I'm new to the whistle. I've played conventional flute for years and have a good start to the whistle. I have a couple of Feadog and Dixon Whistles. Who are the preferred makers? Welcome your input.
I love my Fred Rose...But then i am biased..Hello Fred!...I do like Tony Dixon whistles too.
I think it depends on what/where you want to play.When you find the right one for you,you will know..!
I play an Alba low whistle which i find easy to play but i have a high D whistle by Alba and i don't find it as playable..
I'm happy with the Generation. It is amazingly penetrating. It p*sses off rival - I mean fellow - buskers round a couple of corners and strikes through the thunder of the bodhrans like jagged lightning. It is the vodka of whistles; it may weak and weedy, but it goes for the jugular.
I think it depends on what sort of sound and performance you are after. There are so many high-quality whistles out there, you ask ten whistle players and they'll tell you ten makers. There is no substitute for hands-on (or should I say lips-on) experience. You need to play a lot of whistles and see what appeals to you. Usually people coming from a Boehm flute (which is what I think you mean by conventional flute) background don't care for the traditional Irish whistle sound, which is the sound of Generation whistles. Like it or not, in the old days Generations and Clarkes were the only whistles used by traditional players simply because nothing else was available, so the sound of these whistles defined what whistles were supposed to sound like to generations of Irish players. I'm one of them. When I started playing whistle in the 70's all the people I listened to played Generations and I played Generations and that was what a whistle was supposed to be.
Then came along a bunch of new makers who didn't come from an Irish music background and whose goal seemed to be to make a whistle which sounded like a recorder. To me, they were importing a foreign tonal ideal. You usually saw these whistles in the hands of players who likewise didn't come from a traditional Irish background. Old-timers like me stuck loyally to our beloved Generations.
Now it's different because there are a lot of high-end whistle makers who have a more traditional view of what a whistle should sound like.
The main difference to me seems to be the relative size of the bore. Generations have a relatively narrow bore and can be very sweet and responsive in the 2nd register, though at the sacrifice of volume in the 1st register. Get a wide-bore whistle of the same pitch and you usually end up with a full 1st register but harsh or difficult 2nd register. Traditional players like a whistle which is very responsive and can handle all the jumps occuring in a complex reel up to full speed.
Susato whistles, at least the high ones, have a loud full sound but don't have the responsiveness expected of a traditional whistle. I like the low ones, my low C is great.
I'm a recent convert to Burke whistles. I played a narrow-bore (Generation bore) high D and it played exactly like a traditional Generation-type whistle but far better, both fuller in tone and perfectly in tune. Burke also makes a wide-bore high D he calls the Session. I have a Burke low D and it's the best low D I've played (I currently have Susato, Overton, Howard, and Kerry low D's in addition to the Burke).
In Ireland, some players still stick to the Generation, but I know many others converted to the Susato. The most old-fashioned flute and whistle players I've met in person include Christy Barry, Francis Rasdale of Fermanagh, and Mick Nestor of Corofin, and they all play the Susato.
I've got a tweaked generation too which I like even if it's a touch quiet for session playing. Can't remember who tweaked it though......before it got rubbed off it had a sticker on it with a picture of a mouse. Hmmmmmm
RoisinB - that would be Jerry Freeman who tweaked your whistle.
I've gone through a mess of whistles, but finally settled on the Dixon trad - sounds like a really good generation to me. Also, it's only aobut $22 USD so you're not taking a major risk on one.
I think whistles are highly personal. I know some good players who stick with Oaks.
It's really funny to see so many people from the States care about who made your whistle. Any whistle will come to sound sweet if you play it for long. Just don't flirt much!
Slainte- you would be amused by this perhaps- I was teaching at a festival and met a man who, literally, had every make of whistle on the planet. He had over a hundred high D whistles alone. He could talk at length about the pros and cons and ins and outs of each make- but I never heard him actually play anything. He didn't seem to know any tunes or know how to play the whistle. In the old days it was simple- you got the best Generation D you could find, and LEARNED HOW TO PLAY!
It's absurd to show up at a session or workshop and see all these beginning whistle players with their $200 whistles that they can't play.
My two favorites are my Abell and Burke. The Dixon's I own are also great. However, there is a lot to be said and a lot of forgiveness in my Generations.
I'm quite enjoying my S.Z.B.E. whistle from Ken Matsusaka, made in his workshop in Kyoto, Japan. I have both high and low 'D' whistles made by him. I find myself playing it ahead of even my Copeland!
A couple of weeks ago I ran into Maurice Reviol and told him he must come to this site as everytime I see a discussion on whistles and flutes his name is mentioned. Seesh prove me wrong why dont you. ;)
I agree with the observation that it's the player that makes the whistle.
