Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a new and an old Howard low D? I just bought a used one off ebay, it looks relatively new but sounds really buzzy in the low octave. I know that howard redesigned the head/fipple within the last couple years but don’t know how to tell the difference. I can’t seem to find any pictures of an old Howard to compare with.
Thanks!
I did a search and found this:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?p=547218#547218
Also, this thread also mentions the identifying marks of the new head, and talks about the attributes:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=24635&highlight=howard
Hi all.
I’ll be writing up a comprehensive review of the new Howard head design since Dorothy was kind enough to send me one. I’ll record the difference. Expect it later this week. Suffice to say I love my Howard 
B.
I just picked up a Howard Low D through Lark in the Morning a few months ago. Since it was fresh from his shop, I probably have the new model so I can’t really comment on the differences between old and new.
I would, however, like to hear samples of people playing this Low D. Can you folks point me to any? It’s my first Low D whistle and I’m wondering what it’s supposed to sound like in the 2nd octave. You know, something to work towards. 
I can get up there, but it doesn’t sound very sweet, nor does it sound like recordings of Low Ds I’ve heard. I was wondering if the Howard Low D has a unique sound compared to other Low Ds like Overtones, Chieftains, Burke’s Low D, etc.
Do you know about the Clips and Snips archive?:
http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/index.htm
Here are a couple from there:
Black is the Color…Howard low D…Patrick Ashley…12/29/03
http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/Audio/12-03/BlackistheColorPatrickA.mp3
Parting of Friends…Howard low D…Brian Dobson…12/26/03
http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/Audio/12-03/PartingofFriends2.wma
Granted, these will be the older models, but it should sound similar in the upper octave. But no recording will sound like your live whistle though. Playing into the second octave will require some good breath control and support usually, depending on the whistle, and that just takes time to learn.
Have fun!
Wonderful stuff, green. Thanks for the links. I’ll definitely be living at Clips and Snips for a while.
Any idea where I can find the sheet music to “Black is the Color”? I’ve become quite taken with it.
Yes, it’s a great resource we have, thanks to Tony Higgins, and Dale.
No, sorry, I don’t know much about sheet music-I’m an ear player myself. But there should be someone around who does know where to source paper music. If you don’t get a reply on this thread, start a new one, and you’ll get some help, no doubt.
Hi
JC’s tunefinder is a great ressource for sheet music and also MIDI. Here the results for “Black is the Color”:
Silvano
Thanks for looking that up for me. What a great depository of tunes that site is.. Definitely worth bookmarking into del.icio.us…