Review: Alba Low D

Whistle
1

I just received this Alba low D whistle a bit over a week ago, and am already having a bit of a relationship with it. Here is my review.

Mechanical:
I am able to reach all the fingerholes without resorting to the piper’s grip, but that bottom one is a reach. My hands are smallish, but not as small as most women’s - I think many ladies might have a bit of a problem reaching without the piper’s grip. However, it is manageable. A slight increase in the diameter of the middle fingerhole, and decrease in the bottom hole, would make the reach more comfortable, as long as it didn’t cause problems with tuning or intonation.

Air requirements:
Moderate to high. I think this whistle is more appropriate for airs than jigs and reels, unless you’re a really fast breather or have better than average lung capacity. “Inis Oirr” sounds great on it, but I was having to grab quick sips (breaking my rhythm) in “The Kesh” jig. I suppose that, with some practice and planning, I could get through a jig or reel without messing things up re. rhythm, but it would take more practice time than I would like. That said…

Volume:
The Alba low D is quite loud for a low whistle, perhaps one reason why it has the air requirement it does. I was impressed. I believe one could cut through a session quite nicely with this instrument, even overcoming fiddlers. Very nice break from my own “quiet” whistles. :smiley:

Sound:
In a word, sweet! Very pure whistle tone, some very slightly gravelly chiff beneath the low notes, blending into the tone as the pitch rises. You can “feel” the music in your hands, as well! The whistle is completely and perfectly on key through 2+ octaves, a good thing, as it’s not tunable.

Fit & Finish:
Impeccable. Lovely satin spun-look alumin(i)um body with a polished head and a beautiful press-fit on the fipple plug, which is a synthetic. This is one impressive and very pretty instrument. My only argument is on the aesthetics of having that big blue “D” prominent on the front, 2 inches above the bell. I like ‘em on the back! :smiley: I’m even lovin’ the logo!

Conclusions:
Stacey has produced a wonderful instrument, yet again. I love it, and will play it often. If you’re in the market for a low D and want one with a voice both sweet and authoritatively loud, this is the whistle for you!

Bill Whedon, “serpent”
Serpent Music

2

Could you please describe more in detail the head design, just for general enlightenment?

I’d also like personnally to learn, or deduct, how it differs from earlier Alba low D’s

3

The head is cylindrcal with a cutaway allowing a comfortable beak. It is a press or sweat fit onto the body tube. The windway is curved, matching a milled blade in the body nicely. The window is approximately square, except for the curve of the blade, and appears to be a bit over 1/3 the body diameter. How it differs from earlier Alba Low Ds, I do not know, having not ever seen one. There are photographs of this instrument or a very similar one being produced, on the Alba website at:
http://www.albawhistles.com
I hope this will answer your questions!
serpent

4

One specific question you can answer looking down the window.

Is the plug normal, flat, or is it prolongated by sort of “ears” each side of the window?

5

I’ll shoot some closeups of it tonight and post them to my website for you and anyone else to peer at. I’ll post the URL in this thread. :smiley:
serpent

6

Zoob, the pictures Stacey has on her site show the very whistle I have. The picture looking at the end of the beak, shows the construction nicely. I’ll still do pictures if you or anyone really, really wants 'em. Just tell me what you want, what you really, really want…

:smiley:
serpent

7

Wow! Are Stacy’s whistle making pages cool or what?

8

:thumbsup: What a nice man that serpent is

9

I love the one of the hog mill running on it’s side! :smiley:
serpent