If we’re lucky, Jessie will have the sense simply not to reply to this post.
And happy Turkey Day, everyone. 
among mine as well.
Birds of a feather indeed
Oy vey!
j.i.
In my original post I gave no specific whistle for a reason. The opinions of whistles vary greatly. My most expensive whistle is an Alba. I like it and think it is very good. I have a Generation brass D and Nickle D that I also like. These are the extremes in my whistle prices. My next purchase will probably be a Humphreys because of reviews and comments here by people I trust. JessieK has done a fine job of mentioning a number of whistles that most here will agree on. One of the whistles I also have on my list is the Sweetheart Pro. I love the way it plays, but it is loud. Many of the whistles I would love to have are beyond my price range so I don’t mention them because I have no experience with them.
Ron
Ron, I think getting a Humphrey’s is a great idea. If you are looking at buying a Hi D, I recommend getting the narrow-bore D rather than the wide-bore: it is more focused and responsive. At least raise the issue with Gary when you order and get his input.
In order for me to get angry, KDMARTINKY would have had to say something that made a valid point. That didn’t happen.
Of course people borrow from others’ ideas. I borrowed my idea from an antique bracelet that my dad found at a flea market. It was made out of Australian coins with the faces taken off, changed to different designs. I don’t complain about Phil using aluminum alloy on his Kerry Pro whistles. Aluminum alloy is a good resource, as is out-of-circulation silver coinage. I also think factory-produced whistles can play well (but Chieftains don’t have a very good track record, if you ask anyone - with experience - other than Talbert/Keith/Barb). The “Kerry Pro,” though, is not a borrowed idea…it is a completely stolen one. And that isn’t even what bothers me about Phil.
You can think what you want about Phil. And I will think what I want about you.
Bloomfield wrote
Ron, I think getting a Humphrey’s is a great idea. If you are looking at buying a Hi D, I recommend getting the narrow-bore D rather than the wide-bore: it is more focused and responsive. At least raise the issue with Gary when you order and get his input.
I was planning on a narrow bore D with an additional Eb tube. These are my favorite keys. I have found that the low Ds are not something I can play because of lung power. Sometime after that I will probably/may buy a Sweetheart Pro. Of course the Humphreys may end my WhOA.
Ron
JesseK:
First of all its not my objective to get you angry, but to express how I feel about your negative comments on every post that mentions Phil, etc.
JesseK Stated:
I don’t complain about Phil using aluminum alloy on his Kerry Pro whistles. Aluminum alloy is a good resource, as is out-of-circulation silver coinage.
WOW, once again you placed your own spin on it in a way that hell, I’m confused. I have no idea what Phil using aluminum alloy and out-of -date coinage is related to my statement.
LOL Maybe Jesse that the reason you think my statement wasn’t a valid point, is simply revealed in your statement above. You didn’t get my point and you don’t want to acknowledge the point. Face it, You get great satisfaction from pushing your agenda which is focusded on knocking anyones opinion except your own and God forbid someone say one good thing about Phil, and;
JesseK Referenced:
Talbert/Keith/Barb
There is no need to bring other individuals into this converstion Jesse. I am the one that made the comments.
JesseK stated:
You can think what you want about Phil. And I will think what I want about you.
Now thats a deal, just please keep your negative thoughts to yourself.
I put no spin on what you said.
It isn’t a valid analogy. “There is only so much you can do to a coin.” Whatever! Have you ever seen anyone doing what I do? No. Yeah, people make whistles, but it is good etiquette to make up something unique, rather than simply put a different label on the same thing, unless you are paying the original designer, as Phil was originally contracted to do (until his license was revoked).
KDMARTINKY, I will not keep my negative thoughts to myself, but I won’t attack you, either. And I will let you know that it isn’t in your best interest to keep attempting to argue with me. You aren’t doing a good job, your points are not valid, and you will not win.
BINGO! And all that is aimed at getting the music that is in you out into the air. Of course sometimes the voice of an instrument seduces you and you’re willing to ignore some playability issues. >
Double Bingo, Joe!
Philo
I’m quite happy with my Cheiftain low D whistle. The New Range lows are quite good and have been consistent at least among the couple I’ve had exposure to.
