Hi Guys,
This is my first post so I’m sorry if this has been covered before?
I am looking to get a full set of whistles but because I have not been playing very long I haven’t got a clue what are good and what are rubbish?
I’m guessin I won’t need a whistle in every key either?
Are there any topics on here that would tell me what whistles to look at and what to stay away from?
Cheers,
Ben.
If you’re interested in Irish Trad, you won’t need a whistle in every key. You can probably play 90% of it on a D and C. Get a D first. If you want to get both, you can either get two whistles, or a C/D set which will have one head and two bodies.
Recommendations will depend on a lot of things. What’s your budget? What type of tone do you want (or do you even know)? Clean? Breathy? Reedy?
There are loads of “Which Whistle?” threads, just use the search function. But, I’m sure you’ll get a few responses here.
Good news is that whistles are cheap, especially the cheapies. 
For cheapies, Feadóg is probably your best bet. I thought the Sweetone was the easiest to play, but many think it’s a bit toy-like. If you’re able to spend around $50, I’d recommend a Mellow Dog C/D set from Jerry Freeman.
Most cheapies will take a bit of getting used to. You’ll be squeaking and squawking for a little while. It’s just a matter of learning proper breath control - just stick with it, and do some reading, learning, and watching (YouTube).
EDITED to change to one head, two bodies as mentioned below.
Jason
I second the suggestion of a Jerry Freeman D/C set.
Or just a D to see what you think. This should keep you
busy for a good while. These whistles play very well,
they’ve been tweaked by an expert, and I think everybody
who plays them thinks they work. No quality control
issues, as is not uncommon with (other) cheapies.
I know Generation sells them from high G to Bb. Also, I think Syn sets sell full sets of whistles.
If you could get a Blackbird D/C set from Jerry, that would be perfect. The Blackbird has an amazing sound (and, since it requires decent breath control, learning on it can really help you out when playing other whistles).
One head and two bodies, no?
I can speak from myself, I’m a beginner that started with a Clark’s Celtic (which is pretty much the same as a Sweetone).
It’s easy to play, has one or two issues passing from one octave to the other, but since I’m sure my breath control is far from perfect I’d bet that’s the problem.
A nice choice to begin with, IMHO.
Cheers.
I’m quite new myself, so take anything I say with more than a small grain of salt, but I’ve got a Tony Dixon Trad in nickel and its a wonderful little instrument. Easy to play and while its more expensive than a cheapie, it’s not a fiscal heart breaker.
Michael
I’d highly recommend parks every whistle not quiet a cheapie but excellent value, Carey can provide interchangeable bodies in C and Eb to go with the standard D, it also has the added advantage of the tone ring which allows for volume control for quiet practise;well worth considering.
I strongly suggest that you try several cheapies, depending on your access (i.e., local shops, while traveling, internet shops) on your own, and give some extended time to one or those that you hit it off with. I seem to be in the minority with the degree of good luck I’ve had through the years with cheapies, but have done well with Generation, Waltons, Faedog, Clarke Originals, Sudlums and don’t forget Susato, perhaps a bit more costly but very nice and dependable. Shaw is the only cheapie I can recall having some breathe requirement problems with but that was a long time ago.
I have never found the Sweetones particularly rewarding to play. Many say good things about the Freeman blackbirds (that’s probably the only new whistle I’ve been thinking about trying in some time now).
If you’re up for more pesos, during the above process you can put in an order for a Burke or a Sindt, and then relax.
Have fun; enjoy the music.
Philo
Woops! Yes, one head and two bodies. Fingers typing faster than my brain. I corrected the original post.
Jason
$.02… dixon traditional brass or standard feadog.
the dixon can be had for $20 to $30 USD… i’ve seen feadogs for as little as $3 USD and as much as $19. but, normally they can be had for around 10 or 12 bucks.
both are good, inexpensive whistles. either will give years of pleasure. you would not regret a purchase of either.
be well,
jim
Thanks for the replies,
I already have a Faedog D, Clarke C and Dixon Low D. I really don’t like the Faedog or the Clarke though. I’ve just been out and bought a Generation D and Bb but not too sure about the D.
What would you reccommend between the nickle and brass ones? Is there any difference?
Ben.
What do you not like about the Feadóg and Clarke? That might help people give you more suitable recommendations - or possibly reveal a technique issue.
As for brass vs. nickel - some say brass is warmer, where nickel is brighter. Other considerations are that nickel can be slippery, and that brass will get that rustic patina look that some love and some hate.
Jason
That’s a valid point sorry. lol.
I don’t like the feel and shape of the clarke one, it has a crease down the back of the whislte, it feels horrible.
The faedog one sounds quite harsh, but to be fair I was given it for free and I think they were only about £3 each.
I have played other peoples whistles before but I can never remember the names of them. I like the chunkier shaped D whistles.
Ben.
Try visiting these websites and see if anything looks familiar.
http://www.dmoz.org/Arts/Music/Instruments/Winds/Tin_Whistle/Makers/
I just got a Clare whistle off eBay (used). It’s nice sounding, easy playing, and the new ones are quite reasonable on the price side (I think they are available on the UK eBay site).