I’m mainly a flute player, but I’ve noticed that I love almost any track on a cd that’s done with a low F whistle. My solution so far has been to transcribe the tune and play it in F on my silver flute. But now I’m thinking I should try the real thing.
I know the top players go with Goldie, Kerry Pro, MK’s. I’m wondering if there is a moderate to inexpensive option that’s possibly tunable and still high quality. I like the sound of Guido Gonzato’s whistles (and I certainly like the price), though I know they aren’t tunable. I also saw the Chieftain V3, but again not tunable. Perhaps one of these is a good place for me to start or should I save up and just get a top end whistle–what do you think?
Goldie, MK and Kerry Pro are good choices. Don’t count out Mike Burke. The aluminum low F that he makes is a good player, IMO. I’d suggest starting with one of those four.
I’ve owned/played the Susato Kildare low F. It’s a good whistle but perhaps not everyone’s cup a tea. And the Dixon poly low F gets the job done too.
Guido’s whistles are a good choice, IMO. I know he does not list tunable models on his website. He has made tunable whistles. I have two that he made which are tunable. The tuning slide is very well done too. Maybe if you ask very nicely… And there is no reason you couldn’t make your own low F.
If you’d only asked a day or two ago — there was a Humphrey low F on e-Bay. Went for $47.
That being by the boards, I’d also like to say nice things about the Burke low F. Not sure what your boundaries of “moderate to inexpensive option” are but the Burke new is about $230.
As Feadoggie says, Guido Gonzato’s whistles are a good choice - and a bargain.
Phil Hardy has his Chieftain V3’s in D, F, and G are on sale right now. They are about $120 shipped. The V3 D’s have been on sale from time to time, but this is the first time I’ve seen other keys available at the that price.
Ron beat me to the punch - I was also going to suggest the Alba tenor F. It’s a fine tunable whistle at around $150 USD. I would also mention that while I like the Chieftains quite a bit, I’ve been happier with the two Alba whistles I’ve had.
Thanks for the responses so far. Listening to McGoldrick and Finnegan, I dig how they have dynamics on their F whistles, i.e. they can push the sound, be loud and soft, rough or smooth. I take it that’s probably more possible with a high-air top end whistle like the Goldie or Kerry Pro. It seems most other whistles have one sound and can’t be pushed too far in other directions. Is this true? I seriously don’t know for sure.
I had a Goldie Low F that unfortunately I had to sold because money troubles, and it was fantastic. I’ve got a Kerry Pro Low F which is great as well, I love it. I love the low whistles which have lot of back pressure, in which we can blow hard an that you can push.
I’ve got a Copeland Low F as well, a beautiful whistle, but too “easy” to play for me: being a hard blower, I break notes too easily on this low F, it can’t be really pushed the way I want, so I even think to sold it in the future. Someone’s interested?
I’m on a waiting list for an MK low F as well, and I’m sure it will be wonderful.
Yes, I’d agree with above. My F is a Goldie and is a really great whistle, as is the MK. I haven’t tried a Kerry Pro but they sound good to my ears too. Personally I would discount the Chieftain, the few I’ve tried are like toys compared to the Goldie to be honest. It’s not a lot of money for an instrument, do yourself a huge favour and don’t try to save £50 by compromising. If a Goldie or MK doesn’t sound right you can be confident it’s not the whistle, which is always good to know.
Well, I am not sure what you mean by "“a high-air top end whistle” but I do think I catch your meaning about the dynamics and “one sound”. In my expereience I don’t think any of the Goldie/Kerry Pro/MK whistles are particularly high in air requirements, if that’s what you mean. A Burke or Copeland may use a bit more air but they both have a good dynamic range as well. As would an O’Riordan come to think of it. These are all top of the heap whistles and worth the investment. An MK low F or Kerry Pro low F may be difficult to source quickly. The availability of a Burke or Goldie would be better. And if you’re looking for the McGoldrick sound the Goldie low F is a good way to get there.
Luckily the Goldie and MK have such different characters you don’t have to decide which you prefer - you just have to convince yourself you NEED both :0)
I got a killer deal on a Reviol low F in a used package deal, and it has made me really want to get one of Maurice’s low D’s (though I own an MK, which I love!).
The Reviol is one of my favorite whistles, and sounds amazing through the whole range. In other words, don’t count these out either.
Making your own using Guido’s instructions is a wonderful idea. You have no idea how much satisfaction you’ll gain from making music on an instrument you’ve made yourself. Very few tools are required-- mainly stuff that’s good to have around the house for repairs. PVC pipe is cheap, so you can afford to make a couple of inferior ones before you get the knack. Guido’s instructions are really terrific too. Give it a try.
I know this isn’t what you’re after… but Jon Swayne’s Low F’s are fantastic. Not inexpensive, though.
As has been noted before in this parish, he’s perhaps not that well-known amongst ITM players, as he largely moves in what you might call Angol-French circles He makes great whistles. And pipes
Yes, Reviol whistles are really very nice too, I agree. I haven’t played Maurice’s low F, but I have a low D and it is really great. If you say the low F is amazing, then I believe you-and would probably choose the Reviol low F for myself, too. I have played many other lows, but Maurice’s suits me the best for my preferences (lower back pressure, full rich tone throughout-best sounding 2nd octave I’ve heard also). His superior anodizing and bead blasting make a very appealing and durable finish, and his workmanship is among the best, no doubt. No marks are normally visible like some other anodized whistles I’ve had or heard about. You also have a choice of other bodies to buy when you desire with the Reviols. I would love to try a low C body myself, if I had the chance or money.
Though, higher back pressure is key for some-but I prefer less than more, although I don’t know if Maurice offers such choices, like Colin Goldie offers as de rigueur. All I asked for was a full and rich low end, with an easy 2nd octave, and he delivered as asked. And I was very happy to hear the delightful second octave tone-wise; that was an added but very welcome bonus. Most low whistles have a fairly thin 2nd octave, from what I’ve heard.
But all of this can be considered personal preference-once you have experienced what you like, that’s all that matters in the end result.
I’d love to try a Mike Burke Low D brass especially, some day. Even his aluminum Pro Viper, I think would suit me well now, but maybe even more-the brass Viper low D. Don’t know if he offers an F in brass yet, but have heard many good things about the Burke’s in aluminum overall as well, from his more recent offerings.
Pick one, and try it on yourself-that’s the only real way you’ll know how it suits. Just like flutes-it depends more on you than the instrument in the end result.
Hard to argue with the price for a low whistle! (well, maybe-Boulder Early Music shop shows them for just a little more for a new one, if it’s up to date)
I’ve had the low D Susato and liked it pretty well. Wish I still had it too-for when I don’t feel like warming my metal whistle, and for a different tone.
