Help!!! My husband plays an Abell. He has a low whistle that I hate. I want to buy him a decent one for Father’s day. He REALLY wants a Copeland, but apparently they are rare right now. I’m at a loss but I’m determined to put a good low D whistle into his hands. I play the harp, so the whistle will need to blend with that sound (nothing raucous sounding). Does anyone out there have suggestions? I thought it best if I contacted folks with experience rather than just taking a stab in the dark. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Well, if you are willing to spend some money, MKs are the best that I have heard. Everyone will tell you that. They are up there in price though. Also, if I am no mistaken, there is no waiting list for them now, so you will get it pretty fast. That would be something to consider.
I also recommend MK. I have also owned a Copeland. I prefer MK, and that is what I play now. Copelands are also excellent and may even be available by special order (check with the maker). Can’t go wrong with either one.
Thanks for the suggestions. Does anyone have a link for Copeland? I must have had old info because I couldn’t get the link to work. I will look into the MK whistle. Appreciate the info!
Check out the Resonance Low D by Sweetheart:
http://www.sweetheartflute.com/lowwhistle.html
I have an early model in Dymondwood (no longer made) and simply love it. It does everything I ever wanted a low whistle to do and is relatively easy to finger.
Do you need to surprise your husband? His input would be of valuable in all of this. What about a gift certificate? What about having him put together a wish list? He might want something completely different. Husbands are like that. I’ve been one for awhile.
I agree. How would you react if he chose a harp for you as a present?
VERY good point! I would be extremely upset if my wife bought me a low D as a present other than a Goldie low D with exactly the right back-pressure and playing characteristics that I like.
Everything you need to contact Michael is in this post.
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/statement-on-status-of-copelands/57787/1
MK Whistles can be found here.
http://www.mkwhistles.com/
I’d also consider a Burke composite low D to play with the harp, just my opinion..
http://www.burkewhistles.com/product.php?productid=16185&cat=257&page=1
Feadoggie
I have a Howard low D which I like quite a lot. It’s a very easy player and very responsive. I have medium size hands and rather short fingers and can easily play it either with or without piper fingering.
My friend Alec has a Colin Goldie Overton low D which is the best low whistle I’ve ever had the chance to play. The one he has does have quite a reach, though, so piper’s grip is mandatory.
–James
Please don’t surprise your husband with the instrument. As others have said the “right” whistle is a very individual thing. If you give him an instrument he’ll feel he has to keep it and play it or insult you. Or, the two of you will end up having an uncomfortable discussion. Give him a gift certificate to purchase the Low D, and then help him follow through on doing it. You’ll be a much happier couple seems to me…
Thanks for the input - MK seems to be the one he wants. I’d like him to look into the Goldie though as he does play pipes. I don’t think he knows too much about that one, though. I’d like as many names of GOOD whistles for him to investigate.
Although I appreciate your well intentioned comments about potential marriage issues regarding buying my husband an instrument he might not love, we are both professional musicians and I realize the “risk”.
We talk about this constantly and I have a good handle on where he’s going with this - I just want to beat him to the punch and buy it before he buys it for himself. He just won’t go on a forum and get other people’s input - stubborn man!!! I think a person can really get the “inside scoop” on these instruments from the folks who are out there playing them.
Thanks again to everyone who took their time to help out. I appreciate it!