Sorry for posting all these different topics on more or less the same issue, folks…
I’m looking to buy an Overton Low D, and try to find out where to get it. It seems like ordering from the makers would be the best anyhow. But which maker? Dont they make the same whistles? Colin (in Germany) says he has a list of 30 weeks (yipes), but that Bernard could do it in much less time.
Why is this so? Is this an issue of who makes the better whistle?
Cheers,
Eivind
You can buy a B.Overton from Soar Valley Music direct.
0044 (0)1509 269629.
They have some in stock,I was there yesterday and played them.
Hope this has been of help.
Phil.
Well, not really <:-)
I wonder which one to buy from…BERNARD or COLIN?
Two different makers; can they really make the same whistle? So I am really looking for other members’ experience with one or the other. If anybody know anything about BOTH of them for comparison; that would be great!
Eivind 
Well, I don’t know if they can make the same whistle, but they both produce extremely nice instruments. I have tried/owned both Bernard-made and Colin-made Overtons and they have all been good.
My understanding is that Bernard mainly sells his whistles through a couple of shops in England (eg. Hobgoblin), whereas Colin mainly sells directly to people. Colin is also on the internet and he accepts credit cards, which might ease the process of purchasing.
From what I hear, Colin has done more experimentation on the Overton models lately, for example by designing easy-reach low Ds, “modal” D/C whistles, etc. My guess is Bernard sticks to the original design. (but I could easily be wrong!)
So, if you’re in a hurry, I’d say contact one of the British shops (Soar Valley, Hobgoblin) and find out what they’ve got. Otherwise, place an order with Colin.
Jens
Here’s my suggestion: Buy one of Bernard’s whistles now, since you can probably get one through a shop immediately, and place an order for one from Colin. When the whistle from Colin arrives, you’ll have one of each - compare them, keep the one you like the most and sell the other.
Having played only one of Bernard’s whistles, and many of Colin’s, I can tell you there are differences, but without playing more of Bernard’s whistles I wouldn’t like to get into the specifics. I can tell you that the Bernard Overton Soprano D I played was an absolutely fabulous instrument.
Loren
I’ve only played BO originals and they’re superb. Bernard also now does a low D with a smaller 6th hole making reach far easier.
Regarding the two makers, BO is now in his 70s and has licensed CG to take over which is probably why CG has a longer waiting list. However, I think you’ll find there’s little or no difference between the two. Loren’s suggestion is a good one.
Hi, if you want a B Overton low D I would recommend you try Phil Brown at http://www.signofdefiance.co.uk/bigwhistle or http://www.bigwhistle.co.uk I was talking to him recently and he has both standard and short reach in stock. Phil plays B Overton whistles himself but I’m sure he could advise you on any subtle differences. He’s a really nice guy It has to be worth a phone call.
I own a BO Overton Low D which was purchased approx. 10 years ago, and I recently played a recently made CG Overton Low D. The BO has a slightly thinner guage tubing. (He might not be making them like this now, I don’t know). The BO sounded slightly more “hollow/haunting”. The CG maybe could be played stronger/louder. I felt the vibrations in my fingers on the BO more than the CG. Personally, I preferred the BO, but I might just be used to it.
Whats the issue with the “short reach”, then? A smaller hole makes the reach easier? What happens to the tone then? Part of the reason I am choosing an Overton is because they are said to produce great volume across the entire range, as well as staying in tune.
I currently play a Tony Dixon Low D, and find it not loud enough; besides a bit unprecise in tuning. [Oops, must mention it is a GREAT instrument for a beginner! The tone is absolutely LOVELY and the price is very nice ]
I also hope to keep some breathiness that the Overtons are said to have. Guess I’ll have to call Bernard and perhaps Phil Brown and ask them.
THanks for all comments; anything else to say, please rant away, it’s really good help.
BTW, hi Loren, and thanks for the good advice regarding HMT last year 
All the best,
Eivind
Eivind,
Hello Glad I could help with HMT advice.
Steve’s comments may be accurate, the tubing on his BO may very will be thinner as the tubing wall thickness and/or diameter does vary slightly from batch to batch (so I am told). However, I don’t think Steve’s comments help one choose a new whistle because it’s highly unlikely that Bernard has any of that exact same tubing left in stock after 10 years
Regarding a smaller bottom hole on a whistle, of course there is a bit of a trade off for the added reach, the main details being:
A smaller bottom hole makes it more difficult to half hole an accurate D#/Eb note, and when you do hit it, the note will be a bit weak. For some reason I end up running into tunes with this note (Crested Hens, Roslin Castle for example), so I tend to notice this, however many people may not.
One may find that the E note on a whistle with a smaller bottom hole is somewhat weaker and easier to overblow than the surrounding notes on the whistle. I find this less noticable on Overtons, but it’s still there to some small degree if the bottom hole is very small.
Hope this helps.
Loren
Actually, this does help in the sense that now I know I wont buy a smaller 6th hole. I immediately come to think of one tune I play that has this D#. And since it is a ‘leading’ note, it is very important that it is well-pronounced and accurate (personal opinion). Dont remember the name of the tune…
Thanks,
Eivind
Just about any Low D you buy will have a “Smaller” bottom hole, and this isn’t necessarily bad, it’s only when the hole gets really small that it’s a problem. I’d say a bottom hole of 9mm or greater would be good. If you go all the way up to 10mm you’ll get more power, but it’s going to be a long stretch I should think.
Colin does make a Big Hole Low D that has a large bottom hole, however this whistle can be a challenge to play if you don’t have fairly large hands.
Probably best at this point to ask the shops who stock Bernard’s whistles if they could measure the bottom hole for whatever whistles they have in stock, then send Colin and E-mail asking what options he offers, if you check around enough I’m sure you can find exactly what you want.
One last thing, larger holes have their drawbacks too: A low D with really large holes may sound fantastic on slower tunes but will be tougher to play fast tunes on and may not have as much “snap” or “Pop” to the ornaments when you play them. It’s all about trade-offs.
Loren
Just wanted to mention one other nice thing about Colin. I ordered a LowD last January – when I spoke with Colin, he told me that when he gets to my order, he will call me and play a couple of whistles for me, to let me choose which tone I prefer. I think this is pretty darn nice. I’m very much looking forward to getting the Low D – I lucked into a Goldie made G Overton, and it’s great!
~ Starr