I mainly play the fiddle but I have been playing the whistles for about 18 months. I have been playing a set of three Alba whistles by Stacey O'Gorman (D,C and an Eb) but i have thinking upgrading to a set of Colin Goldie Overton Whistles in the same keys. I was wondering what other people think of them so PLEASE PLEASE post your opinions .
I have also been playing/learning whistle for about that long. Goldie/Overton's are universally acknowledged to be excellent, ESPECIALLY in the lower keys, much more so than in the higher keys. I have spoken to Colin and his wife (an excellent bodhran player). I wanted a low G, Colin assured me it was no problem and I would have it in 4-5 weeks. It's been three months! That is a little disconcerting because I cancelled an order with Michael Burke for a low G to buy the Overton. I have still heard no word, but I was flooded with emails when I was first going through the ordering process. That doesn't mean it won't be worth the wait,... and they would not accept my pre-payment which is unusual for instrument makers, all the drummakers I've worked with except Seamus insist on payment in advance...... and then the extra long wait becomes twice as stressful.
I'll say this from my own opinion. If you are looking for a set, you will be much better off ordering Michael Burke whistles that Overtone and they will cost you less than 1/2 as much. More like 1/3 as much. And in truth, Burkes are the best and most consistant in the world, Overtons are said to be a bit inconsistant, hit-or-miss. Plus you will have your Burke's by this weekend if you order today!
Same with the Cheiftan whistles, cheaper than Overton, again also likely to be with you by the weekend. A good choice I reckon. Every whistle has it's own characteristics no matter who makes it, you'll get used to the quirks of whatever whistle you buy. Have a look at a recent thread - erm....... low whistle -high octave I think it was called. Theres a fair few opinions expressed there as well.
I have half a dozen whistles by Colin Goldie, from high D down to low D, and I've played quite a few more. I'd disagree strongly with the idea that they are "hit and miss".
They do vary, because they are made by hand. Some are "harder blowing" and some are "softer blowing", and people's tastes in this regard can be very different. The harder-blowing whistles require more breath pressure (not more air, necessarily, Overtons have very modest requirements in terms of air throughput) and generally are louder, with a richer, more complex tone. But they require more skill to play - not everyone can manage them successfully, and indeed I prefer softer ones myself.
But Colin is a meticulous craftsman, and very careful of his reputation, and if he lets bad work out of his shop - well, I've never seen or heard of any examples. All the ones I have are very very good.
He has also been refining the whistles over the years, working on finish, hole shape and placement, and so on. Very often, if you order directly from Colin, when a batch of whistles is ready he'll play them over the phone for you and let you pick the one you most like the sound of.
Chieftains are a factory-made whistle, and that is why they are cheaper and more widely available. They have suffered from a "hit and miss" reputation, although I've never come across a bad one. But the finish and tone, in my experience, won't be up to the standard of Colin's whistles.
Because Phil Hardy, the maker of Chieftains, started out making Overtons under Bernard Overton's guidance, and then moved on to producing Chieftains, people seemed to think that Chieftains were a new design of Overtons. Somebody showed me a set of "Overtons" they had been given, called Overtons by the guy who had bought them, but in fact they were Chieftains. I wonder whether this might be responsible for the idea that Overton quality is unreliable.
Ruff, if you haven't heard from Colin, send him an email and I'm sure he'll get back to you.
Matheu, you were lucky to receive this reply from an expert. I am lower than a novice in regards to whistles. Steve, on the other hand, .... well, see his web site. I still think Michael Burke is making a mark in the makers world, and maintains an inventory in brass, aluminium and composite,.... the fact that he is a little eccentric, you will just have to overlook, just a sugestion. And I meant to say I have an order for a Low F, not G,...... Colin has a well deserved reputation for making the best low whistles in the world, and the Low F is regarded as the brightest jewel in his crown. Good luck. (and thanks, Steve, for your site, I've learned a lot from it!).
I posted a response on the previous discussion - low whistle high octave. To summarise and add a little more information.
I did not like my first Overton D whistle for various reasons. See the previous topic for the reasons but basically the upper octave sound was terrible and the breath pressure to flip and sustain it in octave 2 was considerable. This whistle required an abdomen strengthening regime to play. I have since exchanged the whistle for another Overton D, and am happy with it. I believe that Colin Goldie did not make either whistle. The certificate of authenticity that came with the first whistle was signed by Bernard Overton.
