W.S Onyx Low D opinions?

Whistle
1

Any reviews or opinions about the W.S. Onyx Low D would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jason

2

Here’s one from just a bit ago: https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/onyx-wdsweet-whistle-review/72436/1

3

Mine arrived today. I am definitely the limiting factor. It is beautifully made. The intonation is very good, especially as I am learning better breath support. I thought as a flute player a low whistle would be easy. It is more work than my flute, but very fun. I’m able to reach and cover all the holes. It is a 3-piece whistle, which allows the lower holes to be rotated slightly to facilitate reach. I’m very pleased with it so far.

Deb

4

Splendid Deb. Thank you for sharing that.
Cheers, Jason

5

I have to preface my comments with the disclaimer that I sell Onyx tooters. But, that should be more of an endorsement than a concern. I won’t sell anything I wouldn’t be willing to play in a public performance.

The Onyx is a conical-bore whistle. The only one I know of other than the Copeland. The conical bore gives significant advantage in the areas of hole size and hole spacing (the physics of a cylinder require larger and further-spaced holes). I have longish hands. THe Onyx is really the only low D that I ever play without resorting to pipers grip on the RH. There is a joint between the RH & LH to further improve ergonomics which is a nice touch as well.

The tuning is excellent and the tone is lovely and dark. The thing I like best about it is that I can really lay into the bottom D yet the octaves are nicely balanced.

I don’t generally play low D whistle (If I want that octave, I generally grab a flute) but the Onyx has been getting a lot of play from me lately. I was going through a batch that Walt sent to the store recently. I couldn’t tell any difference. Apparently consistency is not going to be an issue. Keep up the good work Walt.

Doc

6

I have a long way to go before it sounds as wonderful as I know it can. What I like about it is that practice is more about learning music and technique, and less about just holding the whistle and getting the holes covered. There are still the frustrations of learning low whistle, but not physical pain.

I don’t feel as if I have compromised anything by choosing this whistle in terms of instrument quality. It is a handsome whistle. Our climate is so dry, I have all I can do to keep my guitars humidified. I like having a whistle that isn’t bothered by the dryness. I look forward to many years of playing this whistle.

Walt was lovely to deal with, answering my emails promptly and shipping my whistle very quickly.

Deb