Ok – I’m sure everyone has heard from someone like me a few hundred times, and that there’s probably been a thread before with the same topic, so if thats the case, I apologize in advace.
That being said, here we go:
I’m looking into buying a higher quality whistle than the Sweetones, Waltons, etc. I have laying around my house. Probably one in D or Eb, preferably tunable. I’ve read over the whistle guides on this site, and I’m fairly familiar with many whistle makers, but I haven’t had the opportunity to hear many of their whistles played in person, so I figured I’d ask the people who have. I’m looking for something with a pure tone, very sweet… not much breathyness, and not a major wind requirement. Also, I’m not sure that I want to shell out the cash for, say, a Copeland or Thin Weasel quite yet – but anything up to about $130 is reasonable for now.
Is this making a particular whistle jump out in anyone’s mind?
Burke comes in just under your price limit, but combines a very pure tone, easy and clear 3rd register, with the ability to take aggressive play. It’s also a “just breathe” whistle but you can also get a little more aggressive if you want.
imho, the hoover whitecap is hard to beat for the money. amazing how it improves a whistle. of course, the whistle you’ll looking for, will probaly be the one after your next one…and the next one…and the next one. beware of the slippery slope!
It’s also a very soft, non-tunable whistle designed to let you practice without disturbing family / neighbors…it’s sound isn’t designed to project, carry, or cut through. In fact, you just about can’t hear it outside the room you’re playing it in.
The Q1 is a responsive, stable, fun whistle to play. It’s a great whistle.
I’d strongly recommend a Burke black tip (exposed delrin fipple) soprano D. It meets your stated requirements, is a wonderful whistle with respect to tone, playability, comfort, and has IMHO a stronger improved bottom end as compared to earlier Burkes.
The only drawback to a Sindt is that there is a waiting list of about 9 months to get one. But what a whistle. I brought mine to my lesson shortly after I got it and my teacher didn’t put it down until I had to go. I left it with him for a week and he offered to buy it from me for $100. Jessie’s description above is right on.
Mike
I will add my vote for the Burke AL high D with the delrin fipple. I have had mine almost a year and I still really like the way it plays and sounds. The one drawback is that it does not take much air to push it to the second register. I compensate for this by letting some air leak out the side of my mouth.
The music store where I got mine (Family Tree Music in Springboro, OH) had it in stock so I did not have to wait.
Elf Song. Pure, sweet, low breath requirements, little chiff, and you can have your choice of copper or brass, plain or painted in one of any number of lovely designs. And the price is right at $75.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone… I’ll be checking those out. I’ve also been recommended to Chieftains (Tunable/non - $120/$105, respectively). Any thoughts on these?
I agree with Redwolf. However, in my humble opinion, the new Elfsong brass D or D/C combination with delrin fipple plug is even better than the copper ones with oak fipple plug. When I first got mine I did not have to get used to it I just started playing it. Any other whistles I had to get used to first before I could blast out a tune, but not this new one. Good luck.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone… I’ll be checking those out. I’ve also been recommended to Chieftains (Tunable/non - $120/$105, respectively). Any thoughts on these?
Sindt’s are the way to go if you’ve got the time to wait. I love my Sindt’s. However a whistle that’s very similar in CPVC is a Humphrey’s Retro-fit head. Very pure and a lot like a Sindt in manufacture and sound. You can PM him, his handle is raindog1970.
They are loud, not often pure but kind of hissy at times, and unreliably tuned. Whoever recommended them to you either did not take into account what you are looking for, or has not played another make of whistle.
I’m looking for something with a pure tone, very sweet… not much breathyness, and not a major wind requirement. Also, I’m not sure that I want to shell out the cash for, say, a Copeland or Thin Weasel quite yet – but anything up to about $130 is reasonable for now.