Habo
On reading your opening post my first thought was that you would probably be happy with a Burke D.
If you want a Chieftain that is ‘mellow’ in both octaves trade your ‘D’ for the delightful Chieftain ‘A’. It has a beautiful flute like tone and is very easy to play.
OK Guys, I finally got feed up my Chieftain whiste, and mostly because of the “D” in the second octive.
I traded down to a Dixon Alloy Whistle … and what do you know… I am not happy with it. All the notes are great except the low “D”.
I know I need to under blow this whistle, but the low “D” just doesn’t sound good.
I think I want to invest in a Burke, but I sure wish I could try one before I bought it.
I thought the problem with blowing a whistle would be in learning the fingerings and embellishments … I never thought I would have problems with the oddities of the instruments.
Is there an instrument of choice by the professionals?
sure, most of 'em have favorites
bet you were hoping for a consensus 
Well, we know what the best ones play
Sorry, just couldn’t resist
Well, I got a laugh out of that post … and sometimes the best thing we can do is just chill out, and then work at it again when we get calmed down.
Well, at least I think so.
Peter - clearly that lady has no idea what she’s doing. I mean look, her hands are even backwards! 
BTW, do you know when that photo was taken? Seems I kept reading that she was playing Sindt whistles (but I guess we never leave our roots).
Jason
I took it last tuesday week, loads more over on the other forum next door : here.
ack, Peter…no fair!!!
she knows how to play
I’ll bet the sound of a diamond whistle would be multi-faceted and brilliant.
I’m still trying to figure out why a carrot whistle doesn’t sound quite like a carrot, well that is until you start eating it.
Yes, I forgot to mention Delrin in my materials summary. I’ve heard Delrin whistles that sound great. Thanks for the reminder.
Also forgot to mention glass in my summary. I once saw a glass whistle (can’t remember where). No one allowed to play it so have no idea what it sounds like. Clear, maybe? Sadly, I’ve never been to the Waterford Crystal factory, but I’d be willing to bet they have a glass whistle on display. Anyone been there who can say yay or nay?
BTW, since Chieftain and Overton are often compared (unjustly, I might add), I thought I’d mention here that I recently bought Doc Jones’ Colin Goldie Overton hi D and it’s wonderful. Requires much less air/push than my Chieftain, with nice clear notes in both octaves. Not quite as loud or “fat” as the Chieftain, but a lovely, full, round clear tone with just a bit of chiff and certainly easier to play. Second octave D is nice and clear. Easy to hit notes clearly up to the 3rd octave D, although only one tune I do hits a 3rd octave D at the very end…and the Overton hits it cleanly. Can’t get there with the Chieftain.
I agree that what Habo would probably be most happy with overall is a Burke. They’re all good…brass, aluminum, or composite and it’s indeed a rarity if you ever get a “bad” one. Even if you do, Mike is so good to work with, he’ll take care of it. Unless you find a used one, I’d suggest ordering direct from Mike. Burkes are normally very clear and responsive, very accurate, and easy to play. I have three Burkes and love them. But don’t think just because it’s a Burke, you won’t have to back off on the bell note (low D). Like most whistles, Burkes are sensitive on the low end and you just have to get used to it. Sensitive bell notes are just something whistlers have to deal with. Granted, some are more sensitive than others. My Dixon Trad D is soooo sensitive on the low D, I have to barely breathe into the mouthpiece to get a clear note. But once you know that and get used to it, it’s playable and you work around it. I’ve found most trads are like this…Gens, Oaks, Feadogs, Waltons, etc. The low D on my Burke narrow bore aluminum & brass and my composite C are all pretty sensitive, requiring some control to get a clear note. But again, I’m aware of that, have adjusted, and don’t worry about it.
BTW, the bell note on the Overton is pretty strong but will still break if pushed just a bit too much. I still have to back off on the bell note.
DC
First, we have to define “professionals”. To me, a professional is anyone who earns money playing. That can mean someone playing whistle in a pub band to the most famous of whistlers.
Each professional player has different requirements and they play all sorts of whistles…whatever makes them happy and suites their style. I’ve seen Paddy Maloney play his old beat up Generation with tape all over it as well his Sindt. I’ve also seen him play a Burke and other whistles that didn’t look familiar.
Joanie Madden plays O’Riordans and Burkes, both very easy blowers. She said she likes the aluminum Burkes.
Brian Finnegan of Flook, one of the most amazing players I’ve heard, plays Overtons. He’s the reason I got an Overton because I love the sound of his whistles. But then he could make a tree branch with holes in it sound great.
Believe it or not, many “pros” use Susatos. I used to listen to a band in Ft. Lauderdale named Curfa consisting of a brother and sister, Eammon and Roisin Dillon from Belfast, a great guitarist (Roisin’s hubby), and a female singer/bodhran player. BTW, Roisin is now Cherish the Ladies’ fiddle player. Anyway, Eammon is a fantastic whistle player and uses Susatos. He said most of the whistle players in bands in Ireland play Susatos and I’ve heard that from several other musicians from Ireland. They’re very clear, easy to play, good volume and dead-on accurate. Kevin Crawford tears up “Rathlin Island” on a Susato D. You can watch the video on the Kerry Whistles site at http://www.kerrywhistles.com/dl.php?group=19#. Scroll down the list to “Susato High D_Kevin Crawford_Lunasa”. Click “View” and enjoy!
Michael Eskin plays Copelands, Burkes, Overtons, Sindts.
Another amazing whistler and flute player, Mike McGoldrick, I’ve seen play a Generation and Overtons.
Not known as a whistle player, Sharon Shannon plays an O’Riordan…and she’s an excellent whistle player. Here’s a clip on YouTube of her playing “Rathlin Island”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOACyqQTFRY. Starts off a bit shaky but once she gets going, it’s really good.
I still think the best way for you to go overall is Burke, probably a session brass or aluminum, or the composite. Personally, I prefer the brass session D. The most important thing is to get a whistle you basically like, concentrate on that whistle, learn its positives and negatives…and learn to play it. I agree the Chieftains are difficult and certainly not for beginners.
DC
Arnie is right on.
I want to thank everyone for so much good information. I traded my Chieftain high “D” for a Dixon high D aluminum model dx002. At first I was unhappy with the bell note, but it is definitely getting better. If I can ever put enough money together I am hoping to buy a Burke.
I really just want to thank each of you who gave such lengthy and lucid replies. I really was surprised that anyone would go to so much bother.
Thanks a 1,000,000
Habo
Standard trouble-shooting technique…
try playing a friends Chieftain. If the result is the same, then the design is not suited to your “old style” of playing. Each instrument has family traits as well as individual traits.
If you find that your instrument is “A-Typical”(strange), I suggest the services of a Tweaker like Jerry Freeman etc. A voicing and labium edge can be adjusted for optimum performance. The bore end hole can be reduced in diameter on the lathe with a steadyrest and planisher for better backpressure in the upper registers.
There are many ways to train an unruly whistle. Every professional woodwind player takes their instrument to a pro for adjustsments because each player is as unique as their instrument.