Odd question really. The tones are very different and it depends on what key and what you want the instrument for. Try and play them both and make up your own mind.
It all depends on what you mean by "better", what you're looking for in a whistle.
There are people who think that Overtons are without equal, in fact are in a class all to themselves, and that no other whistles even come close.
There are likewise many Burke supporters.
I'm only interested in Low D's, and for me, for my way of playing, I prefer the Burke over any of the Overtons I've tried.
I borrowed, and played quite a bit, an early Overton made in the late 70's. I've played several since. I didn't like any of them. They filled with "moisture" immediately, felt unpleasant in my mouth, and had a coarse 2nd octave. But, they had an interesting unique tone that many consider the Low Whistle tone par excellence.
I did try a new Overton recently that I really liked. It had a more even scale than the old ones and was a very nice player. (Keep in mind that there are two makers who made Overtons, Bernard Overton and Colin Goldie, and one or both makers would tailor the backpressure/air requirements per customer order, which all means that there is a tremendous amount of variation in the Overtons you'll come across.)
It's a common problem people have with Overtons, them clogging up. It's to do with two things, not covering the holes properly and not blowing hard enough. Like I said, Burkes are easier to play
Well I prefer Burke over Overton for sound. Both sound excellent, and the Overton is a particularly powerful whistle, but personally I prefer the (to me) warmer and more intimate sound of the brass Burke's.
I've played a Burke (though I'm not much of a player), but nevre an overton.
Overton or Burke
Overton or Burke
Who do you think makes a better Whistle? Overton or Burke?
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by Bowen Constrictor
Re: Overton or Burke
no contest
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by ...
Re: Overton or Burke
Burke
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by beltane
Re: Overton or Burke
Odd question really. The tones are very different and it depends on what key and what you want the instrument for. Try and play them both and make up your own mind.
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by gedpipes
Overton or Burke
Overton
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Overton or Burke
MK
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by Eulic McGee
Re: Overton or Burke
I like the Burke's more than the overton, but it'd be silly to seriously state one was "better" than the other.
- Chris
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Overton or Burke
I've never met anyone who prefers a Burke whistle over an overton for any reason other than they are easier to play, and cheeper.
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by ...
Re: Overton or Burke
I am responding to the question as it is submitted,
"Who do you think makes a better Whistle?"
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Overton or Burke
It all depends on what you mean by "better", what you're looking for in a whistle.
There are people who think that Overtons are without equal, in fact are in a class all to themselves, and that no other whistles even come close.
There are likewise many Burke supporters.
I'm only interested in Low D's, and for me, for my way of playing, I prefer the Burke over any of the Overtons I've tried.
I borrowed, and played quite a bit, an early Overton made in the late 70's. I've played several since. I didn't like any of them. They filled with "moisture" immediately, felt unpleasant in my mouth, and had a coarse 2nd octave. But, they had an interesting unique tone that many consider the Low Whistle tone par excellence.
I did try a new Overton recently that I really liked. It had a more even scale than the old ones and was a very nice player. (Keep in mind that there are two makers who made Overtons, Bernard Overton and Colin Goldie, and one or both makers would tailor the backpressure/air requirements per customer order, which all means that there is a tremendous amount of variation in the Overtons you'll come across.)
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by Richard D Cook
Re: Overton or Burke
It's a common problem people have with Overtons, them clogging up. It's to do with two things, not covering the holes properly and not blowing hard enough. Like I said, Burkes are easier to play
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by ...
Re: Overton or Burke
Well I prefer Burke over Overton for sound. Both sound excellent, and the Overton is a particularly powerful whistle, but personally I prefer the (to me) warmer and more intimate sound of the brass Burke's.
I've played a Burke (though I'm not much of a player), but nevre an overton.
- Chris
# Posted on August 21st 2009 by ramblingpitchfork