Yesterday,I took proud possession of an ALBA LOW ‘A’ whistle!
What a monster!
I was somewhat daunted by the size of the instrument when I first opened the box,but soon found that it was very playable,thanks to Alba’s ergonomics,by even small handed,skinny fingered folk like myself!
Remember when you got your first low ‘D’ after playing smaller whistles-getting used to the finger stretch,maybe having to use pipers grip for the first time?
Well yesterday was a bit like that for me! You have NO option but to use ‘Pipers grip’ for this instrument,and at first I had some slight finger cramps after playing for a while,but this will improve with time-everything is ‘relative’ my low D’s and low ‘C’ Whistles seemed no problem at all after a stint on the low ‘A’!
Here’s some raw data on the size of the LOW ‘A’
Total length: 65.5 cms
Distance between finger holes (edge to edge)
Hole ONE to Hole TWO - 37mm
Hole TWO to Hole THREE- 35mm
Hole THREE to Hole FOUR -71.5mm
Hole FOUR to Hole FIVE - 19mm
Hole FIVE to Hole SIX - 46mm
‘Median’ Distance from bottom of 'window to hole ONE-31.4mm (tunable whistle).
HOLE DIAMETERS
ONE - 9.5mm
TWO- 10.5mm
THREE- 8.5mm
FOUR- 11.5mm
FIVE- 12mm
SIX- 8.5mm
Note the small distance between holes FOUR and Five,also the very ‘do-able’ diameter(12mm) of Hole FIVE.
LOOKS
Brushed Aluminium finish,knurled outer band on tuning slide,clean,‘functional’ lines (what more do you want from an Aluminium whistle?) .
SOUND
Here’s the rub. Like all(BIG) Aluminium Whistles,the Low ‘A’ needs to be properly warmed up (as it was a summers day,this was no problem).Tuning is good,when the instrument is warmed up,compared to a tuner on my P.C.
The bottom end has that ‘Cosmic drainpipe’ sound (let’s hope Overton haven’t copywrite on that phrase!),easy to control dynamically.
Pretty easy blowing,I got up to second octave B straight off,with practice some 3rd octave notes may be doable.Balance between octaves is VERY good.
This is a fine addition to my whistle stable.ALBA produce very playable,serious whistles at very competative prices.
I’m EXTREMELY pleased with this LOW ‘A’-it just cries out to be PLAYED!
Another WINNER from ALBA!
I’m not so sure…if you look at Kevin’s post very closely with a pair of RayBan sunglasses on (they have to be yellow in color too, btw), you can see, albeit very faintly, strange encrypting. I think it says something like “Made in China” :roll:
(for the record, I am in no way attempting to imply that Stacy’s whistles are made in China. Just wanted to make that part clear )
I just scrolled down the board for the last few days messages,and I was highly surprised to see the return of this topic!
I DID get my low ‘A’ direct from Stacey-if fact,it is a Low ‘A’ BODY which Stacey retro fitted to my Alba tunable low ‘C’.
My original idea was to also get a low Bb body too (I’m sure there’s a joke in there along the lines of Charles Atlas’s “You too can have a body like mine.” comic book advert ,but I digress),However,Stacey was somewhat snowed under with orders at the time,and it sort of fell by the wayside.
I have to admit that I haven’t played it much recently-but then I haven’t been playing much whistle full stop recently.
‘Heretically’,I started playing Recorders,and listening to Baroque and some Ren. music(!).
However,since attending the Newcastle upon Tyne Irish Festival last week(specifically concerts by Tony McMahon and Steve Cooney,and Paddy Keenan and Tommy O’Sullivan-yes,I did hear Paddy’s Grinter low ‘F’! ),I have had a new lease of interest in ITM,and plan to attend a local Uilleann Pipers’ group that I found out about!!
A bitl ike an Alto Recorder!
Michael Grinter is a Recorder maker-apparently he throws his rejects -stick like-for his dog!
Paddy mentioned that Michael had made it for him in a day,and it was cracked.
I must admit that I preferred the sound of the O’Brien whistles that Paddy played.
)
,but I digress),However,Stacey was somewhat snowed under with orders at the time,and it sort of fell by the wayside.