Trading up: my fourth MK Low D

Whistle
1

I had been playing a Burke Low D for a couple years and at our local SoCal Tionol I got a chance to try an MK Low D owned by a member here.

I was amazed. It seemed to be the perfect Low D, with loud full low notes and relatively civilised high notes and an interesting somewhat Kaval-like timbre throughout its range. (Many whistles have an interesting timbre in the low octave but have a rather bland second octave.)

Thus began a sequence of buying MKs second-hand. I bought one, then another, played the two side by side for a bit and sold the one I didn’t like quite as well. (The differences were quite subtle.)

Then I bought, from a member here, a rather beat-up MK that played somewhat better than the one I was currently using. This one had a very strong Kaval-esque sound but the tradeoff was a High A and High B which were on the verge of harshness. I’ve been playing this MK as my main horn for over a year now, and have done a large number of gigs with it.

None of the bottom Ds of any of these three were as strong as that original MK I had tried at the Tionol, a fact which was brought to my attention each time I attended the Tionol and got a chance to blow on it again.

Well I was surprised and delighted recently when that wonderful first MK I had tried was offered to me for sale. I jumped at the opportunity.

Now I’ve played it for a few weeks, for St Patrick’s Day gigs and a few other gigs, and have spent quite a bit of time going back and forth between it and my previous MK for comparison.

Once again the differences are somewhat subtle, but at the same time important. This new MK doesn’t quite have the gravelly Louie Armstrong Kaval-ish tone of the one I’ve been playing, but its tone has a bit more of a “core” to it. Most important is that it’s Bottom D is stronger while at the same time its High A and High B are sweeter (just how Misha pulled it off, I have no idea).

In short, it has a better balance through its range than perhaps any Low D I’ve played, is very air-efficient, has a great tone, great intonation, and is light in weight and sleek to hold.

With many of us, whistleplaying is a neverending Holy Grail search, and I will of course continue to try every Low D that comes my way, but for now I’m very happy.

2

It was your YouTube video (after dozens of views) that sold me on my MK. Maybe you could make a quick vid of these MK’s? I’d be interested if the differences would make it through the vid.

3

I hadn’t thought of that, doing a video comparing those two MKs. I wonder, too, if the differences would be apparent on the video.

I know when I did a couple videos comparing various makes of Low Ds I was surprised by how much the videos levelled out the timbre. In person they all sounded quite distinct, on the video they sound fairly similar.

With whistles and flutes etc the differences between instruments are usually more apparent to the player than to the listener anyhow.

In any case I am planning to make a video of me playing an air and a reel or two on this new MK. It’s inspiring, playing a whistle this good. I just want to keep playing it, and not go to work or anything.

4

But rewarding nonetheless - and I firmly believe that the more you enjoy your instrument, the better you play, and that translates into a better experience for the listener too.

5

I am thinking of getting one, but I can’t decide between the high gloss or the satin. Any thoughts?

6

I just have one MK but I will never sell it, I love it too much. I’m surprised more pros aren’t playing these.

I got the satin because it was cheaper. I love the feel of the anodized aluminum. I’m not sure if the polished are anodized and then polished or if they’re not anodized? One thing that’s really cool is mine is about 6 months old and doesn’t have a single scratch on it. My other non-anodized whistles have minor scratches.

7

I’ve owned both… I can’t think of any reason to choose one over the other except for personal preference… it’s how the whistle sounds and plays that matters most.

… and, they are all anodized - some are polished afterward as a final finishing process, hence the greater expense.

8

My black satin Low D MK was ordered eleven days ago and I’m weary of waiting for the postman to deliver it but what’s my choice? Patience.patience, patience. Something I have too little of!

9

My MK arrived a day or two after my last post and the wait was worth it. My first whistle was a Susato Low D which, all in all, has a lot going for it considering it’s price. I won’t hesitate taking it with me wilderness camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area later this Fall. I was after the reedy tone and after researching all I could from the home PC, UTube and Forums, I decided on the MK. Having only experience with the ABS plastic Susato, I never imagined the amount of difference the material used would make in how a whistle played and sounded. The first day or two I had concerns with condensation (saliva) loading up the fipple and found some Duponol, locally. Either it helped, getting the whistle warmer or some other subtle change I made playing seemed to kick in and greatly improved that issue. So, I’m really pleased with my MK and the workmanship Misha put into it.

10

Now if only we could hear a hypothetical ABS MK!