As some possibly useful info to other Kerry Pro Low D owners.
I chanced upon one in Vannes/morbihan/brittany/france.eu (hey, this is a general direction, not link). There’s a small music shop there intra muros.
We generally have scarce supply of whistles, beside Chieftains, plastic Kerries, Generation and Feadogs. Being welcome to try it out, I loved this tuneable K-Pro sound, easy fingering, finish, and back pressure. I can’t tell them from Overton’s. I bought it. The seller told me that from now on they were only sold direct.
Just in case, I e-mailed to Phil Hardy inquiring whether he offered Eb tubes for it ; answer was immediate if short–I don’t say curt–like yes, here price + postage, please send full whistle or head.
The whistle came back fast, with a nice touch–a lathed aluminum short sleeve to protect the top of the tube and its leather (is it?) seal when disassembled.
I complained about the new tube sounding a bit flat in cold rooms (18°C) after warmup, and the hole edges feeling raspier than with the original D tube. PH immediately replied to send back the whistle, free of charge of course. The finish is now excellent.
I still love the D, and this Eb even more. Shorter and physically better-balanced, it is more of a practice whistle (like some use F’s for). It seems a bit louder, and changes easier to upper octave, while still keeping a stable, solid bell note. Sustained high notes (over 2nd octave G/Ab xxx ooo) still call trouble and tongueing, but my breathing technique is yet to build… Oddly, finger reach would be identical but for the 4 smaller holes (xox xox) drilled bigger than on the D tube, where they are smaller than average. I prefer the Eb for half-holed notes, and the seal still is not a problem with my skinny, boney fingers.
Update : just checked on http://www.kerrywhistles.com and it appears in the News subsection that the Eb and E extra tubes are now part of the catalogue.
P.P.S.: all the subjective opinions on sound, etc. are just it–subjective–and reckoned IMHO : my practice is pretty new… though my ears fairly old.
BbZH
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-11-14 16:58 ]
Zubvika, your thread title says Bb, You might be better to change it to Eb, just for future reference. I just found out about them myself on the news page on Phil’s site, only problem is that I need my Kerry Pro at the moment and can’t send the head off. I intend to get one soon though.
On 2002-11-14 13:14, MacEachain wrote:
Zubvika, your thread title says Bb, You might be better to change it to Eb, just for future reference. I just found out about them myself on the news page on Phil’s site, only problem is that I need my Kerry Pro at the moment and can’t send the head off. I intend to get one soon though.
Cheers, Mac
Er… yup. Go right there. Think my signature grows up on me; time to change it too.
(Not that I wouldn’t care for a Bb e x t e n s i o n)
(edited for signature)
BbZH
HbZB# Oh, well–B_b_rittany
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-11-14 14:42 ]
I e-mailed Phil August 21st asking him about the Kerry Pro and never received a reply.
after I read your post I emailed him again about a week ago asking for prices and received no reply again. Nice web site but it doesn’t seem that anyone is on the other end! I am glad you got some service
I must be lucky zen. Uh, then–bluhdee Franch aksant.
I mailed several messages, got next day response each time, including one to tell me beforehand he would be gone abroad for a few days.
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-11-20 04:10 ]
Hi,
I think Phil Hardy may be working on a second CD at the moment. Could be why he has’nt responded. He normally replies within a day or so.I had a reply from him 6/11/02 regarding Eb tube. Phil was on vaction in August, I remember as Thats when I got my Kerry Pro. Just mail him again.
Go right there. Think my signature grows up on me; time to change it too.
Oh, well–B_b_rittany
Uh, then–bluhdee Franch aksant.