Ok, I promise this will be the last annoying newbie question… 
Are there any inherent disadvantages or differences with tunable low whistles (as opposed to non-tunable models) - specifically talking about a tunable Overton Low D?
I don’t need it to be tunable but it’s the only model I could get my hands on right now, just want to make sure I am not in for any unexpected surprises.
Again, thanks for all the great feedback.
NO SIR! I have to say that I only wished that the Chieftain Low D I have had for over a year now was tunable. Get one! (tunable that is!)
Eric
Hi,
Get the tuneable, if you don’t you’ll eventually wish you had. I too bought a non-tuneable Chieftain, I really liked it but sold it to get a tuneable low D.
Cheers, Mac
Like Marcus I am a “newbie” and I have a couple of Low D’s on order, both of the non-tunable variety. Partly, this is because I misunderstood “tunable”: I thought tunable whistles could be tuned to a different key and I didn’t think I needed that.
So, I’ll have to make do with my non-tunables. But to clarify, I believe the tunable feature is preferable only if one is going to play with other musicians whose instruments are not tunable, is it not? If Marcus intends to play on his own for a while rather than in sesssions (as I do), a non-tunable should be ok.
Finally, Mac, you say you “really liked” your Chieftain Low D. What is it then that prompted you to sell it and replace it with a tunable model?
Thanks for all the helpful advise. I went for the tunable - not that there was much choice I think i was extremely lucky to find one in stock in a store.
You’re not kidding! In what part of the country was that store? Is there a story behind the whistle (was it returned maybe)?
Hi pthouron,
I found that when I was playing along with a mate (just for fun) it was easier for me to adjust my tuning when the whistle was cold to suit his guitar and continue to make adjustments as the whistle warmed up, than it was for him to have to retune to me. Why did I sell the Chieftain if I liked it so much? Well to be honest my statement wasn’t 100% accurate, what I actually did was buy a Kerry-Pro and then sold the Chieftain. They didn’t sound exactly the same but close enough that it didn’t make sense to keep both.
Cheers, Mac
Got you… I’ll have to do more research next time! It seems a lot of recording artists are photographed playing non-tunables though… I guess I’ll have to figure it out from experience. My two low D’s are on their way anyway and it’ll be awhile yet until I have the chops (and/or nerve) to play along with somebody!!! 
Maybe you’ll nver use the tuning slide.
But skipping a good deal on an Overton just because it IS tuneable seems to me like rejecting a car because the right sunscreen includes a “courtesy” mirror.
Maybe you’ll never need it, but someone on the ride might…
I bought the whistle at “Song of the Sea”, which is located in Maine. I am not aware of a story behind the whistle - I think I was really just incredibly lucky to get the last one they had. According to the person I spoke to (who was very knowledgable) this just happened to be the last one from their latest shipment from Colin Goldie.
I guess the Whistle Gods were smiling upon me 
And now off to some more practicing… (Hector the Hero is really a lovely tune)