I want to buy a Burke high d, but I’m very confused..
I’m searching a full IN TONE whistle, with a good volume and great (not necessary traditional) sound…
Which I should buy? Sessions or narrow bore..alluminium or brass..or composite..?
Should I buy a burke?I want a high end whistle.
This question comes up frequently, you could do a search to read past discussions on the topic.
The best solution I can suggest is to buy one of each design in all the materials. 
I have.
They are all good whistles and Mike Burke has improved his designs over time. Buy new ones to get the best Burke makes. Although some like the old wide bore brass whistle.
There is not a huge difference in volume, at least not to my old ears, the narrow bore whistles are a little less loud. The narrow bore whistles have a very sweet sound and are especially nice at the top end. The session bore whistles are the choice of many players and hold their own against any high-end whistle for tuning, balance and response. Both are good session whistles, plenty of volume and never shrill.
The composite material, some would say, sounds “woody”. It has the most complex sound of the three materials, IMHO. The aluminum is crisp and clear. The brass whistles can have a rounder, ringing tone. Again these are my opinions only.
If by “traditional sounding” you mean like a Generation, no Burke will sound like that.
I prefer the brass narrow bore myself but I do play them all at times. I have played the beejayzus out of two different aluminum session whistles the last 6 years too. Your milage may vary.
Feadoggie
Hi 8solo5,
You will NOT be disappointed with a Burke. I have the Burke DBSBT (key of D, brass, session, black tip, made in 2005). When I play a whistle in Church, this is the one I use because it’s sound is pure and sweet, has good volume, and it’s reliable. I’d like the try the narrow-bore, for a quieter whistle, and the Composite for a more mellow, woody, or flutey sound. The brass is more mellow sounding than the aluminum; and the Aluminum sounds more crisp and bright. Good luck on your search.
Lyn
I bought a Burke pro sessions high D many years ago and haven’t bought another whistle since. That tells you how much I like it.
I’d suggest you do what I did when trying to decide. Go to the Clips and Snips threads and listen. They list what whistle is being played on a clip and that will be a big help in finding the whistle that produces the sound you prefer.
It’s hard to tell someone else which whistle they will like best. You are the only one that can do that. Short of splurging and buying everything you can, the Clips and Snips is a second option.
Is the narrow bore aluminum loud enough for sessions?
That’s my session whistle. Works just fine for me. But my session is on the small side (3-6 people usually, no pipes).
Yes it is. The narrow bore is not a quiet whistle, IMO. I have played narrow bore brass, composite and aluminum Burkes in large groups and have had no difficulty hearing my playing or being heard. The composite whistle seems less loud than the metal whistles but that may be some psycho-acoustic phenomenon. The composite narrow bore is still loud enough to be heard just a bit mellower. They are very sweet, balanced and well behaved whistles. At least that’s my experience.
Feadoggie
That’s my session whistle. Works just fine for me. But my session is on the small side (3-6 people usually, no pipes).
The narrow bore I have is not as interesting a whistle as the standard Pro Session Brass D. Get the latter. The biggest fault anyone usually finds with Burkes is that they can lack some intangible character. Some earlier models had intonation detractors. My Alum Session D is not a good whistle intonation-wise. I can’t ever get it quite in tune with other instruments, but every other Burke I have is just fine in that dept. ( have 9) I think brass is more stable in the higher pitched whistles. The low Alum’s are very nice and in tune, tho.
The Burke DBSBT is one of my top favorite whistles. I am sure you would be happy with one, and if not, you would have no trouble getting your money back by selling it. Michael is a great guy to deal deal with. The Burke whistles are consistently high quality and he has a decent return period as I recall.