I guess many of you out there are experienced Burke whistle players. I’m thinking of buying a b whistle from him. But what specifications? Composite? Brass? Aluminium? Wide bore? Narrow bore? I prefer a full, round tone not too quiet. Can anyone help me?
Christian
Hi Christian
I own a Burke Brass D Pro and a Low G Aluminum Pro. And I absolutely love playing both of them. For some unknown reason I prefer the brass to aluminum for the weight, don’t ask me why, the D just feels substantial in my hands and I feel I won’t drop it when the speed gets going. I have a tendency to finger hard when playing reels and such.
As to the tone quality, the brass and aluminum have there own and I use them differently depending on what I’m playing. The brass I like for its seemingly brightness, quickness and clarity in the top end.
The aluminum I like for its softness, warmth and roundedness in its sound for slower tunes and aires. When playing the aluminum in a session the sound of the Low G really fills the room and takes the edge off all those fiddlers.
If its any help, I am intending purchase in the new year a Low A, and a Low E, and Bb and they all will be in aluminum from Mike.
I have nothing but good things to say about Burke whistles or the man himself. The whistles I do have, I play all the time either at home or in sessions.
Mark
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“In any corner of the earth where solitude and imagination go hand in hand, people learn soon enough to love music.”
Stendhal (1783-1842) Life of Rossini
[ This Message was edited by: MarkB on 2001-10-30 12:22 ]
Wide bore session in brass. I’ve got that one as well as an aluminum one, and to my ear the brass sounds a tad rounder. Although the aluminum is extremely light, I wouldn’t call the brass heavy. Both sound great, though I think your description points to the brass.
Jef
IMO Mike’s strength lies is his brass whistles. The Composite whistles are too fragile for my liking and, to my ear, his aluminum whistles sound rather bland.
Loren
I like all of Mike’s whistles (I have a WBB in D, an AlPro in D and a composite C) The brass and aluminum sound alot alike-- I fluctuate on an almost daily basis as to which I prefer. The Composite has a very round, pure tone with little “chiff”. It is also great.
If you want a more “whistly” sound, go for aluminum or brass. If you want a purer flute-like tone, go for a composite. Either way you really can’t go wrong.
Enjoy!
Tres
Thanks for your input. If only I could try before you buy…
Christian
Which Burke do I prefer? All of them. Simple as that.
Bob Pegritz