I have been in contact with Brigitte and Colin about purchasing a Goldie/Overton
low D, and discovered that in addition to the standard hole size, Colin also makes a big hole Overton. According to Brigitte, the big hole offers a better bending, is a bit louder, and has a fatter sound. On the other side, it is a bit more “slow” with ornamentations. She suggests that the big hole is wonderful for slow airs and the standard performs better with fast jigs.
I have quite large hands and would have no problem, I guess, with large holes (I had a Howard in the past and had no problems with it). More over, I am quite a beginner and play mostly airs, I am not able yet to play fast. But I would like to know the opinion of some Overton owners about the difference between standard and large holes.
Also, I really want to have the “signature” Overton sound, and I wonder how much difference there is in sound between the two models ? Do they both deliver the classic “Overton” sound ?..
I must also say that to deal with Brigitte and Colin is a pleasure, Brigitte is so helpful and detailed and kind in her responses ! She offered me to listen to different models on the phone, and I will do that for sure. But in the meantime I am curious about your opinion. By the way, Bloomfield, if I am not wrong, you have both the standard and large hole Overton. Can you help ?
I already responded to your pm, but for the public benefit my view is that unless you are really advanced player, I’d go with the standard-hole Overton. It’s the Overton sound either way.
More importantly, if this is a dilemma, it’s a dilemma of riches. The important thing is getting a new Overton, yeah! I wouldn’t worry for a second about big hole vs standard hole.
Yep, even the smaller holes on my Dixon Alu low D are big enough to bend the notes without problems and on my old Overton it’s very easy.
If you decide to get an Overton you’ll buy an excellent instrument that is an investment for the future regardless if you keep it or decide to get one with the larger holes. An Overton whistle will not decrease in value over time. However, my guess is that you won’t sell it…
Thank you for your suggestions. Interesting: Brigitte told me that until 1998 Goldie’s Overton whistles had larger holes than the current standard version. Colin started to make a version with smaller holes only after 1998 and this version has become the standard one today.
Before ordering the whistle, I will call them and listen to both versions.
Once Colin has made a batch of whistles he will let you choose one that fits your taste and playing style. Colin and Brigitte are wonderful people to deal with so I’m sure you won’t regret ordering one directly from them.
People have been doing pretty satisfactory note bending with standard hole Overtons for years, have they not
Well, not so many years: according to what I was told, before 1998 the Standard Overton had large holes…so it would be interesting to know if the “classic” Overton whistle is the one with large holes or the one with smaller holes…
There should be a new batch of tunable and non-tunable Overton low Ds ready at the end of February and for sure I will call Brigitte and Goldie and listen to different versions (standard and large holes).
The large hole is based on Bernard Overton’s original design. Colin’s current design is imho an improvement. I am not sure that Colin makes large-hole low Ds unless one is specifically requested.
Yes Brigitte told me that Colin makes both the standard low D and the “large hole” one, based on the original
Bernard Overton design, but revised by him. Actually, there are some large hole tunable low Ds available right now.
Save on shipping, and buy both.