I have been playing the tin whistle for years now and I want to spend a bit of money on a good one, has anyone got any favourites they could recommend me?
Michael Burke
John Sindt
Kerry (Phil Hardy)
Chris Abell
O'Riordan
Copeland
Depends on whether you like a clear or chiffy tone, conical vs. cylindrical bore, etc. It helps to play 'em before you buy 'em. I'm really impressed with Burke's, especially his new brass session D with Delrin fipple. But I like my Sindts as well.
After spending a bit of money on a quite a few "good ones", I ended up play a cheap Generation brass D. I find that its the best whistle for me, and none can beat its tone, crispness and response. It was untweaked except for a sticky tack fill and plays like a dream. Of course it helps if you could try them out from a box of them, which I did.
I'm like Eldarion, I prefer either my Oak, Clare 2 piece (I did enlarge the tone holes to improve its tuning) and my high ender is an O'Briain improved feadog.
All the whistlemakers listed make some lovely whistles (must include David Boisvert) if you're willing to spend a BIT of money on whistles. But like the others above have noted, the cheaper whistles do have some gems if you're lucky enough to find one. Happy hunting ninety!
if you're thinking about low whistles (which are, imho, the prettiest), check out the Susato. It's relatively cheap, durable, and has a very warm, pleasant tone.
My only recommendation is that, if you choose to spend a hunk O cash on a whistle, you take the time to try several different types and find the one that YOU like best.
(for the record, the favourite whistles in my stash are a Cillian O'Brien tuneable low-D, a couple of Burkes (love his newer whistles!!!), and some combo/tweaked generations...)
I can't get nice tones out of my Generation, but no problem with Susato high D while it seems the pitch isn't stable on the latter. I'm now working hard and will probably order a Burke's soon. That's the best one I've ever tried.
Of the better made "after-market" whistles, the Sindt is the closest to that traditional sound I think. Sadly, they're getting up there in price and the wait time is quite long. Apart from that, the ol' Generations and Oaks are a great way to go.
In terms of the tones, Generation is far from perfect unless you happen to pick up really nice one. As many say, Dixon's is much better though it's a little quiet.
I love my Burke Pro Session (black-tip brass)...the tone is fabulous, the tuning spot-on, and it holds up well in a session. If you like wood, another maker I recommend highly is Paul Busman.
I have one of the older pre-delrin tipped Burke D's, (I think it's a second generation model, with the bulge in the middle, where the tuning is facilitated, as opposed to his even older Burke whistles which dont have this.) It's a nice whistle, but I much prefer my Sindt. I did however recently obtain a new Burke low-G and this thing is awesome. I'm wondering if the newer pro-session model D's are as good as the low-G, Does anyone have a take on this the older vs the newer Burke?
I've done a bit of tooting on a wooden Busman as well. It's has a great voice. I would also highly recomend it.
My Burke Pro Low-D is great and the intonation is spot on and the tone is nice and haunting. This is a great whistle for playing airs as well as faster tunes. I have also played his high D's and highl recommend those as well. As for mid ranged whistles, Phil Hardy makes a great low F, simply beautiful tone! These suggestestions are if you have around $200 laying around to spend on a whistle though.
Everyones taste's are different,and I haven't tried many "high end" whistles,but out of the ones that I have,my personal preference would be for a Goldie Overton.
Out of the cheaper models the dixon is very good,Susato's are ok,but a Clarke Meg for about £3 is great value for money.
I agree with Mountain Goat (again!)* on Susatos - I think their high D is... um, how shall I put it... horrible! Especially the top octave, which is really hard. Not to mention, too damn loud!
I have a brilliant two-piece that I've had for years called 'Eagle', anybody know where to get those? It's like a Generation but I'd say a bit sweeter. It has lovely tone. It's a bit quiet maybe, but in my view that's better than loud, you shouldn't be bursting anybody's eardrums with a tin whistle, it's plain cruel.
And the other great thing - being a two-piece, you can take it apart and put it in your pocket! Plus you have two ways to tune it - by moving the head and by adjusting the join in the middle. So you have plenty of scope unless the session is really sharp.
If anybody does know where to get those Eagle whistles, please shout.
*Mountain Goat, I'm just going to follow you around the board agreeing with everything you say, is that OK?
can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
I have been playing the tin whistle for years now and I want to spend a bit of money on a good one, has anyone got any favourites they could recommend me?
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by ninety
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
In no particular order:
Michael Burke
John Sindt
Kerry (Phil Hardy)
Chris Abell
O'Riordan
Copeland
Depends on whether you like a clear or chiffy tone, conical vs. cylindrical bore, etc. It helps to play 'em before you buy 'em. I'm really impressed with Burke's, especially his new brass session D with Delrin fipple. But I like my Sindts as well.
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by Will CPT
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
After spending a bit of money on a quite a few "good ones", I ended up play a cheap Generation brass D. I find that its the best whistle for me, and none can beat its tone, crispness and response. It was untweaked except for a sticky tack fill and plays like a dream. Of course it helps if you could try them out from a box of them, which I did.
