Learning Piper probably means O’Brien’s “Rover” sets of 3-part whistles. You can find them here: http://www.obrienwhistles.com/rover.html
Ah, the ones on tour.
Yes, I meant the Rover. Sorry for the mix up.
The Kerry Pro, MK, Burke Viper, a Reyburn were the brands that I could find the most information on. I think, from the sound clips I have found, that these four have an interesting range of tone.
Hmm, well lets see if I can sum it up quickly. All the Copelends I have found have been much more than I wanted to pay. (Let’s just say that all the sales I found were the some of the most expensive whistles I have ever come across.) I have also heard that the bottom holes are quite far apart. The Overtons also tend to run a bit higher of a price than I want to pay. I’ve also had a hard time finding a supplier. As for the Albas, I heard a sound clip and was unimpressed and I couldn’t find much information. (The Wandering Whistler reviewed a high D and it was not particularly complimentary. Unfortunately, this was the most info that I have found.)
Ostekjeks and I both have Alba low F whistles, which we like a lot. I can’t be of much use, though, since it’s the only low whistle I have ever played.
Okay, I can force myself to record some playing if you like. I can let you hear a Kerry Songbird low D (very close to the Chieftain), O’Brien low D (low-priced, newly acquired, interesting), Alba low F (my all-time favourite) and a Burke low A.
I recommend that you ask other members for this, though. They have more whistles, more experience, better playing …(but not my opinions and preferences, of course).
I disagree. Phil’s instruments has a very even spacing between the tone holes. The last tone hole is not far away. It makes the whistles easy to finger. At least I think so.
I’d agree with this.
Overall the MK upper 3 holes span about 1mm wider (1 to 3) than both Chieftain and Overton. The Bottom 3 holes are all set a little lower but have about 1.5mm less span from 4 to 6 (the top edges match but hole #6 is smaller making the reach about .75mm less over all). Hole #5 is set about 3 mm higher than the Chieftain but almost the same as an Overton (CG). Chieftain has the more even spacing.
Keep in mind that most makers can customise this to a certain degree and there can be variances depending on the time it was made and who it was made for.
I agree.
Hi learning piper,
regarding the kerry pro low D, finger spacing is quite comfortable, but one thing to note is the size of the E hole, its the biggest I’ve come across and could cause problems if you have skinny fingers.
The Copeland low D has a nice easy reach between F - E and D and also between the B - A and G, I have smallish hands and hole spacing was always a concern of mine, then I bought a used Cillian O’briain low D,
this has a stretch from E to D 47mm to be precise, compared to the Copelands 43 mm, but the sound is quite amazing and the octave jump
is effortless although it takes a lot of puff, so I decided to persivere with the finger stretch and I’m glad I did because even with small hands, it is possible to master the whistles with longer stretches all be it with slower tunes, if I ever got to grips with fast tunes then I would use the Copeland.
sponge 
I suggest you consider an ACME brand whistle, one could hardly find a better endorser:
I have the Kerry D, just the plain aluminum with black plastic mouthpiece that I got from the whistleshop years ago. And it is excellent. Great volume, easy to play, lovely tone, not as breathy as I have found other low D’s in tone. Basically it’s great whether you play all the time or only occassionally. The other Low D’s I’ve played/owned are Overton, Chieftain Brass, Susato, Burke Aluminum, all were great in their way, but this one has just stuck with me, besides it’s cheap!!!
Beannaichte, and let’s face it, everyone who recommends something is right, because whatever you choose is your favorite!
Well, I think I’ve narrowed it down to either a Kerry Songbird or a Kerry Pro. The only hitch is, of course, which one. Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks for all the help.
I had the kerry pro, its really well made, and if I am right the pro’s are the only hand made whistles that phil makes, sound was great, the only
problem I had was the (E ) hole is very large and I have skinny fingers,
I have a Cillian O,briain low D now which has medium sized holes but a longer stretch from E TO D, but well worth the stretch as the sound is superb, of the low D’s I have owned ( Copeland, Overton short reach, Overton standard reach, Kerry Pro, the O’briain is by far IMO the best,
and although Cillian no longer makes them, his colleague and apprentice is now making to the same specifications, and I think Doc Jones has some in at the irish flute store.
All the speculations about the MK whistles are well founded. I bought one earlier this year and it quite simply ROCKS!
I didn’t find it to have a bad whole spacing at all. The hole spacing on the MK whistle is about my Copeland Low D but the D-E stretch is more comfortable on the MK. If you are cool with the piper’s grip, this whistle is no problem.
What really makes this whistle stand out are the parts you don’t touch with your fingers. The fipple design is … “unique” with a very comfortable mouth fit. The windway is on the thin side so you have a lot of backpressure on these whistles and a pretty low air requirement. Because of the design you are also able to really lean into the lower register and push the sound with out it popping in to the second octave. So you have great dynamic and color variance while maintaining pitch. Making the effort to play this whistle well about 30% of what it takes to play my Copeland well just because the air requirements are so much more touchy.
It is incredibly well balanced and the notes in the upper end of the lower octave require similar enough pressure to the lower notes of the upper octave that jumps of a 3rd, 4th, or 5th are easily achieved with pressure differences you can anticipate and are intuitive.
If they made other keys I would acquire them all. 
Scott
Thanks Scott. I’m working on it.
Jeez, thanks a bunch guys, and I thought that I had at least come close to making a decision. Sighhh… (Does anyone have an Advil? Aspirin? A stout would work too? An IPA…? ) I love the sound, not to mention the look, of the MKs, but I don’t know if I can handle the last hole stretch. (Yea, I have small hands.) Of course the Kerrys are supposed to have large E holes, and I’m not sure if their hole spacing would be any better. Anyone have any thoughts of comparisons?
I didn’t find the stretch much different between the MK and the Kerry. I don’t have the two together to give an accurate comparison at this time. However, I am with Scott on this one. The MK keeps getting more impressive the longer I play it. I must say that it is now being played way more than any other low whistles I have. Absolutely fantastic MUSICAL instrument. I hope Misha will make an interchangeable low C body to go with the same head, as well as whistles in other pitches.
Schweeet!