I am wanting to get back into playing the whistle (used to play on a Clarke with the gold diamonds, but it’s been lost). I do have a music background (I play piano and lever/pedal harp). My plan was (and still is) to get a high D whistle (probably a Dixon Trad). However, upon browsing around and listening to songs, the lower octave whistles really grab me as well with their more mellow/soothing sound. So, IF I end up getting a low whistle also, which of these would you recommend:
Oh, and I mostly play Irish music or accompany others (not necessarily Irish music), so I’m not sure if I should get a low D or maybe a low E? (I was accompanying this past weekend using my Yahama YRS-24B recorder - one I got over 20 years ago in elementary school that sounds decent enough in a pinch -but found if I only had one note lower I wouldn’t have had to rearrange my part)
Walt Sweet Onyx Low D ($350)
Dixon Polymer Low D ($117)
Dixon Polymer Low E ($95)
Obviously, there is a huge price difference. I’m wanting whatever is best, but of course if it happens to be less expensive that’s always a plus. I’m not looking to end up with a huge collection or anything - I mostly play the harp - this would just be in addition/whenever I can add it in here and there. Oh, and I have very long/thin fingers if that makes any difference.
If money isn’t an issue, my first low D picks would be a Goldie or an MK. I have a Goldie in Eb and I have the low D MK. I like the Goldie a little bit more but both are outstanding whistles.
If you have thin fingers, the Dixon TB012D might be better for you as it has smaller tone holes (smaller than the Chieftain/Goldie/MK whistles mentioned previously).
JTC111 - Thanks! Money kind of is an issue.. I’m really not wanting to spend even the $350 if I don’t have to (I know I don’t “have” to, but am willing to go up that high for quality)
David - Thanks! I’m also wondering of the TB022D would be a nice option to have (it has the interchangeable heads to make it a whistle/flute), which is about $20 more. I also saw on the WD Sweet site, he sells a flue head for $40 also that can be added if I’d want.
I guess in my head I’m thinking the Onyx is probably the better quality whistle, but I don’t know if it’s worth the extra $250? (Because I have $61 in amazon.com giftcards, and that is also taking off 10% - though I’m not sure if it qualifies for the 10% discount at whistleanddrum - since I’ve signed up for Blayne Chastain’s online lessons.) $44 or $64 vs. $315 is a big difference. I hate big decisions like this!!
Thanks so much, Maki … but don’t give me more options!!! j/k eek, my brain is about to combust lol
Does anyone here have experience with both the Onyx and the Dixon polymer? That would probably be the most helpful. Right now I’m kind of heavily leaning towards the Dixon for the amount of money I will save, but still would like to hear of anyone’s experiences/opinions about that.
I have to second the Goldie recommendation. I recently just got a low D (tunable) from him and I can hardly put it down. The general rule of thumb that I’ve found, more so with low whistles than with high ones, is that you get what you pay for. A Susato low D will run you around ninety bucks but it no where near compares to a Goldie or an MK.
I have Dixon polymer low D, and like it a lot. It is, of course, the only low whistle I have. Recently I was thinking of getting Goldie, and reconsidered: in my case, I need to improve the player, not the whistle
Also, I am not sure I would like the feel of metal in my mouth (plastic and wood are fine), but that is entirely personal.
Like Irishharpist24, I have thin fingers, and I have trouble getting a good seal on low whistles like Chieftains/Goldies/Susato etc with large tone holes. I can stick the tip of my middle finger into the E tonehole of my Susato low D
Of the Low D whistles I own (MK Jazz, Dixon TB012D, Chieftain V3, O’Brien,and Susato) only the MK and the TB012D are comfortable for me to play.
May I make a suggestion and you look at Dr Phill’s comments and the new Dixon TB012D (using the C & F search facility). I have 2 Dixon Low D’s (the older model DX003). One is currently on its way to Tony Dixon to have an upgrade the other is my go to whisle for slow airs and ballads. I also have a Kerry Songbird low D and a Susato Kildare. Both of these are good whistles but the fingering on both can be difficult especially the Songbird.
You may also like to look at the C & F whistle review on the main website.
Best of luck with what ever whistle you decide to get, enjoy the journey.
I’ve decided to go with the Dixon - with my amazon giftcards, it’s sort of a no-brainer. Then down the road, if I feel I need to, I can consider others. Thanks again!
Well, I got my low D whistle today! First impression was that it is so much lighter than I thought and, I know it’s not, but because of that, it does sort of feel like a toy (but I have no real experience with whistles, so I don’t know what they’re “supposed” to be like). I like the sound so far, although I didn’t realize it would be so hard to get all the holes closed (using pipers even). And just trying to play it for a few minutes and my thumbs are really hurting (maybe I’m holding on too tightly?) Also tried putting on the flute head, and I can barely get any sound to come out, lol. But I’m excited that all I can do is improve from here, lol. I should record myself just for fun so I can hear my improvement as I learn.
Yes, some Dixons, especially the polymers, are rather lightweight compared to many other low D whistles. The Burke composite low D is scary lightweight. But the Dixon is a good sounding whistle generally and the breath and stretch requirements are very beginner friendly, IMO. You should have a lot of fun with it. Congrats.
lol