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by Eldarion
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
But remember - as I've pointed out elsewhere - if you "re-tune" a cylindrical guy , keep the whole thing perfectly aligned.
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
do go to http://www.chiffandfipple.com (if you haven't yet).
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by reenactor
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
I'm like Eldarion, I prefer either my Oak, Clare 2 piece (I did enlarge the tone holes to improve its tuning) and my high ender is an O'Briain improved feadog.
Eric
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by Jayhawk
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
All the whistlemakers listed make some lovely whistles (must include David Boisvert) if you're willing to spend a BIT of money on whistles. But like the others above have noted, the cheaper whistles do have some gems if you're lucky enough to find one. Happy hunting ninety!
-Mike
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by CaliforniaPiper
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
if you're thinking about low whistles (which are, imho, the prettiest), check out the Susato. It's relatively cheap, durable, and has a very warm, pleasant tone.
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by Luke Nieuwsma
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
i like burke. but nothing beats a good cheap buy that plays how you want it.
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by daiv
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
My only recommendation is that, if you choose to spend a hunk O cash on a whistle, you take the time to try several different types and find the one that YOU like best.
(for the record, the favourite whistles in my stash are a Cillian O'Brien tuneable low-D, a couple of Burkes (love his newer whistles!!!), and some combo/tweaked generations...)
# Posted on December 4th 2004 by bestcraic
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
Get an Alba, a Burke, or a Copeland. The Alba would be the least expensive but they are great.
# Posted on December 5th 2004 by Unseen122
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
I can't get nice tones out of my Generation, but no problem with Susato high D while it seems the pitch isn't stable on the latter. I'm now working hard and will probably order a Burke's soon. That's the best one I've ever tried.
# Posted on December 5th 2004 by slainte
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
Of the better made "after-market" whistles, the Sindt is the closest to that traditional sound I think. Sadly, they're getting up there in price and the wait time is quite long. Apart from that, the ol' Generations and Oaks are a great way to go.
# Posted on December 5th 2004 by uilleann_craic
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
Funny - my Susato shrieks when I try to play it, but a Generation does me fine.
# Posted on December 5th 2004 by ragaman
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
In terms of the tones, Generation is far from perfect unless you happen to pick up really nice one. As many say, Dixon's is much better though it's a little quiet.
# Posted on December 5th 2004 by slainte
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
I love my Burke Pro Session (black-tip brass)...the tone is fabulous, the tuning spot-on, and it holds up well in a session. If you like wood, another maker I recommend highly is Paul Busman.
# Posted on December 5th 2004 by MacTireRua
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
I have one of the older pre-delrin tipped Burke D's, (I think it's a second generation model, with the bulge in the middle, where the tuning is facilitated, as opposed to his even older Burke whistles which dont have this.) It's a nice whistle, but I much prefer my Sindt. I did however recently obtain a new Burke low-G and this thing is awesome. I'm wondering if the newer pro-session model D's are as good as the low-G, Does anyone have a take on this the older vs the newer Burke?
I've done a bit of tooting on a wooden Busman as well. It's has a great voice. I would also highly recomend it.
# Posted on December 6th 2004 by Chef Paul
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
My Burke Pro Low-D is great and the intonation is spot on and the tone is nice and haunting. This is a great whistle for playing airs as well as faster tunes. I have also played his high D's and highl recommend those as well. As for mid ranged whistles, Phil Hardy makes a great low F, simply beautiful tone! These suggestestions are if you have around $200 laying around to spend on a whistle though.
-Mike
# Posted on December 6th 2004 by CaliforniaPiper
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
Everyones taste's are different,and I haven't tried many "high end" whistles,but out of the ones that I have,my personal preference would be for a Goldie Overton.
Out of the cheaper models the dixon is very good,Susato's are ok,but a Clarke Meg for about £3 is great value for money.
# Posted on December 7th 2004 by banjo billy
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
Clarke Meg any day. Sounds lovely and sweet, just like a tin whistle.
# Posted on December 7th 2004 by Ottery
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
I have a Walton, a "tweaked" Generation and a Tony Dixon. I can't put the Dixon down. Very sweet, even on the high notes. Love it !
# Posted on December 11th 2004 by justwhistle
Re: can anyone recommend me a tin whistle?
I agree with Mountain Goat (again!)* on Susatos - I think their high D is... um, how shall I put it... horrible! Especially the top octave, which is really hard. Not to mention, too damn loud!
I have a brilliant two-piece that I've had for years called 'Eagle', anybody know where to get those? It's like a Generation but I'd say a bit sweeter. It has lovely tone. It's a bit quiet maybe, but in my view that's better than loud, you shouldn't be bursting anybody's eardrums with a tin whistle, it's plain cruel.
And the other great thing - being a two-piece, you can take it apart and put it in your pocket! Plus you have two ways to tune it - by moving the head and by adjusting the join in the middle. So you have plenty of scope unless the session is really sharp.
If anybody does know where to get those Eagle whistles, please shout.
*Mountain Goat, I'm just going to follow you around the board agreeing with everything you say, is that OK?
# Posted on December 11th 2004 by Nell