To Vaporlock

Whistle
1

Hey, Vaporlock–you said in your “UPS Dude” thread that you just got a Dixon low F from the Whistle Shop. I just looked at their catalog again and don’t see a low F anywhere. Could you tell me how you ordered it, how much it costs, what it sounds like, and how easy it is to play? I don’t have any low whistles yet (I’m still trying to convince my husband that I NEED one) but am interested in maybe starting out with a low F.

Thanks in advance for any information you can give me!

2

Pardon me for butting in, but why not email or phone Thom directly? Contact info is at http://www.thewhistleshop.com/support/support.htm

3

Hi Cees,
As Ridseard suggested, I just e-mailed Thom at The Whistle Shop and asked him what he had along the lines of a low F. He sent back a list of several possible choices including both a Dixon medium bore and a large bore F for. Since he already had my credit card info, I just told him to sign me up for the large bore Dixon @ $60…and it was a done deal!

MINI REVIEW OF TUNABLE DIXON LARGE BORE F:

  • The bore of the whistle is the same as that of the well known Dixon low D. It is about 5 inches shorter though, so it is one of the oddest looking whistles I’ve seen…fat and tubby.
  • The finger holes are on par sizewise with the other low D whistles that I’ve played, Dixon, Chieftain, Overton, so you can get alot of emotion and expression out of this whistle.
  • Volume is somewhat louder than the other Dixons I’ve played earning it spot in the medium volume bracket.
  • Tone is great, relatively pure (a little air), woody in character, not much chiff. Strong throughout the entire range with the exception of Cnat which is a little weak.
  • Tuning seems good, though I have not checked it against a tuner.
  • Air requirements are moderately low. A little more air required for the second octave, but it is easily hit.

Overall, once again, I think Tony Dixon has created a wonderful instrument for a good price. The thing is fun to play, responsive and just plain sounds good. Finger spread is very comfortable for me, while on most low Ds it is a bit of a stretch for me.

Tell your husband that a lower pitch whistle is easier on the ears. My wife likes them much better than the high whistles (with “like” being a relative term).

I have the Dixon tunable low G which is only available in medium bore. It is a slender whistle and more sensitive to air flow. It is relatively quiet. I would imagine that the medium bore low F would be even more so, that’s why I ordered the wide bore F. I am curious though about the medium bore F and will probably give into curiosity sometime a get one of those too.

There you have it…a not-so mini review of the Dixon. It’s a great whistle, fun and easy to play. If you don’t attack the notes, you can make it sound like an old steam powered caliope which is kinda fun too.

Eric

4

Eric,
Thanks so much for all the info. I really appreciate it!

Kiirsi