I just got a couple of Chieftain Gold whistles from Lark in the Morning (They still have a few on the shelves). I picked up a soprano D and a low D.
I’ve only had a few minutes to try 'em out, but I can definitely say that my goal with the low-D has been achieved. This whistle will definitely hold its own in session. Of course, I’m going to have to get used to blowing a bit harder to get the second octave now… I also now understand the concept of the “cosmic sewerpipe”. There’s quite a bit of overtone in this whistle, which gives it a very deep sound. The fingering is a bit wider on this one than the Dixon, but I find I still can’t get piper fingering on it properly. I’m still hitting across a joint. But, I can still finger-tip it pretty comfortably. (So far, the only whistle I could piper-finger properly was a low-low-A.)
Session is tonight, must practice… 
BTW, a hearty “zounds!” goes out to the folks at Lark. I ordered these Monday, and had three day shipping on them. The fact that they’re here in two days is astounding.
Congratulations!! I have the Gold A. It’s nickname is Little Big Man. It speaks not only with volume, but authority and character as well.
Once you get used to it, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Gold soprano D. I’m on the fence about ordering one. I already have several wonderful soprano D’s…do I need a new one? Time is running out…soon they’ll all be gone…arghhhhhh…tic-toc…tic-toc…
On 2002-08-22 00:25, vaporlock wrote:
Once you get used to it, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Gold soprano D
The Soprano D is easy. It doesn’t have any characteristics that make it significantly more difficult than the others I have. The biggest difference is that it’s louder than the others I own, even my Soodlum.
I know what you mean about the A. I’ve got one, and it really speaks up for itself. My wife’s not too fond of me practicing with it when she’s trying to concentrate on something.
If you want a gold D, I wouldn’t dally about it too much. They’re not being made anymore, and Lark had only five of them when I ordered mine. I don’t know of anyone else who has any left in stock.
The low-D is going to take some getting used to. The actual air requirements don’t seem to be excessive (less than a Clarke original), but the pressure requirements are definitely higher than what I’m used to. Once I get used to where it shifts octaves, this whistle is really going to be very enjoyable. I played it at session tonight, and there was no doubt that I could be heard clearly. The big holes are good for me too, since I have big fingers. They also give me a lot of control for doing slides.
Mike,
The “Gold” Chieftains are quite a whistle aren’t they? I think that people are going to be sorry when these are all gone from the shelves. I have one in High D, C, Bb,A, F and Low D. I would love to find one for sale in G.
John
Hot and muggy in SW Ohio
John, could you briefly describe the characteristics of the soprano D? Chiff, strength in the upper octave, ease of sliding notes, etc, etc. I’ve had a Chieftain sop D before and found it to be a very good whistle, but I’ve never heard anything on the Gold sop D and how the two compare.
Thanks in advance,
Eric
On 2002-08-23 02:14, vaporlock wrote:
John, could you briefly describe the characteristics of the soprano D? Chiff, strength in the upper octave, ease of sliding notes, etc, etc. I’ve had a Chieftain sop D before and found it to be a very good whistle, but I’ve never heard anything on the Gold sop D and how the two compare.
Well, I can’t really give you a comparison either, not having a regular chieftain to compare to.
It’s chiffier than my Dixon Soprano D and my Meg. It’s not as mellow as the Dixon (The Dixon is very mellow and pure). It also seems to have a more “substantial” sound, but I’d be hard pressed to describe it in any more detail. It has a lot more back-pressure than either of them also. Extremely fast response. Harder to push into the second octave, but easy to keep it there. This, of course, means greater volume in the lower octave. A couple folks commented on its weight, saying it’s quite heavy. However, I have a hard time feeling that way about it after playing the Gold low-D, which weighs in at less than a half-ounce shy of a full pound.