There are a large number of people turning to traditional music at the moment. A lot of them are retirees getting back to thier roots after a lifetime of corporate servitude.
As old buggers, the whistle seems the best option to get a result before the reaper comes to visit.
Being cashed-up and skilled in R&D, some of these beginners collect themselves expensive, decorative and rare instruments before they can play a simple jig. Nothing wrong with that - whistles seem easy to play until one starts understanding what it takes to play ITM - some opt for a lower hurdle.
There might seem to be a lot of whistle makers - but compared to guitars or fiddles, there are not that many at all.
Most hand made whistles are done out of love for the instrument rather than as a commercial effort. For this reason, you can find some damn fine examples.
Regardless of makers - it's important to try a few out to find which one suits you at the time. Needs and appreciation change with experience. The "best" whistle or maker does not exist - the whistle is either playable or not, and that depends on the player to a great extent.
A cheapie is often all that's needed, but I also see a lot of Abells on stage these days.
Without a doubt, Chris Abell Whistles ( Asheville,N.C. ,U.S.A .)makes one of ( IF NOT) the best. Great workmanship, beautiful tone, .....all around a 'masterpiece'. I love my 'D' (playing it forever), and 'C ' and my 'A' i s a' ting 'of beautiful sound; Chris stands behing his products too.
5 'GREEN STARS *****( Highest Whistle Rating)
I even purchased a few as very special gifts too!!!
Who are the preferred whistle makers?
Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I'm new to the whistle. I've played conventional flute for years and have a good start to the whistle. I have a couple of Feadog and Dixon Whistles. Who are the preferred makers? Welcome your input.
# Posted on June 16th 2007 by beowolf1
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I love my Fred Rose...But then i am biased..Hello Fred!...I do like Tony Dixon whistles too.
I think it depends on what/where you want to play.When you find the right one for you,you will know..!
I play an Alba low whistle which i find easy to play but i have a high D whistle by Alba and i don't find it as playable..
# Posted on June 16th 2007 by fionarua
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I'm happy with the Generation. It is amazingly penetrating. It p*sses off rival - I mean fellow - buskers round a couple of corners and strikes through the thunder of the bodhrans like jagged lightning. It is the vodka of whistles; it may weak and weedy, but it goes for the jugular.
(Pretentious? Moi?)
# Posted on June 16th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
really depends on who you talk to. but in my opinion: burke, sindt, copeland.
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by Brendan
abell i'd put in there too.
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by Brendan
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
Brendan's list is good I have a couple to add to it.
Overton, Kerry/Chieftain, O'Riordan, and Swayne.
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by Why Bother?
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I am with you 122, O'Riordan's are sweet.
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by Joseph Beck
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
May be lesser known, but I always vote for Reyburn when this question comes up here.
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by mjct
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
There is no accounting for taste....
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by slainte
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I think it depends on what sort of sound and performance you are after. There are so many high-quality whistles out there, you ask ten whistle players and they'll tell you ten makers. There is no substitute for hands-on (or should I say lips-on) experience. You need to play a lot of whistles and see what appeals to you. Usually people coming from a Boehm flute (which is what I think you mean by conventional flute) background don't care for the traditional Irish whistle sound, which is the sound of Generation whistles. Like it or not, in the old days Generations and Clarkes were the only whistles used by traditional players simply because nothing else was available, so the sound of these whistles defined what whistles were supposed to sound like to generations of Irish players. I'm one of them. When I started playing whistle in the 70's all the people I listened to played Generations and I played Generations and that was what a whistle was supposed to be.
Then came along a bunch of new makers who didn't come from an Irish music background and whose goal seemed to be to make a whistle which sounded like a recorder. To me, they were importing a foreign tonal ideal. You usually saw these whistles in the hands of players who likewise didn't come from a traditional Irish background. Old-timers like me stuck loyally to our beloved Generations.
Now it's different because there are a lot of high-end whistle makers who have a more traditional view of what a whistle should sound like.
The main difference to me seems to be the relative size of the bore. Generations have a relatively narrow bore and can be very sweet and responsive in the 2nd register, though at the sacrifice of volume in the 1st register. Get a wide-bore whistle of the same pitch and you usually end up with a full 1st register but harsh or difficult 2nd register. Traditional players like a whistle which is very responsive and can handle all the jumps occuring in a complex reel up to full speed.
Susato whistles, at least the high ones, have a loud full sound but don't have the responsiveness expected of a traditional whistle. I like the low ones, my low C is great.
