I found the following in the whistle reviews…
“They don’t respond fast enough for good ornamentation and the fingerholes are too large.”
I find this curious..I have pretty small fingers and I do not find the holes large at all. Also, as a relative beginner of 14 months playing, I find it very easy to play.
Also it makes me sound good,
'Why is there controversy about this whistle, as mentioned in the review?
You might want to post a link to the review in question, might help in getting you a response here.
Loren
Ralph Sweet is capable of excellent work. I have about 8 of his instruments. But I have also played about 25-30 that were unacceptable. Consistency is not his strong point. Congratulations…you got a good one.
I have pretty small hands myself, and no problem with the Sweethearts, including the new model, which is all he will be making in the future.
He’s very responsive to emails, so you may want to drop him a note asking him your questions.
I haven’t had any problems with my Sweet, either, and am able to play fast tunes and with fast ornamentation just fine.
I have the first new model, the revoiced whistle before it’s fipple appearance changed. I believe the review in question corresponds to the older version of the whistle. Mine is nicely balanced between registers and the tone holes are just big enough to make half-holing easy.
Lisa
How has the fipple appearance changed? The ones I see in the on-line catalogs look a little like six-holed recorders…has that changed? Frankly, it’s one thing that’s kept me from ever being attracted to that particular whistle.
Redwolf
I posted about the prototype about a month ago, with pics. There isn’t much about the new whistle that resembles the old one, other than the logo, IMO. The bore is different, the fipple is entirely different, the blade and window. . .anyway, its supplanted my Burke as session whistle of choice.
I have no idea if I have an old one or a new one…all I know is it is sweet and pretty and a joy to play.
Something i like is that i can use the slightest amount of breath to play it quietly or lots of breath to play it more loudly. And it sounds good either way.