If any of you are inclined to share the maker of your favorite low E whistle/s, I’d appreciate you chiming in on the topic. I have an A I can put to work on it, so this is a want, not a need. Love to know what you think, though.
I used to play a Burke Low E. As I recall it used a dedicated tubing to get that big-bore ratio common throughout the various Burke sizes, probably around the size most makers (but not Burke) use for their Low D’s.
I also used to own an old Bernard Overton Low E, which played like the other Overton Low Whistles I’ve owned. It used the standard 22mm tubing that most makers use for their Low D, so like the Burke a rather large bore for the length, and all that goes with it.
Currently I’m playing an Alba Low E. With it Stacey went in the opposite direction, using the size of tubing that Overton, Goldie, and Alba use for their Mezzo F whistles (around 18.5mm).
At first I was a bit taken aback by how it played and it took a while to get used to, but in time it became one of my favourite whistles of any size.
It’s a sweet player, perfectly in tune, has low air requirements, and is exceptionally ergonomic for a Low Whistle. (It makes me suspect that the 22mm tubing most makers use for Low D is a bit too big.)
BTW I really like having a Low E in the roll for when fiddlers break out all their A Major tunes. Yes I can play those tunes on a D whistle but they fall under the fingers so much better on an E whistle.
Thank you. I checked the website, and didn’t see any available at this time, but am emailing to see what my options might be.
I never had a Low E whistle, but I did have a Low Eb made by Maurice Reviol, when he was working with Cillian O’Briain in Dingle, I believe. It was fantastic; smaller bore than the low D, and the most nimble of low whistles I have ever played. Granted, it was a non-tunable set of 3, so maybe a little more nimble than the tunable version, which is just my impression over collared tunable whistles (in general) in comparison. No matter, Maurice’s own branded tunable low whistles are plenty nimble now, from my newer experience with those, that are also made in sets, if you wish, with one head and whatever bodies you choose, with the diameter of the headjoint that fits all 3 keys.
You can see on his price list, the various whistle groups he has on offer (as of 2015) so, outdated prices as well, if he is still offering a new batch of whistles or not, is depending on your luck when you contact him. He doesn’t have a big emphasis on low whistles compared to his other endeavors, from what he’s told me before.
Here’s the kicker: he lists a Low E that has a body size of the low G and F, so there may be a chance that is the bore size of the Eb whistle I had before, that was so good. His G was great too, though the F wasn’t as stunning as the other two, maybe for optimum bore size, or another reason, hard to say, but that’s my guess, is that the F needed a larger bore to have a bigger voice?
Theirishflutestore.com doesn’t have any of Maurice’s low whistles in stock, and only list 2 low E’s, one a Kerry Optima (out of stock), but for half a grand and change, you can get a Carbony Low E, that is in stock! Looks like a nice one though! Wouldn’t mind trying one, myself some day, but I doubt it will be. Edited to add: just found this at Blayne’s, another Carbony for a cool quatro-plus, and it gives you another note for free, while saving some moola!:
Carbony Celtic Winds Carbon Fiber Leading-Tone Whistles – Irish Flute Store
Sorry couldn’t be of more help, but haven’t been in the loop lately, and there are new makers that keep popping up that may be of service, or even old ones. Personally, I’d try the tunable Kerry Optima if I wanted something in a different key that is hard to find, but pretty available at a lower price. I have one of his tunable Optima Low D’s that I really like, among others of his various models. Phil Hardy is pretty approachable too, if he’s not too busy like most people, trying to make a living today. https://www.kerrywhistles.com/shop
Too bad Ronaldo Reyburn has retired; he might have been a choice to try as well, but he has other fish to fry and keeps him occupied otherwise instead of whistle making. You might even have your Low E by now; sorry for the late reply, but maybe another whistler on the path, if it’s too late for you. Just be careful out there, and have some fun along the way!
That’s cool that Reviol does a Low E with the Mezzo F tubing, it would be very much like my Alba Low E.
I used to have a Reviol one-head-three-body set, Low Eb, Low D, and Low C all obviously with the same tubing. It seemed to me that it was the 22mm tubing several makers use for their Low D.