Hey everyone. I am looking to buy a low D whistle. I currently have a Dixon, but I need something louder to play at gigs with my band. I am willing to consider any offer. Also, I have an O’Brien Rover D in copper if anyone wants to include that in a trade. Thanks all.
Shunting aside all arguments about the merits between instrument sounds (please, let’s not rehash that in yet another thread), there are no truly loud Low-D whistles out there. If you are looking for volume, you may want to start looking at flutes.
Of course, that’s not something you are just going to jump right into…it takes a while.
True enough, but almost all other low Ds are louder than a Dixon.
Doc
Um, I agree with Doc on this. Even among my limited collection of Low D whistles some are definitely ‘louder’ than others. The plastic-head Kerry I have is louder than my Howard, for example.
The other answer — since this issue is volume at gigs — is perhaps to consider using a microphone or two. There are a few threads on how to mic up whistles for live performances and studio recording. There are also videos of live performances on the kerrywhistles site if you want to see some whistle-microphone action!
The Overton is pretty loud. Our singer always complains that he’s going deaf by my playing and gets a soar throat 'cause he can’t keep up with the volume.
Yes, if micing were readily available, the Dixon would indeed be fine, as volume knobs do wonders. I know some are louder than others. I imagine my old Chieftain is one of the loudest of the bunch (and clearly louder than my Copeland, though I prefer the Copeland’s sound). However, if playing un-mic’d, or poorly mic’d, I’d MUCH prefer the solid volume of a flute if I were playing.
A high whistle can cut through a group (especially a very pure toned one or a session cannon like Chieftains, Susatos or Copelands), but that’s in part due to the higher octave registering as louder to the ears. Low whistles in general just don’t have the oomph. I’d be very interested in the physics behind why a transverse flute can gain so much more volume over a fipple flute.
Chieftain is my loudest.
MK everytime.
These are the coolest thing with 6 holes and loud enough to hold their own in a session.
Not cheap but worth every penny.
I am very happy with the volume of my Alba low D. It actually echos down the valley when I play outside.
Tansy…
Wow…how nice to have a valley to echo down!!!1