I am considering purchasing my first low D and I think I have narrowed my choices down to two possibilities: an Overton (likely tunable) by Colin Goldie or an MK by Misha Somerville. However, having little experience with low whistles (but loving the sound), I’d like to ask anyone who owns or has played these instruments to comment on their respective merits.
If it will help, I’d like a whistle capable of a good range of expression that also has a bit of a flute-like sound to it. I play ITM.
Well, I dion’t think you’ll get a flute like quality from an overton. They have a tone that is very unique in the whsitling world. It does have to be said though that is a very complex tone, some like it more than others…personally i do enjoy it
I can tell you in terms of “expressive range”, an overton with decent back pressure is excellent for this. I would expect similar things from an Mk but having never played one, i leave that up to those who have
Mk I’m not familiar with but i do know some people are very attached to them, which tells me they are also a quality whistle. There may not be a bad choice in this respect.
MKs have a very whistlesque sound, while overtons, well, sound like overtons. If you’re looking for a low whistle with a more flute like tone, I would recommend either a copeland or a Burke.
My MK is currently my main low D, however Overtons certainly are excellent whistles that do offer a wide range of expression. I don’t think you could go wrong with either, although you may have a hard time getting a hold of an MK as they are heavily backordered.
I just love my Goldie Overton tunable Low D and would recommend one to anyone looking for quality, but having just read up on MK whistles, I think one of those would be a nice addtion to the family too. It’ll have to wait though, I’ve recently watched a you tube of an Overton Bass G being played, and it is right up the top of my list for next years budget.
I knooooow, oh man I am getting that bass G to actually, the sound is phenomenal Just make sure you can do the stretch eh? some with even medium arms \ hands most likely cannot do the stretch on that whistle. Colin Goldie was concerned about it, fortunately I am a little disproportionate in thos areas
I have heard from Brigitte at Overton whistles. She and Colin sound like great people. I am still a little tentative (first-time, low whistle buying anxiety, I guess), but I think that I am going to go with the Overton. It is a safe investment, isn’t it? I haven’t heard back from Misha yet.
With regards to the sound of the Overton, I have been listening to as many recordings of it as I can and I agree, it has a sound all-its-own. In particular, I’ve been watching some clips of Brian Finnegan, and while I know that I will never be one-tenth of the player that he is, I love the way the Overton sounds - soulful.
Go for it Michael, I was a bit concerned with the stretch myself, and yes it does take a little bit of practice to get the muscle memory happening, but persistance will pay off. I have just about got it down and I don’t get a great deal of time to practise (I’ve got two small children that take up much of my time). I could still see a marked difference with my ability on the Low D after only two days though, so with an average chance to practise you should be playing this beautiful instrument in no time. Best of luck to you. I think an Overton is an extremely good investment.
I’m going to go play mine now I think.
I think I am. My only decision now is whether to go for a tunable or not? I’ve heard that Overtons are spot on tuning wise and since I mainly play by myself maybe I should just get the non-tunable. Then, of course, there will be that one occasion when I need the tuning-slide and I won’t have it.
I played Irish wooden flute for 30+ years until I had to switch to low whistle a year or so ago due to persistent hand cramping.
I went out and bought several high-end whistles and played them extensively and recorded myself so I could hear what they sound like to an outsider (which is often very different from the impression you get whilst playing).
The most flutelike tone- even now when I go back and listen to the tape I made over a year ago I’m struck by this- was got from the Susato low D. The Susato was also the best at something crucial to my fluteplaying approach: playing between the octaves (it’s the best way I can verbalise it).
The low whislte with, overall, the most flutelike performance (the way it feels whilst playing) is the Burke. The others, save for the Susato, are not even close.
Yes people rave about Overtons and MKs, but I tried four Overtons from various periods (c1980 up to a new one) and tried a new MK and I’ll stick with the Burke. Yes people get great sounds out of them. I just don’t like the way they perform under my fingers.
Thank you for your input. As I have been doing more research I have increasingly been looking at the Burke, but since I have never had the opportunity, unfortunately, to try either the Burke or the Overton, I can’t say how either feels under my fingers.
This is what I said about tunables vs non-tunables in another thread Michael.
I hope you didn’t take offence with my thoughts in your thread ziggy, as it really is just my own humble opinion.
Anyway, read on Michael…
My own personal opinion on the subject is if you buy a tunable whistle then you have the option to tune. If you don’t like tunable whistles or don’t see the need for it, then you don’t need to fiddle with it, just leave it at it’s basic setting. If you sell it later on the new owner may be buying it because the option to tune is there for them.
I bought my Overton Low D in tunable version even though I, as a beginner have absolutely no idea how to use this function properly. But it may just be something that proves invaluable later on down the track when my skill levels increase. Who knows, I may actually be good enough to play in a public setting or with other musicians one day. If I never have to use it well and good, but it’s there as an option that non tunables can never offer.
If it’s just an asthetic thing for you then, I can see the point, depending on the brand of whistle. Some tunables do look a little bit like they’re ready to give birth, but then if it doesn’t look pleasing to me I wouldn’t buy it. Unless of course it sounded better than anything else, in which case, I would think, you could see past any inherent ugliness and focus on the pure beauty of the sound it produced.
Just my thoughts on the matter anyway.
Just make sure you can do the stretch eh? some with even medium arms \ hands most likely cannot do the stretch on that whistle. Colin Goldie was concerned about it, fortunately I am a little disproportionate in thos areas