D’s there that you can listen to. Granted, they have reverb added, but anything that sounds that good should also be good in person without the reverb, I do believe! I used to have a Chieftain Gold Low D (actually several over time) and it should sound similar to that, which was very nice, to my ears.

I’ll let you know once it arrives.

3

Mine just came back today from Phil Hardy, with the new brass body, and it couldn’t be better, for me! Rich, strong tone on the bottom, which I was hoping for, but also a beautiful singing tone in the second octave that I didn’t expect, but am well pleased having now!

Thanks much, Phil,…grand whistle!!!

Added, for Mike…no revue, but it plays well for me, & it has medium back pressure. You’re in the UK where they are made, and I believe they are stocked at Hobgoblin, and elsewhere-give one a try.

4

Sadly, I’ve never seen a thorough review done of the Kerry Pro. How does it play? And does, as I suspect, have very low backpressure?

5

Also I might add, the upper 2nd octave is easily accessable, not that much louder (but certainly not quiet, as is par for cylindrical whistles) to get there either. You’re on your own for the 3rd octave, as I have no desire to go there!

On the downside, no more brass tubes are available for making the custom Kerry Pro; mine was the last, according to Phil. However, Hobgoblin still lists a Chieftain Custom Low D, (probably the V3), with the extra brass tube in 3 stores, on showroom display. Most likely it will not sound the same, but will have a similar tonal difference from the aluminum tube, if you are so inclined.

Or, you may find one on the used market, either here on Chiff, Hobgoblin, or on thesession.org (mustard board) or maybe eBay. One worth searching for, from what I have heard and played.

But to each their own, and this one pleases my ears, as I though it might. An individual preference, no doubt.

6

Thanks, Barry. You’ve answered my questions. Sounds good. Unfortunately Hobgoblins would be a two day trek for me. I only get to try out whistles when they’re sent to me so I’ve had to do some buying and selling.

7

Sure, you’re welcome, Mike. But yeah, that’s the way it works for most of us; buying and trying. Besides, it’s the only real way of telling how you personally relate to it.

PS I don’t know if you have Phil Hardy’s CD Whistleworks, but my Kerry Pro sounds very much like that one, with a rich, characterful tone, even though that was recorded long ago. Seems that characteristics hang around for a while, in some whistles. If I recorded (which I don’t), and added some reverb, I think it would sound very like Phil’s, except for his talent and skillful playing, instead of mine!

8

Thanks Barry. I’ll have to check that out.