I got my new Dixon for Christmas, and I love it, but…
Is there a whistle that sounds even half as sweet as a Lon Dubh without costing so much? I can’t get over how pure the sound is on the clips I’ve heard. For some odd reason I feel the need to play Down by the Sally Garden on something with that pure of a sound. Of course it could just be one of those slow days at work when the random thought generator gets stuck on.
Well, I’ve never played a Lon Dubh whistle. I don’t doubt they’re great, but I think it’s worth reminding ourselves that audio clips aren’t really a good way to judge the sound of a whistle. There are just too many variables.
You’ll generally do better by reading the threads, getting other peoples’ impressions, and then applying (fill-in-a-number) grains of salt.
Well…
Do take into account that sound clips may be ‘polished’ a little bit, so the real thing may not completely sound like the clip. Not saying that’s the case here.
Rose whistles sound similar (I’ve played a couple of Roses, but never a Lon Dubh, so I’m just going on clips I’ve heard).
Not cheap, but cheaper…
-brett
You have a discriminating ear in my view. The Lon Dubh whistle does have a unique sound that is very lovely. It also has the easiest and sweetest sounding second octave of any whistle I have ever played. It is a joy to own and play. If you decide to save up and get one (when available), you will cherish it. I hear that Pat O’Dwyer is looking into C and Eb whistles in addition to the D. Can’t wait.
I don’t own a Rose (have one on order) but I have heard they are similar but the price tag is maybe only 10 - 15% off the Lon Dubh.
The one whistle that I own that I would describe as similar in sound and playability to my Lon Dubh is my Reyburn Narrow Bore D. While a much different whistle (brass instead of wood, thin bore, etc) it does, to my ear, have surprisingly similar sound to the Lon Dubh (slightly more air requirements than the LD but the requirements for the LD are ridiculously low). The second octave of the Reyburn NB D is very easy and sweet sounding. Not much (that I’ve played) can compare to the second octave of the LD but the Reyburn NB D comes close.
At $110, it is much less money than the LD. Unfortunately, Ronaldo does not have a clip posted on his site for the NB D, just the session D (which is different from the NB) so you should call him to find out about a sound clip for the NB D.
Good luck.