I'm a recent convert to Burke whistles. I played a narrow-bore (Generation bore) high D and it played exactly like a traditional Generation-type whistle but far better, both fuller in tone and perfectly in tune. Burke also makes a wide-bore high D he calls the Session. I have a Burke low D and it's the best low D I've played (I currently have Susato, Overton, Howard, and Kerry low D's in addition to the Burke).
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by Richard D Cook
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
In Ireland, some players still stick to the Generation, but I know many others converted to the Susato. The most old-fashioned flute and whistle players I've met in person include Christy Barry, Francis Rasdale of Fermanagh, and Mick Nestor of Corofin, and they all play the Susato.
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by slainte
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
You can see a lot of different makers work and read reviews here: http://www.chiffandfipple.com/Expens.html
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by StephenR
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
silkstone/susato
I've got a tweaked generation too which I like even if it's a touch quiet for session playing. Can't remember who tweaked it though......before it got rubbed off it had a sticker on it with a picture of a mouse. Hmmmmmm
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by RoisinB
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
RoisinB - that would be Jerry Freeman who tweaked your whistle.
I've gone through a mess of whistles, but finally settled on the Dixon trad - sounds like a really good generation to me. Also, it's only aobut $22 USD so you're not taking a major risk on one.
I think whistles are highly personal. I know some good players who stick with Oaks.
Eric
# Posted on June 17th 2007 by Jayhawk
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
without a doubt Sindt whistles.
# Posted on June 18th 2007 by rob_handel
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
It's really funny to see so many people from the States care about who made your whistle. Any whistle will come to sound sweet if you play it for long. Just don't flirt much!
# Posted on June 18th 2007 by slainte
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
Slainte- you would be amused by this perhaps- I was teaching at a festival and met a man who, literally, had every make of whistle on the planet. He had over a hundred high D whistles alone. He could talk at length about the pros and cons and ins and outs of each make- but I never heard him actually play anything. He didn't seem to know any tunes or know how to play the whistle. In the old days it was simple- you got the best Generation D you could find, and LEARNED HOW TO PLAY!
It's absurd to show up at a session or workshop and see all these beginning whistle players with their $200 whistles that they can't play.
# Posted on June 18th 2007 by Richard D Cook
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
My two favorites are my Abell and Burke. The Dixon's I own are also great. However, there is a lot to be said and a lot of forgiveness in my Generations.
# Posted on June 18th 2007 by whistler gan ainm
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
Burke
# Posted on June 18th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I'm quite enjoying my S.Z.B.E. whistle from Ken Matsusaka, made in his workshop in Kyoto, Japan. I have both high and low 'D' whistles made by him. I find myself playing it ahead of even my Copeland!
# Posted on June 19th 2007 by chscott
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
A couple of weeks ago I ran into Maurice Reviol and told him he must come to this site as everytime I see a discussion on whistles and flutes his name is mentioned. Seesh prove me wrong why dont you. ;)
# Posted on June 19th 2007 by Joze
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I vote for Clarke! What could be more traditional than a REAL tin whistle?
# Posted on June 19th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
I agree with the observation that it's the player that makes the whistle.
There are a large number of people turning to traditional music at the moment. A lot of them are retirees getting back to thier roots after a lifetime of corporate servitude.
As old buggers, the whistle seems the best option to get a result before the reaper comes to visit.
Being cashed-up and skilled in R&D, some of these beginners collect themselves expensive, decorative and rare instruments before they can play a simple jig. Nothing wrong with that - whistles seem easy to play until one starts understanding what it takes to play ITM - some opt for a lower hurdle.
There might seem to be a lot of whistle makers - but compared to guitars or fiddles, there are not that many at all.
Most hand made whistles are done out of love for the instrument rather than as a commercial effort. For this reason, you can find some damn fine examples.
Regardless of makers - it's important to try a few out to find which one suits you at the time. Needs and appreciation change with experience. The "best" whistle or maker does not exist - the whistle is either playable or not, and that depends on the player to a great extent.
A cheapie is often all that's needed, but I also see a lot of Abells on stage these days.
# Posted on June 20th 2007 by Mozle
Re: Who are the preferred whistle makers?
Without a doubt, Chris Abell Whistles ( Asheville,N.C. ,U.S.A .)makes one of ( IF NOT) the best. Great workmanship, beautiful tone, .....all around a 'masterpiece'. I love my 'D' (playing it forever), and 'C ' and my 'A' i s a' ting 'of beautiful sound; Chris stands behing his products too.
5 'GREEN STARS *****( Highest Whistle Rating)
I even purchased a few as very special gifts too!!!
# Posted on February 6th 2008 by firnatine