Nice try, Richard. Sorry, but the MK still has its’ place in my arsenal. Horses for courses…and all that. Each has its’ tonal character that the other can’t match. I’m really into the tone of the Reyburn. They do have similar characteristics as to how they play, with the Reyburn being somewhat easier to obtain and hold the upper second octave. Right now, I am mostly playing the Reyburn. You really should get one. I know what you like in a low D. You will not be disappointed. It is really a giant step forward for Ronaldo.
I just happened to revisit the Reyburn whistle site this afternoon and discovered Ronaldo is offering yet another version of his low D. He calls it the “low De”. The little “e” denoted edgy. As the new low D has a round, full flute-like tone, the De has an edgy tone, more like the MK. Mind you, I have not tried the new model but I called and asked Ronaldo about it. He had finished a small batch of the low D whistles and just started making the low De models as well. I had called to tell him I had recorded some tracks so he could use one of the Low D for his site and see how the new models were being recieved. I noticed that Pancelticpiper had not yet ordered one of them. Richard, what is holding you up? You should be all over one of these. I want to add that the one I have honks on the low end. It may not have as strong a bottom D as a Viper, which costs in the upper octave, but it honks none the less. It certainly is stronger on the bottom D than the MK, but not as strong as the viper. The high end is glorious. I have had nothing but praise from other musicians about the tone of my new low D, especially from players of MK low D’s, who have been very favorably impressed by my Reyburn, with some definately going to order one.