Greetings,
Any opinions or comparisons between the W. Sweet Resonance and the Onyx low D whistles would be greatly appreciated.
Is the Onyx an improvement on the Resonance?
Also on the Resonance, does anyone have the rosewood one? If so, do you like it. The pics look very pink on the sweetheart site.
Cheers.
If you ask Walt, he’ll give you all the specs on the Onyx, as well as answer any questions about differences between it and the resonance. I think the plan was to take what was good about the resonance and build on it. I love my Onyx. I also live where it is very dry, so a wooden whistle would be a source of worry. It doesn’t blow quite as easily as the Reyburn I had. I’m liking that because I can lean into the lower notes without having it break unexpectedly into the upper register. That being said, it moves smoothly into the upper register. Since it is 3-piece, I can rotate the lower 3 holes slightly to facilitate reach. My hands are very skinny, and a bit arthritic.
Deb
I have a Resonance in Dymondwood (which Walt no longer uses) and I LOVE it. Sold a Copeland low D to buy it, if that tells you anything.
Don’t overly worry about care of a wooden whistle. The care is simple and common sense.
The color of Rosewood will vary considerably from piece to piece, batch to batch. In time, as the wood absorbs oil and ages, it will probably darken. Walt is very accommodating. I probably shouldn’t speak for him,but if you send him your color preferences, I’ll bet he’ll try to meet them.
You’ve all probably heard me say by now that I think plasitc is the only way to go for pennywhistles. It’s because wood does not obey me, and I would rather be remembered for lasting playability than lasting beautify, if I’m forced to choose.
The ONYX is the next generation beyond the Resonance. I think the tone and playability are better, but you need someone’s opinion besides mine.
The Sweetheart website shows the rosewood Resonance, and that garish pink color is not reality. We had some trouble with a budget camera. Any of the guys in the shop would be glad to help you choose between light rosewood or dark rosewood.
Walt
Spent several hours this evening with the Onyx and a book of slow airs. I love both the way this whistle looks and plays. It feels nice and solid without being too heavy. The more I play it, the more I know I made the right choice in ordering it. I’m also very fond of its little brother the Black Pearl.
Deb