Thanks for the answers about Joanie Madden’s whistle choices. Very helpful! OK, so I’ve called up Pat O’Riordan and spoken with him about his whistles (and many other things – what a charming man he is!)… but as you already know, there is very little chance of actually being able to buy one any time soon. Which brings me to the point… which other whistles (non-wood) have a similar tone (so sweet and clear!)?
Well, you could scroll down the page, but here:
She did say non-wood, Blackhawk. Any other ideas?
Jef
I’ve just been playing it off and on for a week or two, but I think this new Ronaldo Reyburn kind of approximates the O’Riordan sound.
Got a weblink for those Dale?
I can’t imagine a much better choice than Burke.
Blackhawk, has the sound changed from the older models? My brass Burke narrow bore, which is less breathy than the wide bore, doesn’t sound or play like an O’Riordan. It’s a fine whistle, but it’s different.
Tony
Tony, it’s been too long since I played your O’Riordan, so maybe I’m off base here, but my Burkes (D, C & Bb) are very pure, like my Boisvert, and I remember when you played it, you said it sounded like an O’Riordan. Or maybe I’m hallucinating (kind of a nice break in the day, though).
We have gone through a TON of different whistles. Mostly we have settled on wooden whistles for most of our playing. There are two whistles that that have continually made it through our personal filter: Alba D and Dixon D with brass tuning slide.
The Alba is not what you are looking for. It has a bit of air noise and chiff.
The Dixon on the other hand is pretty pure and sweet, at least to us. I am keeping it for my briefcase whistle.
I have not tried a Hoover Whitecap D, but my Bb and F are fairly nice too, if on the sensitive side.
If you contact Goldie (Overton) he can tune and adjust the whistle you want to whatever specs you choose.
I’d have to chime in with the “Burke” answer. I played an aluminum O’Riordan C/D set for 10 years and now I play a narrow bore Burke aluminum Pro D. Apart from the Burke being quiter (due to the narrow bore), the sound is quite similar. Perhaps a non-narrow bore aluminum pro would do the trick.
I just got an used Reyburn D/C set, type “LB” (= less breathy, i kid you not). Anyway, these can’t be the new model, but they’re pretty durn great whistles. I’m curious what changed and if the new model is even better.
g
Having owned and played a Burke whistle for several years, I can safely say that it played and sounded nothing like an O’Riordan to me. Not even close. I’ve played both the Concert 9wood) and the Traveller (aluminum) models that Pat makes and while Mike Burke’s whistles are indeed wonderful to hear, they are completely different.
I agree completely.
For what it is worth, I come down on the side of Jessie, Brian, and the rest. I own Burkes and O’Riordans. While the instruments are both fine players - precise and articulate - the sound is truly different.
Best.
Byll
Admittedly, the O’Riordan d/c set I owned was from 1988 on. I actually purchased my set through Lark in the Morning. Although I don’t have that set anymore, I have recordings of me playing that set. The O’Riordan set I had and the Burke I have now really do sound very similar. Perhaps, though, O’Riordans of 1988 or so were somewhat different instruments than their later counterparts. (Remember, also, that mine were aluminum with the polymer head joint; no wood.)