Edit: this model has, for some reason, been discontinued. In fact, it was changed almost immediately after I first posted this. I have no idea why. Read on, but know that this review applies to a whistle that is no longer being produced.
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I love my Reyburn Standard Bore Low D whistle. In fact, it’s the only Low D whistle I have. I have said before, and I will say again, that it has a resonant and beautiful tone and it is easy to play, even while reclining. I cheat and use my little finger on the last hole sometimes. I can play it with the correct finger, too, though, when I am feeling ambitious. In any case, it’s a delightful whistle.
When Ronaldo announced that he was coming out with a high d whistle, I was excited, but then Steve Jones reviewed it and said it had a breathy tone (which he likes and I do not), and I was disappointed. I heard the sound sample on Ronaldo’s website and it supported Steve’s review. I asked Ronaldo why he was making a high d with seemingly opposite characteristics of his Low D and he told me that he wanted a louder whistle that wasn’t at all screechy. Ok. Then he offered to make one with my desired characteristics (basically a more pure tone) for me to try and he said if I liked it I could send him a check and if I didn’t like it, I could return it. So I had nothing to lose. I told him to go ahead with it.
I’ve had the whistle for a week now (and I sent him a check for $100 about 6 days ago). The whistle looks lovely, basically the same as the high d pictures on his website (see the link below). I think he treated it to make it tarnish-resistant, because it still shines beautifully and it doesn’t have the usual intolerable (to my nose) brass smell. The thing that strikes me most about the whistle is that so many people wish out loud for a high end whistle that plays the way we all imagine a perfect Generation whistle to play, and this is the first whistle I have played that I believe accomplishes this task.
The tuning is fine. With all thin tube whistles, there is some play in each note, and when you get to know the whistle, playing in tune becomes effortless. The fipple is totally innovative. If you look at a Susato or a Burke, you can see that the blade is part of the top of the bottom tube, but even on those, there is some thickness that is sanded at an angle to create the blade. This whistle has only a thin brass tube, beveled very slightly, forming the blade. It is fascinating to me that such a simple construction can create such a pleasing and reliable tone. The tuning slide is graceful, a perfect fit.
The tone of the whistle falls perfectly (for me) between breathy and pure. It is not as pure as a Sindt or O’Riordan, but it is not anywhere near as breathy as a Sweetone or the like. In fact, there is some play in the tone as well. If you want to blow harder for a very slightly more breathy tone, you can pull the tuning slide out a little and be in tune. If you want to blow a little more softly and have a slightly more pure tone, you can put the slide in a little more and be in tune. It is airy enough to sound like a whistle (instead of a recorder) and it is pure enough to be totally pleasing to my ears and lungs. It sings easily and the volume is perfectly balanced between octaves. I don’t have to hold back breath for the bottom notes and the top notes are not ear-splitting or unpleasant at all. It is more session-ready than a Generation, by far.
In conclusion, the NEW Reyburn high d whistle is unpretentious, attractive and successful, and I recommend it highly.
