I am an uilleann piper and play the penny whistle as well to an intermediate, but am interested in purchasing a Low D whistle. I know that there are may opinions out there, but I am interested in a low whistle that has a breathy flute-like sound but is still ornaments well. It appears from many of the posts that these two features of low whistles are mutually exclusive to some degree, but perhaps not. Any ideas from those with experience in these matters? Thanks.
My goodness, never knew we had such prominent people among us!
Out of the low Ds I’ve played (Chieftain, Old Burke, Kerry with black head, Syn, Songbird), the Kerry Songbird low D has the most flute-like tone. I like this low D, and if I was in the market, I’d buy one. People said they had clogging problems with the Songbird, but I didn’t and I played it with one band I was in during rehearsal. The band enjoyed the whistle, but the Songbird was on tour. I’ve also heard that Copelands have flute-like tones, but they are more expensive than the Songbird, which is reasonable.
-Casey
Thanks Casey for your reply. I will look into this whistle.
Erik
From my own experiences, The Copeland is probably the most flute-like in sound but is terribly expensive. The other I thought was great was a Reyburn standard bore low d. Great sound and easy to play. I have a Chieftain low d that takes a lot of work to play. In other words, a lot of practice to get control of. It’s not what I’d think of as flute sounding, either. Haven’t tried a Songbird.
Tony
Check out the Sweet Resonance low Ds. Mine has a really flute like sound and ornaments nice and crisply . Looks beautiful too.
As always I would put in my vote for the Reyburn.
Howards have a nice flutey tone.
Sorry to disagree but IMHO no low D whistle really sounds like an Irish flute. Perhaps not so for the listener and where a lot of reverb is involved, but from player’s perspective, they’re fairly (not vastly) dissimilar. I like to think of the low whistle as its own instrument.
Breathiness and ornaments can coexist. My Chieftain F is on the breathy side and the ornaments are snappy to my ears.
Nobody is really stating that a low whistle sounds like a flute, it was just mentioned that the Copeland is the most similar to a flute in sound. In fact, to the non-musician, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
Personally, I’ll back the Copeland Low D as the ultimate low whistle. The price tag, though, reflects this. Still, I’m a happy owner.
For an inexpensive low D with a great flute sound I vote for a Casey Burns Folk Flute. 
Ron
Inexpensive? Maybe for a flute…
Hi,
I play the uilleanns too and play a Jon Swayne Low D whistle. It’s not as breathy as a Copeland but has more back pressure which I like. Moreover, it doesn’t have the clogging issues as with a Overton. The downside is it’s even more expensive than a Copeland and it takes a long time to make.
Cheers!
Steve
I’m with Mr. Kiley: get a flute. That’s what I did, and I don’t even own a low whistle, anymore. 
Still, I back the Reyburn as the only low D I’ve ever even liked.
I would like to, but the Sweet tour seems to be on hold. 
Oh well, would not have had the money before the holidays anyway. Maybe it’s best not to have the temptation.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record…
I play a Silkstone Alloy Low D that can really achieve a great flute like tone. I would highly recommend Silkstone to you as an option. It is somewhat more “rustic” than a flute, esp. in the upper ranges, but I have had many a person come up to me post-gig and say something like “I just love your flute! It has such a beautiful sound”, etc., etc.
FWIW, my wife is a music teacher who plays a “real flute”, and we sometimes play duets together with my Low D and her flute, and the match is quite nice.
Someone further up on this thread posted that to the non-musician (for that matter, the non-whistler…), most folks won’t be able to tell a difference. Must agree with that thought 100%. A lot of the people who hear me at a gig can’t tell the difference between a Low D and a Low F, much less varying brands of Low D’s. They just like the “pretty sound”.
Happy Hunting.
LW
Make sure to check out the Overton low whistles…
I’ve never played on a Copeland, but compared to all others I’ve heard or played, Overtons are certainly superior! Good back pressure and the most beautiful tone I’ve ever heard from a whistle!
I like my Howard, too…
What about MK? I have heard good things from what I have read? I am also looking for a low d and trying to decide.
Okay, my turn. 
If that is the intent, that is to deceive the audience, then by all means yes, sub in a whistle for a flute or a 12 string guitar for a zouk, etc. Not trying to be judgemental, only pointing out that the player will never be deceived.
I play Copeland, Burke, and Overton Low Whistles. I play them for my own “ear,” and pleasure. What others may hear is varied and out of my hands.
Veiled arguments over the “superiority” of flutes over Low Whistles are pretty tedious. Every musician finds what works for them, or gives them the most pleasure. Claiming that MY choice of instruments is better than yours would be condescending and just silly!
Some love whistles…some love flutes…some love the sound of both! (I’m in that camp.)
Straight answer to the original query; in my humble judgement, and from my non-famous but earnest playing experience, my Copeland Low D problably makes the richest, flutiest sound among my little collection.
Good luck. Look, listen, and find out for yourself. Low Whistling can be beautiful and very fulfilling!