Hi everyone. I just found this forum a little while ago, and encase anyone was interested, thought I’d give my 2 cents on my new Impempe D. Shipping to New York took 13 days, and I’ve been playing with it all afternoon. I’m aware Ian Turnbull has been tweaking his design over the years, and in the last year or so increased the price of his whistles considerably. The last reviews I read were from the tour in 2011 when they were in the $60 range, so I figured a new review was in order to let people know if it’s worth the price hike.
I immediately noticed this whistle’s sound can’t be compared to anything else I’ve played. It can’t be called simply pure or breathy. It exists in this rich, flute like middle zone. Considering it’s a high D, it has a very deep, smooth, round tone in the lower octave. In the 2nd octave, it quickly becomes more pure yet never becomes shrill. It has the full body tone of a complex instrument.
Some general characteristics:
It is loud. Good for outdoors. Won’t get cut out by an air conditioner.
Breathe requirement is marginally above average. Slightly more than a Dixon Trad.
Back pressure is heavy after the 1st octave. You really need to (get to) lean into it while playing.
Feels very solid in your hands / Looks dashing.
While I have never played one of the “older” models, I think this whistle is certainly worth the price he is charging. Though it may be rash to say, I actually prefer it to a burke (which I’ve played recently). Compared to a burke, this sound is deep, round and rich. I play the clarinet, and keep envisioning a flaring bell to be on the end of it. If you’re in the market for a unique, playable, rugged instrument, I certainly recommend the Impempe.
I’ll work on getting a recording up in the next few days. Thanks for reading!
I have to concur with this review, especially its description of the pure, non-shrill upper octave. The Impempe is a very good whistle for playing slow airs. It measures up very well to similar whistles in the mid-price range ($75.00-$150.00). Ian’s communication is excellent as well.
I put it up to electric tuner. At first I thought I had everyone in tune, but it suddenly went flat after high G. I then realized it needed higher pressure to stay in tune around those notes. You really have to “give it the beans.” This doesn’t mean more breathe, mind you. If you like playing your whistle strongly and loudly outdoors, then you would like this.
Very little wait time. Aluminum models cost $100.00 to $110.00 depending upon key. Shipping to the United States is an additional $18.00. After shipment it takes approximately 2-3 weeks for international shipment to arrive from South Africa where these whistles are made.
Have to say this is completely at variance with what I’ve found with both the 2012 Impempe D I kept and the one I first sent back, where I’d say you have to back off here to keep the pitch of these notes down!
Slide out 3mm and still giving it no more than it needs to get the second octave at all (with more slide becoming increasingly disturbing to the internal tuning)!
Since the other one I tried was similar but voiced for an even gentler blow, my total experience with (two) Impempes has been of sharp tuning quickly going sharper with warmth and/or the slightest unnecessary pressure. To which I might add that they’ve felt like a design that should take the pressure, but don’t.
I’m in agreement. Without going into details of how Ian is a whistler and a gentleman, an Impempe has always been my favorite as far as sound goes, after having listened to many comparisons.
I’ve indeed found the second octave to require a bit more push, but nothing you can’t get used to. Can’t speak to the tuning myself as it’s not my only whistle so doesn’t get the play it would if it were, but there is nothing like that beautiful, distinctive sound (my older Impempe is also that way, though it has tuning issues and the two do sound different). I have to keep it away from my mum as she’s always threatening to steal it.
I have tried to make a few recordings with my cell phone application, but feel as if I should do it better justice before posting anything. Once I get access to a quality microphone I’ll be sure to post it.
Since I bought from Big Whistle (not Ian direct) but have reason to believe both whistles as Ian intended, I think not. So guess we just agree to differ about that second-octave ‘push’!