I am in the market for another whistle (armed with christmas money!) and am thinking either a Jerry Freeman Mellow Dog or a tweaked Shaw, but cannot decide which one to get (having not been able to play either one dosen’t help). I’ve read some reviews and there seem to be pros and cons to both whistles.
That being said, at the moment I am still learning to play and play solo for my own enjoyment and for family. I’ve been playing traditional Irish tunes, mainly ballads but am learning some jigs. I love my Clarke Original but would like something which requires at least a little less breath, and is less squeaky (I’ve leaned a lot of control but something slightly easier would be nice). I don’t particularly enjoy the tone of my Clarke Sweettone.
If anyone has experience with either or both of these whistles that may shed some light on my personal situation, it would be much appreciated!
Thanks for the response guys! I am just wondering what it is about the mellow dog that makes you partial to it over the shaw? Also, I have heard that they (mellow dogs) are fast cloggers, have you found that to be true? I often play for an hour or more at a time and have had some problems with my current whistle in this area, so I want to avoid that for the future.
For one thing, the tweaked Mellow Dog is easier to play. Tweaked Shaws take quite a bit of “push” in the upper register. Tweaked Mellow Dogs are tuneable; Shaws are not. Anyone else want to comment?
I’ve never heard that tweaked Mellow Dogs tend to clog, and I’ve sold hundreds of them. If anyone’s finding that to be the case, please let me know.
I’d go for the Mellow Dog. It is the best of the tweaked cheap whistles IMO and plays like a dream. You may not need to buy another whistle. It does not clog.
I just bought a mellow dog the other day, and it sounds great! I’ve only been playing for a couple months, mind you, so my review probably doesn’t hold much weight…but the tone is smooth and it takes very little push to reach the 2nd octave.
The only trouble I’ve had with it so far is that it’s difficult for me to get the bottom D clean. It takes SO little air, that i usually mess it up. It’s nearly impossible for me to tounge the note, too…but I imagine that’s my inexperience and not the whistle??
I suggest the Mellow Dog. If you already play a Clark you don’t need a Shaw, right now, as they are the same “type” of whistle. That is conical bore, wooden plug type of whistle.
My Mellow Dog is a few years old and is one of my main whistles. No clogging problems for me.
I have been exclusively playing a MellowDog for over a year and I really love it. I did have a slight clogging problem which was quickly fixed with a little diluted dish soap.
The only problem I have with the MellowDog is the loudness of the last two notes in the upper register (c#, d), but I understand that this is a problem with most whistles. I have heard that conical whistles have more even volume throughout the lower and upper octaves than Generation style whistles which, if true, would be a point in favor of the Shaw. I might be picking up a conical from Jerry soon - if I do, I’ll report on what I find in comparison.
Try (if you can) supporting from the diaphragm as you play, as if you were singing into the whistle - it makes a difference in how cleanly you hit the notes and how much control you have over them. I really don’t understand it, but it seems that the whistle sounds better when your breath control is from the diaphragm . . .
Thanks very much for the feedback everyone! It was very helpful to hear about your personal experiences with the whistles. I think that I am going to go with the Mellow Dog for now. I’m sooo excited to get a new whistle!!
