It has been a while since my last low D. Some times you have to thin the herd. But i’m back in the money so here we go.
criteria
The whistle must be metal, Wood is my favorite, but circumstances do not allow. To much travel and humidity just trust me on that.
Second the sound I like something that is haunting, but can jump to life for a jig. By Haunting I mean reminencing of what people think of old Ireland. Must be capable of shooting a shiver down ones back. If anybody understands that. And yes I understand that the shivers thing is subject to the musicians playing, but some whistles seem to do it better than others. If it makes something pop into mind I like the sound of a clarke also, but I am not seeking a shaw. size and weight do not matter.
Ive thought of the following myself.
The old stanby Overton or chieftan
Burke aluminum
Cillian O’Brien
All would need to be tuneable. Ideals sugestions. I’ve read all the reviews but want opinions based a little on how people think they fit my criteria. Note although I can afford quite a bit I would be happy if the whistle was under 300.00 mark so I can stow away money for more whistles. In other words copelands are not really in the question unless someone is good at convincing me why they are worth that or has a used one cheaper.
Next topic any one got anything for sale within the Low D similar to my criteria.
exeption made and I might forget the low D if any one wants to sell a wood O’Riordan D. Yes I know other makes of wood whistles that are a very similar sound, But I collect wood instruments and Laugh as you may this has been one to elude me.
Concentrating on the “haunting” bit of your criteria, Overtons or Chieftains fit that description. I wouldn’t really go for an alu Burke; while a nice whistle the sounds isn’t as, well, haunting as those other brands. I have never heard of a Burke brass low D. Has it been discussed in another thread?
However, the most “haunting” low D I have tried has to be the Howard where the lower octave has a fantastic “wooooOOO!” sound to it. I had a black one a few years back, but in a fit of something (temporary insanity? ) I sold it on the board. I can’t wait to get my hands on another one.
I wouldn’t really mourn the fact that you can’t afford a Copeland low D at this point. It’s an extremely nice low whistle, but its sound is about as far from haunting as you can get.
I thought I knew Mike’s whistle line. I did not know he made a brass low D whistle. Since you have seen one, I must be mistaken. The whistle must be relatively heavy…
I truly like my aluminum Burke low D Viper. It has an amazingly solid low end. The instrument is usable over its full two octaves and more… Its air requirements are reasonable…
Standby Overton is of course always good, but the O’Briain is probably not so much underrated as not widely known. I have one and love it. I don’t play it much because I don’t spend much time in Low D territory. It’s a starkly beautiful and tuneable whistle with a rich full sound. The tone holes are on the large side, if that’s a consideration for you. I don’t think it’s as “quick” as a Copeland on jigs, but in my case that may be a function of having to carefully get coverage on the tone holes, i.e., it’s me that’s not quick on this whistle.
I thought I read somewhere that he’s not making whistles any more, but you can check with Blayne Chastain at Whistle and Drum, the last known source.
But hey, how can you go wrong with an Overton, esp. with Colin working with you to get what you want?
I had an O’Briain. I currently have a Jubilee Aluminum, an Overton and a Copeland.
Why did I return the O’Briain? The air requirements were comparatively high and I did not like the way the mouthpiece felt in my mouth (quite a bit larger than the Overton and still square) and the finger stretch was a bit more than the Overton as well. The sound was not that apealing either. It just did not work for me.
As you probably expected, choosing a whistle is a VERY personal thing…
first thanks for the opinions their great im one to live in the upper register and wood. so the low D metal is a little mind boggling.
The burke I thought was a brass and was seen online probaly a mistake but I know it is a burke and the site called it brass I will investigate that later.
If you want a wooden low-D, Phil Bleazey’s have gotten some positive reviews. I haven’t played a Grinter low-D, but the low-G and -F that I have are wonderful. Jon Swayne also has made low-D’s, but not in the last few years.
If you favor wood whistles, but want the stability and ruggedness of a metal whistle, you might try a Burke composite. I prefer metal whistles myself, and joke about putting “sewer pipe” in my mouth, but I have Burke composites in A and low F and both have a very “woody” tone and feel.
[quote]If you want a wooden low-D, Phil Bleazey’s have gotten some positive reviews. I haven’t played a Grinter low-D, but the low-G and -F that I have are wonderful. Jon Swayne also has made low-D’s, but not in the last few years. [quote]
Trust me I know But condtions do not permit With the travel im going to be doing, and humitidy and moisture. Just dont think it would not be smart.
I have more than enough wood insturments to know that no matter what people claim the weather can get you down. And being my only low D for now I need something that is, shall I say more suited to my conditions. But god I love the sound of wood.
I think that Copelands can sound haunting. (Maybe I’m just haunted.) I think if you have an Overton low D and a Copeland you are equipped for anything. No excuses—if you sound bad it’s you not the whistle. That said, I agree that Howards have a nice haunting sound—I have a low C not a D—and are the best value for money amongst the cheapies.
If you have small hands and don’t mind eccentric fingering, a Reyburn with offset holes would be a good choice. Finally, if you want a nice balance between a traditional low D sound, to the extent that a sound about 20 years old can be traditional, and a responsive whistle for fast tunes, a Burke composite might be your best bet.
And yes I understand that the shivers thing is subject to the musicians playing, but some whistles seem to do it better than others. If it makes something pop into mind I like the sound of a clarke also, but I am not seeking a shaw. size and weight do not matter.
) I sold it on the board. I can’t wait to get my hands on another one.
But god I love the sound of wood.
Check it out home of the brave land of the free!!!