I appreciate the kind words Ruff, but I don't consider myself an expert by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe in the kingdom of the blind that is whistle resources on the web, I have one eye, that's all. Glad the site has been useful.
I'd like to add in response to fz's original question that, much as I appreciate Colin's whistles, I think that if you've just been playing for 18 months and the whistle isn't your first instrument, and you're looking at those high pitches, you might consider playing Generations or other cheap whistles until you can really make them sing.
For playing at home and in sessions where the nosie level isn't industrial, they're hard to beat. And it is a very cool thing to be able to make one sound like, well, a couple of hundred dollars.
If you're playing gigs where the combination of instruments makes utterly reliable tuning critical, or you need to be louder to hear yourself on stage or in one of those other types of sessions, however, an Overton will be a godsend, IMO.
Always do as Michael says
Anyway, reading the above-mentioned thread I gather that you should never buy a low whistle that you haven't had the chance to try out as instruments vary even if they come from the same maker. This may be more noticeable with some makers than with others.
The thread provided a lot of useful hints: the plumber's tape is in use and the new fingering for B works well. Also a bit of practice helped with stretching fingers.
The problems with the Howard aren't cured but we found a nice way to cover them up: play a duet in two octaves with a standard whistle. We played a slow "Dunmore Lasses" (thesession-version) which was well received at the band's anniversary party last week.
I have one of Overton's original Low G whistles, it must be over 20 years old and it still plays well. The original whistles were made out of aircraft grade aluminium. The only problem with them is that they HAVE to be warmed up before they play well.
I discovered this from a lady friend who went to see a big name Irish band several years ago.The whistle player kept his whistles in a bucket of hot water on stage.My friend warms hers up by sticking it down her cleavage, I just stuff mine under my armpits,
Ric
Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
I mainly play the fiddle but I have been playing the whistles for about 18 months. I have been playing a set of three Alba whistles by Stacey O'Gorman (D,C and an Eb) but i have thinking upgrading to a set of Colin Goldie Overton Whistles in the same keys. I was wondering what other people think of them so PLEASE PLEASE post your opinions .
Thanks Matheu Watson
# Posted on October 12th 2003 by fiddlinzombie
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
I have also been playing/learning whistle for about that long. Goldie/Overton's are universally acknowledged to be excellent, ESPECIALLY in the lower keys, much more so than in the higher keys. I have spoken to Colin and his wife (an excellent bodhran player). I wanted a low G, Colin assured me it was no problem and I would have it in 4-5 weeks. It's been three months! That is a little disconcerting because I cancelled an order with Michael Burke for a low G to buy the Overton. I have still heard no word, but I was flooded with emails when I was first going through the ordering process. That doesn't mean it won't be worth the wait,... and they would not accept my pre-payment which is unusual for instrument makers, all the drummakers I've worked with except Seamus insist on payment in advance...... and then the extra long wait becomes twice as stressful.
I'll say this from my own opinion. If you are looking for a set, you will be much better off ordering Michael Burke whistles that Overtone and they will cost you less than 1/2 as much. More like 1/3 as much. And in truth, Burkes are the best and most consistant in the world, Overtons are said to be a bit inconsistant, hit-or-miss. Plus you will have your Burke's by this weekend if you order today!
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by irish ruff
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
Same with the Cheiftan whistles, cheaper than Overton, again also likely to be with you by the weekend. A good choice I reckon. Every whistle has it's own characteristics no matter who makes it, you'll get used to the quirks of whatever whistle you buy. Have a look at a recent thread - erm....... low whistle -high octave I think it was called. Theres a fair few opinions expressed there as well.
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by jkneale
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
I have half a dozen whistles by Colin Goldie, from high D down to low D, and I've played quite a few more. I'd disagree strongly with the idea that they are "hit and miss".
They do vary, because they are made by hand. Some are "harder blowing" and some are "softer blowing", and people's tastes in this regard can be very different. The harder-blowing whistles require more breath pressure (not more air, necessarily, Overtons have very modest requirements in terms of air throughput) and generally are louder, with a richer, more complex tone. But they require more skill to play - not everyone can manage them successfully, and indeed I prefer softer ones myself.
But Colin is a meticulous craftsman, and very careful of his reputation, and if he lets bad work out of his shop - well, I've never seen or heard of any examples. All the ones I have are very very good.
