O'Briain improved whistle review

Whistle
1

Just got my Cillian O’Briain improved Feadog from Shanna Quay yesterday (Thanks Steve!).

This is the sound and playability I have been searching for! It plays as easily (maybe even more easily) in the upper registers than my Sindt D, – nice even volume throughout both registers (and will go into the third octave without rupturing my ear drums). And it has a wonderful, bright, “whistle” sound-- like I always wanted my Generations to sound but never would (with the exception of my older style brass Bb). It is also remarkably expressive and easy to play, and of a good moderate volume. I was somewhat concerned about the fact that the O’Briain is supposed to be less forgiving and require more breath control, but this did not turn out to be much of an issue. It does require less air than many of my whistles, and you have to take it a bit easy, especially on the low D, but it didn’t really give me any problems (and believe me, I am no Mary Bergin!)

It has a fairly good cross fingered C natural, and seemed very well in tune with itself (although I do have to blow the high B into tune-- it wants to be a little flat if you don’t give it enough air, but again, I am quibbling).

Appearances-- I chose the brass whistle with the green Mark III (I think?) head. Its the newest Feadog head-- looks sorta like a Generation head, not like the older more square Feadog heads. The hollow area in the head has been filled in with some white putty looking stuff (I think it is some sort of epoxy) and the fipple blad has been overlaid with a clear white plastic insert that sticks out past the head a little bit (sort of like the guitar pick technique some people on the board have discussed). Nothing dramatic, and I doubt the casual observer would think it was anything but a new Feadog.

I can see many of my other nice whistles gathering dust for the time being. Cillian is really on to something, and at under 40 dollars with shipping, you really can’t go wrong! I would also like to thank Steve at Shanna Quay for his great service and the thoughtful inclusion of a free Clark MEG, which is like a Sweetone. Also a nice, fun whistle.

Tres

2

I agree with you, O’brien is a heck of a whistle… The only thing is that it’s not the type of whistle you’d play at a session (unless you don’t want to be heard too much!), it’s even much quieter than a normal Generation…

3

I got my O Briain a little over a week ago, and it’s quickly become my favorite whistle. It has a sweet, clear voice, especially in the second octave, that is absolutely seductive (I’m encouraged to learn more “high” tunes now that I don’t cringe when I hit high G!). I do find myself having to be careful not to overblow the lower octave (mentally chanting “remember, this is not a Susato!”), but it’s worth the effort.

Redwolf

4

I got mine yesterday! I love it. I have been wanting a quiet whistle so I could practice in my apartment, and the O’Briain is better than I could have hoped. And the tone is perfect thru both octaves. It’s my new favorite whistle. I can’t put it down.

5

I agree with the above comments. This is a fine whistle.