So, I've been playing whistle for awhile now and I'm at that point again where I feel the need to get a better instrument. I started on a Clarke original (of all the whistles I could've started on, it had to be that one...) and later bought a brass Feadog, and back in may I bought a Susato at scarborough fair. I enjoy both my feadog and susato but I feel like getting something a little better. In time I want to buy an Abell whistle but at the moment I'm looking at getting a Burke. If this is a good whistle to go with, then which of his whistles should I buy?
For starters, you might try going to Discussions, click on Search, and refer to previous discussions on the various typws of whistles available and their strengths and weaknesses (as perceived by the other whistle players at this site).
The wind players of all types who contribute here are a vocal and knowledgeable lot, so you should get some solid, valuable information from long-time players who really know their instruments. (I am merely a 20-year dabbler on whistle, and have only owned a few styles, not a "specialist", which is what I think you really need.)
Burke's are great and he's a very nice guy to do business with. All of his whistles have sound samples on his website, so that should help you decide what bore and material you want.
Some sneer at the idea of a "high-end" whistle. I've acquired a couple of used Burkes, and find that they're what I play most now. I wouldn't call them "better", (which is totally subjective), I just prefer the sound and feel. My brass Burke C is my favorite of all whistles I have played.
Funny you should say that. People always rave about them. My brass Bb Gen wasn't making it, so I bought another, this time tweaked by Jerry Freeman. Slightly better, but still not what I'd expect in a big Bb. Maybe nickel-chrome is the ticket?
I played a Nickel Bb generation at a ceili the other day and I plan to buy one sometime. As for the Burke, I've listened to plenty of sound clips and I like the tone. If I could, I'd get a copeland (I also got to play one at the ceili and I'm now enamored with it), but I don't feel like waiting much.
I played a Burke narrow-bore (Generation bore) aluminum high D whistle a friend owns, and what impressed me was how it wasn't trying to sound like a recorder, or a Boehm flute, or an Irish flute, or a Native American flute, or any other alien tonal ideal that most high-end whistle makers seem to be going after- it just sounded like a whistle. I'm a Generation traditionalist, I mostly play Generations (heavily self-tweaked) and consider their tone the "real" Irish whistle tone. What I love about Burkes is that they capture the traditional whistle sound but have greatly improved intonation and tone. Burke whistles are remarkably even-sounding throughout the range.
Then I bought a Burke low D, and I was hooked. I just can't put that thing down for very long. It's by far the best low D I've played (though I readily admit I haven't played all the great low whistles out there today). Then I bought a high D "session" (wider bore), high C wide bore, A, and G. All aluminum. All of these whistles are perfectly in tune and completely even in tone and response from the lowest note to "high B".
What I have heard, however, is that a lot of people prefer brass Burkes, saying that they have a warmer sound.
Burke
Burke
So, I've been playing whistle for awhile now and I'm at that point again where I feel the need to get a better instrument. I started on a Clarke original (of all the whistles I could've started on, it had to be that one...) and later bought a brass Feadog, and back in may I bought a Susato at scarborough fair. I enjoy both my feadog and susato but I feel like getting something a little better. In time I want to buy an Abell whistle but at the moment I'm looking at getting a Burke. If this is a good whistle to go with, then which of his whistles should I buy?
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by Leiouekairna
Re: Burke
For starters, you might try going to Discussions, click on Search, and refer to previous discussions on the various typws of whistles available and their strengths and weaknesses (as perceived by the other whistle players at this site).
The wind players of all types who contribute here are a vocal and knowledgeable lot, so you should get some solid, valuable information from long-time players who really know their instruments. (I am merely a 20-year dabbler on whistle, and have only owned a few styles, not a "specialist", which is what I think you really need.)
Good luck.
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by Piece
Re: Burke
Burke's are great and he's a very nice guy to do business with. All of his whistles have sound samples on his website, so that should help you decide what bore and material you want.
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by mcdevincabe
Re: Burke
Here are some recent discussions about Burke's etc.
buying a quality whistle ~
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/13950/
Who are the preferred whistle makers? ~
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/14144/
Which Michael Burke whistles to buy??? ~
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/14211
& do you have this pennywhistle website?
http://www.chiffandfipple.com/
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by Ben Steen
Re: Burke
Only a Berk would buy a Burke!
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by The Tune Composer
Re: Burke
sorry couldn't resist, I freely admit to having absolutely no knowledge on Burke whistles or any other whistles for that matter!
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by The Tune Composer
Re: Burke
Really enjoyed that comment frisbee, we need a lot more of that type of style round here!
But yeah, on a more serious note, you really would be a berk to buy one of them whistles.
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by proinsiasrua
Re: Burke
...not!
[Lamhd láftar]
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by proinsiasrua
Re: Burke
Some sneer at the idea of a "high-end" whistle. I've acquired a couple of used Burkes, and find that they're what I play most now. I wouldn't call them "better", (which is totally subjective), I just prefer the sound and feel. My brass Burke C is my favorite of all whistles I have played.
# Posted on July 17th 2007 by crookedtune
Re: Burke
Whatever you buy, always have a chrome generation Bb about your person - gorgeous sound IMHO!
Max
# Posted on July 18th 2007 by cyber-bullying is a criminal offence
Re: Burke
Funny you should say that. People always rave about them. My brass Bb Gen wasn't making it, so I bought another, this time tweaked by Jerry Freeman. Slightly better, but still not what I'd expect in a big Bb. Maybe nickel-chrome is the ticket?
# Posted on July 18th 2007 by crookedtune
Re: Burke
I played a Nickel Bb generation at a ceili the other day and I plan to buy one sometime. As for the Burke, I've listened to plenty of sound clips and I like the tone. If I could, I'd get a copeland (I also got to play one at the ceili and I'm now enamored with it), but I don't feel like waiting much.
# Posted on July 18th 2007 by Leiouekairna
Re: Burke
I played a Burke narrow-bore (Generation bore) aluminum high D whistle a friend owns, and what impressed me was how it wasn't trying to sound like a recorder, or a Boehm flute, or an Irish flute, or a Native American flute, or any other alien tonal ideal that most high-end whistle makers seem to be going after- it just sounded like a whistle. I'm a Generation traditionalist, I mostly play Generations (heavily self-tweaked) and consider their tone the "real" Irish whistle tone. What I love about Burkes is that they capture the traditional whistle sound but have greatly improved intonation and tone. Burke whistles are remarkably even-sounding throughout the range.
Then I bought a Burke low D, and I was hooked. I just can't put that thing down for very long. It's by far the best low D I've played (though I readily admit I haven't played all the great low whistles out there today). Then I bought a high D "session" (wider bore), high C wide bore, A, and G. All aluminum. All of these whistles are perfectly in tune and completely even in tone and response from the lowest note to "high B".
What I have heard, however, is that a lot of people prefer brass Burkes, saying that they have a warmer sound.
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by Richard D Cook