I’m out traveling for work, and it seems that my return travel will put me pretty close to the Whistle Shop. I thought I would stop by and possibly pick up a new whistle, but I don’t want to spend much over $50.00. I’ve been playing a clark original (and I really like it), and I wanted to know what recommendations people would make based on my history with clark.
Any recommendations (I’d like to get a whistle that has clearer/easier notes in the high end of the 2nd octave)?
Well, I don’t know if you’ll be able to get one of Mack Hoover’s whistles there, but it might suit your needs. The high octaves are a lot easier to play than they are on my Feadog. And the sound is clean and sweet.
Enjoy your shopping! I’d love to be able to spend some time at the Whistle Shop! Without my credit card . . .
Hi Jason: I find that the Dixon D is crystal clear, easy and fun to play, and a bargain at the price. You could choose between tunable, tunable with brass tuning slide, or nontunable. Have a safe trip!
Mary
On 2002-06-06 15:26, Whistlin’Dixie wrote:
Hi Jason: I find that the Dixon D is crystal clear, easy and fun to play, and a bargain at the price. You could choose between tunable, tunable with brass tuning slide, or nontunable. Have a safe trip!
Mary
Yeah, the Dixons look like a great buy for my price range (I really like the brass tuning slide). Can you (or anyone) give me a comparison in sound to the original clark?
I really like the mellow sound of the clark, but somedays the extra breathy sound gets a bit old, and I really hate trying to get a good solid high B out of it.
Jason - Drop an email to Thom to set up an a time for you to visit the shop. When I visited, he indicated that he wasn’t always at the shop, but would be more than happy to make sure he was available when someone came by.
Once you get in, all your questions become moot - you’ll be able to try more whistles than you thought possible!! Good luck staying within your $50 limit!!
[ This Message was edited by: DanD on 2002-06-06 16:47 ]
One of the things I like best about my Susato D is the crisp, clear upper octave. I’ve been playing it a lot lately, and the more I play it, the better I like it. It’s very different, both in feel and in tone from the Clarke original…it has a solid, substantial feel and a fairly loud, but rich voice. It likes to be blown with some authority (I had some trouble with it at first because I tend to underblow a bit) but when you get used to it, it’s a really nice whistle.
The upper octave lacks that screechy, shrill quality I sometimes get from my Generations, which makes me more confident playing higher songs. I also find this one a little easier to half-hole…something about the shape of the body and the size of the holes makes things a little simpler.
If you’d like something a little different, just for fun (and comparison’s sake), it might be a good choice for you (and it’s definitely within your price range). In fact, you could get something like the Susato AND something like a Generation or Clare (also very different, both from the Clarke Original and the Susato), and end up with three very unique whistles to enjoy.
P.S. I noticed some others here mentioned the Dixon, and I’ve been flirting with that (with a tuning slide) for my next whistle purchase (after my credit card recovers a bit from my soon-to-arrive Cillian O’Briain “Improved”), so if you choose one of those, do keep us posted. I really didn’t think I’d like an all-plastic whistle until I bought my Susato (more or less on a whim), but now I’m keen to try some others.
I also want to lend a voice of support for the Dixon, which is a very nice whistle.
Also, you might try the VSB (very-small-bore) Susato. It has a very similar sound and response to the Dixon while requiring less air. The Dixon has a little more chiff and just a touch of breathiness, the VSB Susato has a very clean and pure sound with a slight bit of bite.
Jason - You might take a look at the “Original Tweaked Clarke” that Thom has - if you like Clarke already, this is an improved version and is a good choice that is less than $50, being roughly half that. It plays very easily in both octaves, the mouthpiece is much more comfortable, and since you are used to and like the Clarke characteristics, I highly recommend this one.
Another recommendation: I just got a Claire brass two-piece whistle from Thom which I am VERY impressed with. The finish isn’t all that good, but the sound and tone is fantastic. It’s a little louder than the Clarke, but it’s still not a “loud” whistle if that’s what you are looking for.
But
I’m just a beginner, so what do I
know…
[ This Message was edited by: Kendra on 2002-06-07 19:12 ]
I’m voting for Thom’s tweaked Clarke. The Thom Larson tweaked Clarke D is the best whistle value out there. I don’t know if he tweaks C’s, but if he does, you could probably get a D and a C for your $50. If you’re making a special visit to Thom, you might as well get something you can’t get anywhere else!
Sadly, I tried to visit the Whistle Shop on Friday, but I arrived just a bit late and they were closed (their store hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and I go there at 3:30 pm).
However, now I’m obsessed with seeing the shop, and I’ll probably just make a special trip up there in the near future =) (it’s only 2 1/2 hours from where I live).
Anyway, I’ve gotta try the Dixon! I have a Susato whistle (2 actually) and I really liked them. Well, that was before I started paying the Clarke, and now the Susato just sound too loud to my ears. My only complaint about the Clarke is getting high A and B without dropping into the first octave. My hope is that the Dixon falls somewhere in between the Susato and the Clarke on loudness and is easier on the high A’s and B’s.
The tweaked Clarke is second on my list, though I’ll probably get one even if I do get the Dixon =).
[quote]
On 2002-06-08 16:15, Jason Burke wrote:
Wow! Thanks all for the great replies!
Sadly, I tried to visit the Whistle Shop on Friday, but I arrived just a bit late and they were closed (their store hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and I go there at 3:30 pm).
quote]
Ahhh, then, you didn’t email ahead to let him know you were coming, eh? Hmmm…
Jason: Not to rub salt or anything, but I was at the Whistle Shop Friday morning. I had e-mailed Thom last week (Friday was his birthday) so my wife and I got to check out
the store. Kid in a candy store sort of thing-PLENTY of demo whistles to try out (a Silkstone Low is next on my list). Great guy, great shop–set up an appointment, you won’t be disappointed.
Bob Corcoran
P.S. Thanks Thom
[ This Message was edited by: RCORC on 2002-06-09 23:00 ]
On 2002-06-09 22:38, RCORC wrote:
Jason: Not to rub salt or anything, but I was at the Whistle Shop Friday morning. I had e-mailed Thom last week (Friday was his birthday) so my wife and I got to check out
the store. Kid in a candy store sort of thing-PLENTY of demo whistles to try out (a Silkstone Low is next on my list). Great guy, great shop–set up an appointment, you won’t be disappointed.
Bob Corcoran
P.S. Thanks Thom
[ This Message was edited by: RCORC on 2002-06-09 23:00 ]
I’ll email him next time, but I’ll feel funny having him open the store if I’m only going to buy a $35.00 whistle. Seems like a waste of his time which is why I was trying to get there on a weekday afternoon. I had no idea that they had such unusual hours though. Next time I’ll call before I modify my traveling schedule =).
Good luck staying within your $50 limit!!