The 2pc. Doolin Whistle: Review

Whistle
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Y’all asked for a review when I got it, and I got it today and have been playing it for a while. This is just the first installment of my Review- I’m going to be performing on it tomorrow, so there’ll be more to come…

Physical Characteristics:

A classy lookin’ whistle. Kelly/Forest green mouthpiece with a shiny/sparkly brass shaft. Mouthpiece has this funny “lip” around the middle of it that makes it look like some space-age thing, but it comes in handy for making it less apt to go rolling off a table or something…

It comes apart just a little ways above the top hole, both parts fit nice and snug. Takes a tiny wiggle to get them to fit together, but once it’s together, you can twist it to align it any way you want, but it won’t move while playing.

Length wise, assembled: about the same length as the Feadog, dis-assembled: the part with the holes is just a hair shorter than 6 1/2 inches, the part with the mouthpiece is a hair longer than 5 1/2 inches.

It’s the same size as the Feadog D that I have (MK II), but it’s a lighter whistle. I think the shaft is made of some sort of Aluminum/Brass composite and the mouthpiece of a lighter density plastic that makes the whistle lighter overall.

Tone Quality:

Sounds very similar to the Feadog/Generation type, although less apt to squeak. Just the right amount of Chiff, solid tone, sweet and soft like velvet. On my Feadog, the higher octave notes have a tendency to become “grainy” in quality, but this whistle retains the sweet, velvet quality to the tone in the entire range. Very nice.

Volume:

Similar output to the Clarke or Feadog, although even in the upper octaves, it does not get shrill. Volume is pretty balanced throughout the whole range. Much more balanced than any other whistle I’ve played. It’s not a loud whistle. It’s more to the quiet side, but not quite. Probably a low-medium…

Air Reqs:

Small. I thought I’d have a problem with ‘overblowing,’ but no. It’s just fine. It’s not tempermental either; you don’t have to “coax” it into hitting certain notes.

Although, you do have to be careful to ‘clean’ out the mouthpiece regularly when playing because if you don’t, it can get clogged, and then you won’t get a sound… :smiley:

Overall:

A very nice whistle. It’s one of the best inexpensive whistles I’ve played, and one of the best mid-range whistles I’ve played. Can’t say for high-range, but it’s a darn good whistle. Responsive, sweet, and a joy to play. I think I’m cured of WhOA… :smiley: I’d recommend it to beginners and advanced players alike. Plus, it’s only 14 Euro (around $13.88, American), so it’s a GREAT buy.

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I know it comes apart, but is it tuneable? And if not, where is yours relative to concert pitch?

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I tune it by sliding out the two sections that join…works quite well for me. I’ve never tried to remove the mouthpiece because tuning this way works fine.

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I just want to know if it sounds identical to a Rose or O’Riordan, since I need to replace the ones I sold off… :laughing:

I’m just foolin’ with ya Elf, no hard feelings =;^)

Loren

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:laughing:

None taken.

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Thanks, Elf.

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Part 2 of the Doolin 2 pc. Whistle Review:

Other Thoughts:

Well, I performed on it yesterday morning, and even though I like the whistle very much, it doesn’t seem to “fill up” the microphone like, say… my Susato or my Clarke. I don’t know whether it was because the Music Festival was held outside, or what, but it just sounded “thin” when played with a mic.

Other than that, it’s a perfect whistle for jammin’ around the house, or front porch “sessions,” but probably not a good whistle if you’re going to be using a mic.