Hello all,
Well, I’m afraid I may end up sounding redundant, but I have low whistle question. I know this question was addressed recently, but I didn’t have all my questions answered. I am upgrading from a Dixon PVC low D, and after much research I have narrowed my options down to four brands. So, I am trying to decide between a Kerry Pro, an MK, a Burke Viper, and a Reyburn. I will most likely be buying all of these brands eventually, but since I gig quite regularly, I want to start with something I can use as workhorse. (I. e. A fairly standard, generic sound.) A fairly loud volume would be nice too. (From what I have heard, the Reyburn doesn’t really fit into that category, but I thought I would put it up just in case someone had any comments.) One more thing, I don’t have very large hands, but I am quite experienced with pipers grip. So, this does affect my decision somewhat. So, does anyone have any advice? Again, if I’m being redundant, please accept my apologies. Thanks for the help.
Cheers,
I would characterize my Burke Viper Low D as a quiet whistle. Unfortunately, for low whistles, it often goes with the territory. I don’t have any personal experience with the others. I also have Susato Low D and prefer its sound and volume over the Burke. The reach is a bit further on the Susato. The Burke sounds really good when there is a natural echo or reverb but not many venues have that.
Between the 4 you’ve mentioned, it can be only a personal thing - some, if not all, of them can be customised by the maker for both reach and volume. Keep in mind that adjustments to reach can reduce the quality of the tone - I have seen it done successfully in only one case - and that was a wooden Low D. The volume can be made more or less by any of the reputable makers.
If you want an off-the-shelf workhorse whistle It’s best to try them and see which one fits you best to start off. Your requirment might change over time as well.
Somebody please have mercy and make this a sticky topic…
my reyburn is quite loud. I also have a Kerry(not the pro) and it has quite a bit of volume also. I have smallish hands and on the Reyburn must use my pinky for the low hole. Whistlesmith makes a lowD for small hands but it is very quiet.
This is better than a sticky. It is a ‘‘flubber topic’’. Keeps bouncing back faster each time. 
This is the first comment I’ve heard yet about a Whistlesmith whistle. Other than it being quiet, what’s it like?
Fairly breathing in sound. here is a quick clip of me noodling around. No particular tune just running around on it bascially hehe but it gives an idea of what it sounds like
www.shadoespace.net/mp3/whistlesmith.mp3
I tend to use it as a late night practice whistle since it is so quite. The only problem with that though is the fingering is so different from both my kerry and my reyburn. The whistlesmith I can play using standard fingertip high whistle grip
I’m not familiar with Whistlesmith. Can someone post a link?
The sell on eBay, but their website is here: http://www.whistlesmith.com/
For what it’s worth, they’re also advertising a lot on Google; that’s how I came across them.
Walt
I don’t know anything about how they play, but those MK’s are some of the coolest looking things I’ve ever seen.
I would have to agree.
Those MK’s ARE the coolest things you will ever see. And in my humble opinion will give ANY of the accepted high-enders a serious run for their money. I suggest the much vaunted Overton should start to look over its shoulder!
from the pictures on the website, those MK whistles look like they’ve got quite a reach to the bottom D. Anyone have experience with this? How would it compare to a Chieftain or a Burke?
I received O’Brien’s new-developed low D whistle today. What can I say? It’s darn good. It has a sound close to the Howard and Overton, if I remember these right, it’s simple and good-looking and has a very low tone hole stretch (it’s even better than my Songbird). It is slightly quiet, but not too much. It’s easy to blow, so good for a beginner. Maybe not the best instrument for those experienced, who like to express their playng using a bit more air pressure.
They’re not expensive at all. Get one and try for yourself! I’ll give you a review as soon as I’ve tried the low whistle for some days.
Wish I’d thought to ask that. 
From what I saw at in a video from the Kerry Whistles site, the MK looked like it had a smaller stretch than the Songbird, but I couldn’t quite tell. Can anyone give a comparison?
Ostekjeks, would that be the O’Brian that makes the wandering whistles?
How did you settle on this particular list, to the exclusion of Copelands, Overtons, or Albas?
Yeah, a bit of a stretch but no more than most others. I manage to play easily enough using a standard grip and with no difficulty using a pipers grip.
If your hands are particularly small you might struggle a bit but then you would with an Overton or Cheiftain.
His name is David O’Brien, look at the whistle here. What do you mean about “wandering whistles”?