Hi there,
This is my first time on the forum so excuse me if I sound like a dullard! I have been looking at the MK low whistles, and am impressed by their look, but have never heard one. Does anyone out there own one and be willing to give an honest opinion? They are quite expensive compared to other makes and I want to know if they are worthn the money. Many thanks.
Wurzel
Try this:
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/mk-low-d-review/55994/1
Actually I struggled using the search function, because it told me that “MK low whistle” were too common terms to search for. Perhaps there should be an easier way to bookmark reviews of whistles?
You might be interested in this web site, which contains reviews of lots of low whistles – written by a Chiff & Fipple member whose name I don’t remember at the moment. …
http://pipersgrip.50webs.com/Instrument%20Reviews.html
Included is an MK review, including a sound clip.
But if you weren’t already aware, there is a waiting list for MKs… several months, I believe.
Hello,
I was watching some videos of Fred Morrison on youtube, He plays an MK low D on quite a few of them. If you do a search for him you should be able to find them pretty easily. There are also some good videos of MK’s at the kerrywhistles website. I’m thinking about trying to get one of then myself sometime soon, they sure are nice looking whistles. I hope that helps.
Bill
I’m not a low whistler per se, but I do dabble with my Overton and have tried MKs on several occasions. My impression is that they are very fine instruments - big and round, with lots of room to push - if you have the push and air to give. Not necessarily a good whistle for a beginner or only occasional low whistler. And, as mentioned above, I understand that Misha has quite a backlog of orders for new instruments, with wait times of 6 months or so.
There’s an MK on ebay at the moment:
If it stays where it is (100 EUR) it might be a catch.
(And no, I am NOT the seller!)
Bill’s point about kerrywhistles is a great tip - the site is a must!
Go to “Movies” and then to “pro-files” and then you have:
(And no, I am not affiliated with kerrywhistles!)
It’s funny that whistles are listed as “Exotische Instrumente”. 
I have an MK low D in red and it is the prettiest looking and sounding thing I own. Easily comparable with the Overton, knocks the socks off a Chieftain, and is not even in the same league as a Howard.
Buy one - now! That one on Ebay looks fine, for €100 you would bag a bargain. You would bag a bargain at twice that!
Buy that one on E Bay ? Difficult for a US buyer: the listing is in German and there is no option to ship outside Europe.
Translation:
Diese Whistle ist handgefertigt von der Fa.vMK Whistles und besteht aus schwarz eloxierten Aluminium. Das Verbindungsrohr besteht aus Messing! Sie wurde kaum benutzt und ist in sehr gutem Zustand!
This whistle is handmade by MK Whistles and manufactured from black anodized aluminium. The tuning slide is made out of brass. The whistle has hardly been used and is in an excellent condition!
Die ist ein Privatverkauf, daher kein Rückgaberecht!
Private auction - no returns.
If anyone is really interested, I guess I might be able to do someone a favour by buying it and then shipping it to the US, since I live in Germany myself.
if you have the will, you will find the way! 
I have played or own Copeland, Chieftain, Overton, Burke, Susato, Kerry Pro, Reyburn, and a couple of other respected Low Ds.
My opinion of the MK Low D is that there is no BETTER Low D whistle out there. (Others are great in their own way…apples and oranges…)
It seems to have a stunning catalog of the most sought-after Low Whistle characteristics.
I cherish my MK Low F, too.
Misha knows how to build a whistle.
I think it’s because the search function doesn’t properly search for two-letter words so it definitely can be a challenge to find what you are looking for.
I also have played many if not most of the low D whistles out there.
I tried one MK Low D a little over a year ago and was not overly impressed.
But then a couple months ago I tried a different one, and WOW, it was simply fantastic. Now I know what all the fuss is about! Though I’m still a Burke fan, and still regard the Burke as sort of a benchmark to judge Low D’s by, I must admit that this particular MK was superior in just about every way.
The tone had a nice colour or patina to it. All the low notes were full and solid and you could really “push” them. The high notes were well balanced and smooth, not having the edginess or shouting quality heard on some Low D’s. All in all, possibly the finest Low D I’ve ever played. If I could aquire THAT MK, I would in an instant.
Thanks for the input everyone. I am off to ebay now with my bid!
Wurzel
I doubt you’ll be alone in that endeavour Wurzel - especially with this nice wee primer thread giving the heads up
Thing to remember is that if it is as new then you have to consider the 7 month wait for one which will cost around £185/ 210 euros/ $270 inc shipping I suppose. Be interested to see how it pans out. My wait is drawing to an end soon I hope…
Good luck!
Stephen
Well, the German MK sold for 192 Euros, which is the same as the purchase price from MK for a new whistle - it seems that the 6 month waiting list puts quite a premium on second hand models! If the buyer is on this forum, sorry for pushing the price up so high, my last bid was 191.0 but somebody had an automatic bid in for higher.
Wurzel 
Could well be much more than 6 months wait by some accounts it would appear. I suppose it depends on whether one is happy to wait for a first hand instrument with guarantees or take the chance with an unknown quantity with perhaps less guarantee. Especially when the price is the same. Patience is a virtue - not one I have really but sometimes sense overcomes me… I reckon your loss is your gain, if you know what I mean 
Get your name down for one with the maker.
Hey Wurzel, so it was you 
who did cost me the 32 bucks …
Ok, you owe me a drink … and I’ll let you know, how nice the MK (hopefully) is … 
Cheers
Claus
Panceltic, speaking as someone who has an MK on order… I half-wish that I hadn’t read your anecdote.
On the one hand, it’s useful information, knowing that not all MK’s are created equal. But on the other hand, (a) I will now worry that the one I receive won’t be top notch, and (b) if I get my MK, and it doesn’t thrill me, then I’ll immediately think about this discussion, and I’ll wonder, “Hmm, I wonder if this is one of those nothing-special MKs that Pancelticpiper was talking about?” Whereas, if I hadn’t read this thread, then I would’ve just assumed, “Man, this doesn’t sound like anything special – it must be my playing! I’ll have to try harder.”
Time will tell, eh? I predict that mine will be ready in one month, mainly because that will be the middle of my work deadline crunch.