He has also been refining the whistles over the years, working on finish, hole shape and placement, and so on. Very often, if you order directly from Colin, when a batch of whistles is ready he'll play them over the phone for you and let you pick the one you most like the sound of.
Chieftains are a factory-made whistle, and that is why they are cheaper and more widely available. They have suffered from a "hit and miss" reputation, although I've never come across a bad one. But the finish and tone, in my experience, won't be up to the standard of Colin's whistles.
Because Phil Hardy, the maker of Chieftains, started out making Overtons under Bernard Overton's guidance, and then moved on to producing Chieftains, people seemed to think that Chieftains were a new design of Overtons. Somebody showed me a set of "Overtons" they had been given, called Overtons by the guy who had bought them, but in fact they were Chieftains. I wonder whether this might be responsible for the idea that Overton quality is unreliable.
Ruff, if you haven't heard from Colin, send him an email and I'm sure he'll get back to you.
HTH
Steve
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
Ahhh! Brother Steve,
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/index.html
Matheu, you were lucky to receive this reply from an expert. I am lower than a novice in regards to whistles. Steve, on the other hand, .... well, see his web site. I still think Michael Burke is making a mark in the makers world, and maintains an inventory in brass, aluminium and composite,.... the fact that he is a little eccentric, you will just have to overlook, just a sugestion. And I meant to say I have an order for a Low F, not G,...... Colin has a well deserved reputation for making the best low whistles in the world, and the Low F is regarded as the brightest jewel in his crown. Good luck. (and thanks, Steve, for your site, I've learned a lot from it!).
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by irish ruff
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
I posted a response on the previous discussion - low whistle high octave. To summarise and add a little more information.
I did not like my first Overton D whistle for various reasons. See the previous topic for the reasons but basically the upper octave sound was terrible and the breath pressure to flip and sustain it in octave 2 was considerable. This whistle required an abdomen strengthening regime to play. I have since exchanged the whistle for another Overton D, and am happy with it. I believe that Colin Goldie did not make either whistle. The certificate of authenticity that came with the first whistle was signed by Bernard Overton.
Cheers
Simon
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by sjt
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
I appreciate the kind words Ruff, but I don't consider myself an expert by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe in the kingdom of the blind that is whistle resources on the web, I have one eye, that's all. Glad the site has been useful.
I'd like to add in response to fz's original question that, much as I appreciate Colin's whistles, I think that if you've just been playing for 18 months and the whistle isn't your first instrument, and you're looking at those high pitches, you might consider playing Generations or other cheap whistles until you can really make them sing.
For playing at home and in sessions where the nosie level isn't industrial, they're hard to beat. And it is a very cool thing to be able to make one sound like, well, a couple of hundred dollars.
If you're playing gigs where the combination of instruments makes utterly reliable tuning critical, or you need to be louder to hear yourself on stage or in one of those other types of sessions, however, an Overton will be a godsend, IMO.
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by Jeeves Tones
Oops
noise level!
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
low whistle - high octave
read this discussion
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by llig leahcim
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
Always do as Michael says
Anyway, reading the above-mentioned thread I gather that you should never buy a low whistle that you haven't had the chance to try out as instruments vary even if they come from the same maker. This may be more noticeable with some makers than with others.
The thread provided a lot of useful hints: the plumber's tape is in use and the new fingering for B works well. Also a bit of practice helped with stretching fingers.
The problems with the Howard aren't cured but we found a nice way to cover them up: play a duet in two octaves with a standard whistle. We played a slow "Dunmore Lasses" (thesession-version) which was well received at the band's anniversary party last week.
# Posted on October 15th 2003 by kuec
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
I have one of Overton's original Low G whistles, it must be over 20 years old and it still plays well. The original whistles were made out of aircraft grade aluminium. The only problem with them is that they HAVE to be warmed up before they play well.
I discovered this from a lady friend who went to see a big name Irish band several years ago.The whistle player kept his whistles in a bucket of hot water on stage.My friend warms hers up by sticking it down her cleavage, I just stuff mine under my armpits,
Ric
# Posted on October 25th 2003 by ricthewhistle
Re: Colin Goldie Overton Whistles-Yes or No ???
What is aircraft grade aluminium? What makes it different/worse/better?
# Posted on October 26th 2003 by llig leahcim