Hi, this is my first posting although I’ve been browsing this site for 2 years or more.
I have a Pat O’Riordan high D (Traveler model), dated 2006, that I bought on ebay. I love its tone and ease of playability but it does have two quirks:
(1) Low D sounds slightly flat and definitely comes up flat on an electronic tuner. Try a bit more puff and it shifts into the upper octave (nice that it does this so easily though - I’m not complaining!)
(2) not a problem as such, but to get a true note C natural on this whistle has to be played like this:
OXXXXO rather than OXXXOX which works on every other whistle I’ve had (with the exception of the high D susato which temperamentally requires OXXOOO). If I try to play the OXXXOX fingering it’s horrendously sharp, sounding halfway between a C natural and a C sharp.
OXXOOO is even worse. I don’t like half-holing so that wouldn’t be a solution for me.
Just having trouble especially with faster tunes in G or E minor when I’m used to the other fingering. Having said that, the sharpness is not that noticeable in faster tunes when played with other instruments.
Has anyone else had these problems on an O’Riordan? I’m slightly disappointed considering what I paid for it.
I’ve never heard of any O’Riordan having those issues - but they are hand made and some allowance should be made for variability I expect.
That being said, if you’re not happy with the whistle as it is now, I would contact Pat directly and ask him about the trouble you have. He may have some insight and would be the first, last and ONLY one I’d think qualified to work on your new possesion.
Your honesty is commendable. The O’Riordan D that I’m familiar with isn’t perfect either (stiff/shrill high b). Neither are my Copelands, Chieftains, Overton, Burke, Generations (tweaked), Susatos, etc. Imperfect but they’re all still a joy to play, so enjoy.
Thanks guys. I agree it’s a joy to play despite the things I’ve mentioned. And it is great to have a collector’s item - I reckon I might be the only person in New Zealand to have one.
I’ve looked for Pat’s mailing address/email address but so far no luck. Can anyone help?
Thanks. However “An Ghaoth Aneas” is the wind from the south - the warm wind that blows over Ireland. Ceol Aneas is a music workshop in the South Island of NZ - music from the south. I know very little Gaelic and would freely admit I could well be mistaken.
