I haven’t purchased a new whistle in over a year. After trying several different brands (all cheep ones), I decided that it was time to focus solely on my playing, and less on the whistle. Especially since I kept going back to my first whistle, an original Clarke D. Although I don’t find it as responsive as some of the cylindrical whistles, I like everything else about it – the tone, the feel, and the volume (I prefer a quieter whistle).
However, after reading all of the positive reviews of the Dixon’s, I have been thinking about spending a little of my holiday cash on a non-tunable D (I only play for my own amusement, so I would rather save the extra few dollars). The only thing that concerns me is that it may be too loud for my taste, and that I may not care for the tone (I read in one review that they have a slight Sweetone-like sound, and I never did care for my Sweetone from day one).
So my question is, has anyone who is a big fan of the original Clarke’s purchased a Dixon? And if so, how do you like it?
I have also been thinking about adding a Clare two-piece to the order, but that is another issue entirely.
I’m a Clarke Original fan. Love the sound, but not the breath requirement.
I don’t like Sweetones.
I’ve had two dixon tunable whistle/piccolo units in high D. Didn’t like the first, gave away the second. It’s not that they are bad, they are plain sounding (same complaint with Sweetones). Not very in tune and boring. If you like a fairly quiet low cost whislte my #1 recommendation is an Oak. Out of the box they are acceptable…about as good as a Dixon IMHO. They respond wonderfully to a standard sticky tac / guitar pick tweak. Beautiful, soft, round, flute-like, yet still whistle-like sound. Nicely in tune with itself too. They also take other brand fipples very well. I have an Oak barrel with unknown (possibly Waltons) fipple that is the best instrument in whistledom.
Tom.
I don’t have an original Clarke…but I got two low Dixons for Christmas and I love the sound. It doesn’t sound anything like the Sweetone (which I do have). I haven’t ever heard the high D Dixon, but it if sounds anything like the lows, it must be really nice.
I have a Dixon high D and low G and they are my most beloved whistles. I started with an original Clark and although I liked the sound, I didn’t care for the feeling of blowing into a tunnel. I also have a Hoover, an Overton, Oak, Claire, Feadog, Sweetone and several Generations. I continue to return to the Dixons (particularly the G). I’m constantly amazed at how varied opinions are about whistles. That’s part of the beauty of the instrument. I think Dixons are certainly worth trying and if I were you, I would spend the few extra dollars for the tunable one. I also only play by myself, however, if you’re ever trying to learn a tune from a recording and the whistle used to make the recording is in a slightly different key, you’ll be glad you can adjust yours enough to play along.
Hi Kerry,
I have the Dixon Soprano high D non tuneable.
It really plays well, i have been playing my Clarkes orig more because its the quietist whistle I have. I am just starting out.
I was playing most of my whistles earlier this evening and when i played the Dixons, wow so easy.
Suffers alittle on the moisture though.
They are not expensive at all, i paid ten uk pounds + delivery.
Tonys a really nice guy, i talked to him before ordering mine.. so helpful.
I have not tried any of the moisture remedys yet, i might e-mail Tony for his advice.
Buy one i dont think you will regret.
I like all my whistles…
Tony Fletcher…
I have a Dixon A & G, and can address the volume question. At home, in my bedroom, they play like nice quiet whistles. However, when I took them out busking in the acoustically-amazing subway stations, they seemed to somehow get MUCH louder.
Unlike other whistles (my Gen Bb and Chieftain A spring to mind), where you have to blow with a certain pressure to get the notes to sound right, and therefore are sort of stuck with a certain volume, Dixons seem to be more flexible. You can actually control the volume with your breath, and still hit the notes correctly.
I am not familiar with the higher Dixons, but I love my A & G in a big, big way. They are so easy to play, I reach for them as a default.
I, too, like the Clarke sound, and Dixons, while not that warm & flutey, are still in that realm (and not Sweetone-ish), IMHO. You might consider a Shaw–they are like Clarkes, but better made and come in a wider variety of keys. I have a C I really like.