Thanks so much for all your tips re Bleazey low d vs. Sweetheart low Ds. I think I’m opting for the Sweetheart (mainly on cost, but also I have a hi d Bleazey in blackwood which I love, but thougt I’d vary it up a bit). But in searching the forum I haven’t found a comparison between Mr. Sweet’s blackwood vs. rosewood low D. Also a comparison between his “easy reach” and “piper’s grip” versions. I have small-ish hands, but with some work can play my Goldie/Overton large whole version, which is nice for sliding but not so easy to tap or roll down to the D note. I’d like this new one to be easier to play ornaments, but am scared by mention of a weaker E note in the smaller reach version. I’m sure you all know that he’s selling these in the “resonance” model, so comparisons with the previous models may not apply so well to the new resonance model. I am very grateful for you advice and encouragement.
Best wishes for a restful (or session-ful) Sunday,
Jaydoc
Tangential and FWIW. Talking with Ralph Sweet when I visited his place (we were selecting flutes
for me), I asked him about the difference in sound tween his rosewood and blackwood instruments (these
being the cheaper unkeyed instruments). Ralph was quite definite that there is no discernible difference
in sound to a listener, though there might be a slight difference ‘under the ear’ of the player.
Of course I can’t vouch that he would say this about the whistles; however I have
always been very happy with Sweetheart rosewood instruments. If there is money to be
saved, I PERSONALLY would go rosewood. But if you really want to know, call him.
Also ask them all your questions about configurations. They know what they make.
I gotta agree with Ralph. I don’t think the wood makes that much difference in a whistle. On many occasions I’ve made two identical whistles using wood from the same board and had them come out sounding quite different.
On a guitar or similar instrument where you have many square inches of vibrating wood the species may make a big tonal difference. There, the purpose is to get that wood vibrating via the vibrations of the strings. However, in an instrument like a whistle, it’s the air column inside that does the vibrating, not the walls of the instrument. Any vibration you feel while playing a whistle is the air column vibrating against your finger tips in the holes.
Pick the wood that you like the looks of, and you’ll love your Resonance (I have one in Dymondwood).
I ended up buying a very slightly used blackwood from a C&F forum member, and I love it. I of course can’t compare it to rosewood, since I don’t have one, and it does sound rather “flutey” as Ralph described it, but it’s very easy to reach/play and sounds lovely. Maybe someday I’ll play the rosewood and compare, but I’m very happy with this one for now!
Thanks for your help and suggestions.