I think I have “experience”, having been playing for 10 years now, and professionally for a while. The musicians in a local irish band here here also have made very positive comments about the whistle. And Joe Linbeck of the Flying Fish Sailors (who has been playing professionally for at least 16 years) made a point of catching up with me at TRF this year because he heard me playing the Chieftain and he thought it sounded so good he wanted to get a look at it. It should be noted that Joe and I are not “buddies” and he’s never really made any special effort to chat at TRF, it was all about the whistle.
Several other pros play Chieftains, so I’m pretty sure that the comment about only Talbert/Barb/Kieth liking them really cannot be accurate.
I understood Jessie’s point. Whether or not I agree aside, she was saying that Phil’s design for Kerry Pros are identical (or nearly so) to that of Overtons.
JesseK Referenced:
Talbert/Keith/BarbThere is no need to bring other individuals into this converstion Jesse. I am the one that made the comments.
Um, Jessie said that other than Talbert, Barb, and you, no one else is going around saying that Chieftains are great and the best whistles out there.
This may or may not be an exaggeration. There are others who like Chieftains, but I think there aren’t any others who say so with quite as much fervor…
I have a Kerry Pro, but I would never say it’s the best… I haven’t tried anything else but a Grinter and a Howard.
Ok, Greg, I certainly respect your experience. I stand corrected.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I’m outta here.
Unless I’m missing the point here, it’s all about, or should be all about what whistles are best for each individual. I don’t think it so pleasant when we have to hear smears against anyone, whether it be whistle makers or board members. It’s certainly not constructive criticism.
I have a Chieftain gold mezzo A that I like quite well. I also have a Kerry low D that I really love. Is my opinion absolute? No. But, for the exposure I have to date with different whistles, in combination with my ability as a beginner, they are what I like. I assume that over time my tastes AND opinions will change. I also have a Hoover D/C whitecap with brass narrow bore tubes, and two Dixon pvcs and a set of teak wood Syns. They all have a different sound, and I like each one of them for different reasons. Would I love to have a set of Chieftains? You bet. But if I had that luxury, I would like many other whistles, most of which have been mentioned by name.
Jessie has a reputation for being wonderfully talented, and blessed with hands-on experience with many different whistles, BUT that shouldn’t make anyone else’s opinion “less” valid. I can appreciate Keith’s love for Chieftains, and I do think he is way ahead of some of us who may be eternally looking for the “right” whistle. He has found his
I appreciate, and get a grin, when Philo talks about his teacher playing an old Generation (was it?). In reality, all any of us “needs” to whistle is a cheap $6 whistle. We all have different reasons for what whistle we buy, and how much we are willing to spend.
The last thing I need to say, is that there are many examples of ideas and designs that are copied or “stolen” as Jessie says. Let’s take the pc that most of you are using. Do you think Mr. Gates came up with the idea by himself, or do you believe the books and movie that he essentially stole the idea? We could have an endless debate about this and many other similar situations. In the end, the marketplace and industry is all about making refinements to existing products and competition. Let’s take art and design, it’s all about taking other people’s ideas and art, and working off it. There is nothing new under the sun. As Jessie stated, Chieftains are manufactured as opposed to Overton being handmade. If this is true, then they are different whistles, no? The process hasn’t been copied. The design may be similar, but if it were exact the sound would be exact. Let’s move on! I would prefer to come to this board to enjoy discussions about the instrument and learning tips, etc. as I am sure many of you are as well.
By the way, my above comments are not meant to offend or slander anyone, only to make a point, or should I say, express my opinion.
matt
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Looking back at the original question, it not which whistle is your favorite, but which the best reputation. (My favorite whistle is my aluminum Burke high D.) Beyond that, I’ve never held, let alone played most of the great whistles described here. Most of what I know of whistles comes from what I read this board. I might humbly observe that, among high whistles, Copelands and O’Riordans are usually mentioned in almost reverential terms. For the lows, Overton seems to have that special aura.
I think it’s also clear that every whistle is loved by someone. And that’s a good thing.
ev’rybody loves some whistle sometime…
happy thanksgiving!
Gosh, I never thought my simple question would start a discussion that turned into a civil war. I’m glad someone brought it back on track.
yeah, happens quickly here…better get used to it.. :roll: