I’ve been searching through forum threads but I’ve decided it’s high time I post a question of my own:
I’ve had a trusty little Clarke for a while now, but it’s time to upgrade to a low D. I’m particularly looking for one that 1) Is around the $200 USD range (or less - prefer not to go too much higher than 200) and 2) has decently sized and spaced holes. I’m a female who has relatively narrow fingers - I don’t have nice fat fingers for adequately covering the holes like most people seem to. I was originally looking at getting a Burke because I love their sound and my favorite whistler has them, but I heard they’re known for a bit of a stretch and bigger holes, so I started to look at others…
Also I’d like it to be tuneable.
Right now the Alba, Dixon, Chieftain V5, and the Kerry Optima low Ds are the ones floating around in my potentials list. Opinions on those? For finger spacing, hole size, air requirement, and volume? Or if there are any other models worth looking into that would fit this criteria, I’d look into those as well.
I have no experience with low D whistles, but I will do my best to offer a suggestion. I’ve seen a YouTube video of a young lady playing a Shearwater low D. Shearwater offers a tunable alloy low D for £91.95 (about 127.24 USD). If the shipping wouldn’t be outrageous, that may be a worthwhile option.
Keep in mind that I’m just putting that out there as another option. As I obviously haven’t played one, other members will be better qualified to help you determine if the Shearwater fits your needs.
This question comes up from time to time. Sadly there’s no magic solution. It’s sort of like the old saying “you get what you pay for”- with Low D’s the more you move the fingerholes from their ideal positions the more tone and performance you sacrifice.
This picture is worth a thousand words- here are Low D’s from several makers. Everyone wants easier-to-finger Low D’s, but the makers are constrained by acoustics.
That all being said, all those whistles above have a straight bore except the Dixon all-plastic conical-bore Low D (second from top). The conical bore allows the lower-hand fingerholes to be made closer together. Its combination of closer-set holes, narrower tube, small holes, and light weight make it a joy to hold in the hands.
The other solution is to have keys. Susato makes (made?) Low D’s with keys so that small-handed people can easily play them.
Check out this excellent video demonstrating keyed and keyless Susatos
I had an Alba F whistle which I found the right finger stretch to be as much as my low Ds from Phil Hardy and Colin Goldie… The stretch is similar for the Chieftain and the Goldie, Chieftain having slightly bigger holes but it wasn’t a problem.
I don’t have a Dixon now but remember it being really easy to cover and play. Though it seem to have a distinct breath requirement in the 2nd octave in order to play in tune, and is a little on the quiet side.
Conical bore is the way to go for easier finger spacing. I have a Sweetheart low D which is quite comfortable.Those were made by Ralph Sweet and his son Walt (I could be wrong about the details). Ralph has retired from whistle making and the business is now http://musiquemorneaux.com/ . The instruments look beautiful but are 'way out of your price requirements.
Walt Sweet is now making whistles,flutes and fifes on his own. The Onyx mentioned above is actually made by Walt.That’s also above your price range at $350, but they’re really nice whistles.
Check irishflutestore.com for used whistles in all sizes. There are a couple of low D whistles there right now that might suit you.They can probably tell you about the finger spacing. They’re good people.
Thanks for the suggestion! I looked up a video and it looks like it’s definitely playable. I love the sound of it too, and the price is ideal. However, the Shearwater website isn’t working for me…there’s nothing on it but a Facebook button…I don’t know where else to access more info on them??
For me it’s not even as much about the distance between the holes, but the size of the holes. I tried fingering a homemade low whistle once, and my fingers just weren’t fat enough to cover the holes properly. Maybe it wasn’t made correctly, maybe I just need a lot more work in attempting the piper’s grip - but maybe, as you said about sacrificing tone, the size of the holes simply can’t be changed without changing the tone and key. In the photo it looks like there isn’t much difference between them all, is that right?
