I just got a brand new Overton low D (Colin Goldie). The low D note seems to be weaker than the rest of the notes. It takes a little more breath control than the other notes to keep it in check. I can push low D note fairly hard before it jumps to the octave higher but it gets all distorted/raspy sounding. So to keep a clear sounding low D note I have to blow real easy and that makes the volume a little quieter than the others. I don’t have this problem with my Susato low D, I can push the low D note pretty hard before it starts getting raspy and it has plenty of volume. I only have a couple hours of play time on it so maybe I need more time with it. Is this normal for Overton low D whistles?
No I don’t think that it is normal. On the opposite, Overton low D whistles are famous for their rich deep low D note (I had two of them and bopth were great on both high and low notes).
Have you bought it used ?
If it’s clogged, it is normal, but if you warm the whistle up a bit, and occasionally blow out excessive water from the fipple, iut should be allright.
Yes, my Overton clogs quite easily and needs to be warmed. The warmer, the better. Don’t put in on a fire or anything, mind 
Miragliuolo, I’d add that it took me a while to get the best out of my Overton. I was initially disappointed by it, but came to realise that that was down to me. It played differently to my Burke Viper, for example, and took some more work to get a good tone. It wa worth it, though 
I’ll second what Geraint said, Overtons can take a while to get used to, especially if you’re used to playing something else. I regrettably sold my first Overton low D shortly after I bought it because I kept getting frustrated with it clogging and the lower notes breaking too easily. I bought another one a few months later and I had no problems with it once I figured out how to play it properly. If you bought it brand new there probably isn’t anything wrong with it though, I would just keep playing it for a while. Hope that helps,
Bill
I have been sitting here playing my Overton low D trying to duplicate what your saying. The only way I can make mine play as your saying is to let some of my fingers not make a proper seal.
I use the pipers grip and the first pad of each ring finger covers a hole. Then the second pad of the remaining fingers cover the other holes. Sometimes if my hands are dry it is neccasery to put on some hand lotion to soften the skin to make a good seal.
Start at C all holes open than play down each note to the bottom D you may find one or more fingers not sealing, and that will cause unwanted sounds. ‘‘Corn Huskers’’ hand lotion works very well, and has no scent.
The whistle is new. As far as letting it warm up I live in the desert where it is in the 90’s right now. Dry skin could be a factor. I think I may need more time with the whistle.
I’d agree with giving it some time. Colin is a master maker and player and a wonderful chap. I’m sure he sent you a fabulous tooter. Just take the time to get to know it. You could contact him as well. He is remarkable source of great playing tips.
Best,
Doc
Thanks for all the great input folks. I have gotten a nice loud and clear low D note out of it a few times, so it must be me. It seems like it’s more of a breath thing for me. It seems like the low D note is more sensitive than the others. It takes a light steady stream of air where the other notes can handle a little more air.
Yes, as Pyroh first said, it sounds like clogging-as soon as too much water collects in the windway, your low notes will be the first to go. And as you observed, Miragliuolo, sometimes that low note needs an easy touch to get the most solid note from it, with increasing pressure applied as you go to get the best long note if you are holding it. And especially if it is starting to clog. Then again, sometimes a good breath pulse gets you a solid note there-for when you have to hit it quickly for a shorter note.
It just takes a while to get to know each whistle and how to play it best. Enjoy the ride!
Barry
As I read the original post, it made me wonder… Tommy’s comments are spot on. However, I wonder if the ‘distorted/raspy’ sound you describe could not be a bit of the ‘cosmic drainpipe’ quality, for which Overtons are justly praised. If that quality is not quite realized - possibly because of misplaced, dry fingers, and the lot, I can see where the sound could be described by the words you have used. When that effect is realized correctly, the sound quality is glorious. Control is the key…
Practice… Best to you.
Byll
Yep, makes sense Byll, what Tommy said about not covering the holes-if it’s that dry where you are, Miragliuolo, it could be affecting the seal your fingers are making on the whistle-heck, sometimes I have trouble covering the holes just if I’m not concentrating on it, and it surely affects the tone.
Though if you are getting some condensation build up in the windway (you’ll be able to tell when you blow it clear with your finger over the window), you might want to douse your fipple in some soapy water (dish soap) and let it dry befor playing again and see if that doesn’t help.
Let us know how you make out!
Barry
I put masking tape on all six holes and made sure that they were all sealed.
I made sure that the wind way was clear and that the whistle was warmed up.
Then I just worked on getting a nice strong low D note, trying all different types
of breath variations. The only thing that worked was a very light breath. As I increased the breath the note started breaking up. The low D note was still less volume than the rest of the notes. I returned the whistle from where I bought it so that the nice fellow can check it out for me to see if I’m crazy or not. If it’s faulty then he has another that he will replace it with. Thanks again for all the replies.
Mike