Those attributes of the Dixon really get me, but it seems many have commented on the softness and weak volume of the Dixon. If it’s so quiet it can’t be heard well when playing with other instruments, well…I just don’t know if I want that. But the ease of fingering definitely is intriguing.
Yes you’re not going to get the power from the Dixon conical bore that you’ll get from an MK, a Burke, a Goldie, a Reyburn. (I’ve only tried a couple Sweetheart wood Low D’s and they played much like the Dixon.)
The cylindrical/straight bore and holes in the normal sizes and locations gets you more volume in the low range.
The only way around it is using keywork, as Susato has done.
Even though if you look at the photo I posted above all those Low D’s appear to have nearly identical hole-spacing, in fact each has subtle differences, and it doesn’t take much change to make a big difference in hand comfort.
I find, of the clyindrical metal tube Low D’s, the Goldie and MK are the most ergonomic for me.
It’s a matter of what you’re used to, also. Recently I’ve got into bigger whistles, and I spent much of my time playing a Bass A and Low C. Believe me, after playing those for a while my Goldie Low D feels tiny! So completely comfortable and easy to play, so nice under the fingers. One thing is that going on to sub-D whistles forced me to adopt “piper’s grip” for both hands, which made playing Low D so much easier.
I look at it the opposite way, due to all the experiences I’ve had in 40 years of playing this music and acquiring instruments.
My “rate of success” in buying used instruments has been far higher than buying new. My bad experiences buying new are many, and tedious to tell, and I’m not comfortable naming names. So let’s leave it at that.
That aside, buying used allows you, in effect, to rent and try as many instruments as you wish, for free.
Because there’s no difference in value between a 3 year old instrument and a 3 year 2 month old instrument. There’s no difference in value between a 10 year old instrument and a 12 year old instrument. That two months or two years is your free trial, your free rental.
It so happened that I started hearing good things about MK whistles when a trip to Glasgow was looming, so I tried to get hold of MK to arrange a visit while I was there. I never made contact, wasn’t able to visit MK or acquire an MK whistle while in Glasgow, so when I returned to the States I realised my only way to get an MK was to get a used MK. No problem, and over a few year period I owned a half-dozen different MK Low D’s and spent much time exploring their subtle differences. I ended up with a superb MK which was my go-to instrument for a few years. The others were sold for what I paid for them, in every case.
I’ve bought, tried, and sold maybe 20 or 30 Low D’s over the last 10 years, nearly all bought used. I now have just the one, a wonderful Goldie that I play every day. It was got used from a member here.
I tried in vain to get a Low C, and ended up with an incredible-playing one, got used from a member here.
I can understand both sides of the new vs. used discussion. Both of the whistles I own were bought new. But then again, I’ve only played inexpensive soprano D whistles up to this point. Such whistles are inexpensive enough that buying new is always a viable option. However, should I ever look into getting a high-end or a low D whistle, I would definitely consider buying a used one. Buying a used example of such a whistle could be a real money-saver.
It’s the only low D I can play most of the time even w/my carpal problem.Playability on other low Ds I have varies day to day. Note that I’m just under 6 feet and don’t have tiny hands.
I bought one of those one piece very barely slightly conical Dixons. Can’t play it as easy as the Onyx. Not as conical as the Onyx.Think this is what makes a difference regarding finger stretch as to ease of covering the D hole,which has a direct bearing on whether my hand will “cooperate” or not.
My main hesitation when thinking of buying used was the risk of defects or problems that I wouldn’t know about until I got it. But if buying used whistles is such a common practice, I suppose there would be reputable sources out there and honest people selling. What would be some good resources for looking for used?
The Used Instrument Exchange Forum here is a good source. Members selling to one another so you have a chance to go back and get a sense of the person from her/his past discussions or sales. Associated with that is the Sold and Old forum where the sold items go—and where items go that didn’t necessarily sell. Or just posting a request in the Whistle Forum for something specific may elicit a response.
The Irish Flute Store https://www.irishflutestore.com/ has a section for whistles, both new and used with a solid return policy.
