I have a Chieftan F and G tuneable. Lovely sweet tone off both of them but they need to be blown for a minute or two to get into tune. Also have a Shaw G but it is very disappointing. I also have a Dixon with interchangeable flute and whistle heads. The whistle head is much better than the flute but, again, tuning is a bit of a problem.
Someone gave me a howard years ago, it's not brilliant, and I don't really play it much anyway, don't see the the point when I've got a flute.
And, they do tend to be a bit quiet for sessions.
Michael Burke Low D Vipor. Amazingly perfect tone! I don't own one yet, but have played one on many occasions and it is next on my list to purchase. I currently play a Howard Low D and it is a good whistle for the price, but doesn't compare to the Burke.
btw. I play flute as well and I enjoy switching between flute & low whistle. The point is...they don't sound the same and each has its place in ITM!
I play a Reyburn Low D and it has a really nice tone. Check out his website at http://reyburnlowwhistles.com/. He'll even customize the placement of the holes for more comfortable playing.
I play a Kerry Songbird low D and a Alba low F. I like them both. Is there anything like "the best low whistle"? It's a very subjective question, and therefore you'll get a lot of subjective answers and recommendations.
Since my fambly hate me playing whistle in the house and since I'd rather get the hang of the thing before shelling out for a "real" one, I've made my own out of PVC tubing. It's red PVC tubing, and is long enough to be a walking-stick and has a rubber ferrule on the end. It's a walking-stick that happens to be a low-D whistle as well. I wander off into the wilds of Buckinghamshire to do my practice.
I've other home-made PVC whistles in white (or light grey), but I didn't want to look like a blind man with a white stick.
Now it looks as if I'm walking around with a mop handle.
I have a very nice Shaw low A which gives me an extra three notes (the occasional A,B,C) beneath the standard D. I was able to try the whistle before buying. My Shaw low G is not so good, and I gave my Howard Low D away.
Also have the Burke Viper. Beautiful deep, rich tone. It is different than my flute, but, yeah, somewhat similar! The bottom foot joint is ingenious in that it turns to better fit your hand.
Your low whistle
Your low whistle
To you, what is the best low whistle? What do you use yourself?
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by Gavolm
Re: Your low whistle
If you can afford one, a Brass Copeland is gorgeous.
If you work in the US Postal service you can save yourself the expense by stealing my wife's one in transit.
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: Your low whistle
I have a Chieftan F and G tuneable. Lovely sweet tone off both of them but they need to be blown for a minute or two to get into tune. Also have a Shaw G but it is very disappointing. I also have a Dixon with interchangeable flute and whistle heads. The whistle head is much better than the flute but, again, tuning is a bit of a problem.
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by breandan
Re: Your low whistle
The best low whistle? the one thats left in a cupboard and never sees the light of day! Horrid instrument
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by cluaintarbh
Re: Your low whistle
Overton 'D' which I bought in Dublin in 1981
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by gedpipes
Re: Your low whistle
Someone gave me a howard years ago, it's not brilliant, and I don't really play it much anyway, don't see the the point when I've got a flute.
And, they do tend to be a bit quiet for sessions.
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by curlew
Low whistle
Michael Burke Low D Vipor. Amazingly perfect tone! I don't own one yet, but have played one on many occasions and it is next on my list to purchase. I currently play a Howard Low D and it is a good whistle for the price, but doesn't compare to the Burke.
btw. I play flute as well and I enjoy switching between flute & low whistle. The point is...they don't sound the same and each has its place in ITM!
-Clay
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by dumpingsirkey
Re: Your low whistle
I play a Reyburn Low D and it has a really nice tone. Check out his website at http://reyburnlowwhistles.com/. He'll even customize the placement of the holes for more comfortable playing.
- Marilyn
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by mjct
Re: Your low whistle
I play a Kerry Songbird low D and a Alba low F. I like them both. Is there anything like "the best low whistle"? It's a very subjective question, and therefore you'll get a lot of subjective answers and recommendations.
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by Ostekjeks
Re: Your low whistle
Hey breandan have you tried the Wurzel Gummage? That has interchangable heads too!
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by Newty
Re: Your low whistle
i have a coplend low D. superb instrument. i got it a while back, before it became so pricey. now you have to sell a kidney to afford it.
# Posted on May 5th 2006 by Brendan
Re: Your low whistle
I know that "best low whistle" is very subjective. I just want to know different points of view...
# Posted on May 6th 2006 by Gavolm
Re: Your low whistle
Since my fambly hate me playing whistle in the house and since I'd rather get the hang of the thing before shelling out for a "real" one, I've made my own out of PVC tubing. It's red PVC tubing, and is long enough to be a walking-stick and has a rubber ferrule on the end. It's a walking-stick that happens to be a low-D whistle as well. I wander off into the wilds of Buckinghamshire to do my practice.
I've other home-made PVC whistles in white (or light grey), but I didn't want to look like a blind man with a white stick.
Now it looks as if I'm walking around with a mop handle.
# Posted on May 6th 2006 by Innocent Bystander
Re: Your low whistle
I have a very nice Shaw low A which gives me an extra three notes (the occasional A,B,C) beneath the standard D. I was able to try the whistle before buying. My Shaw low G is not so good, and I gave my Howard Low D away.
# Posted on May 6th 2006 by wvwhistler
Re: Your low whistle
I agree with Clay....I have a low D Michael Burke whistle and it is great! Wonderful rich sound.
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by dfbird
Re: Your low whistle
Also have the Burke Viper. Beautiful deep, rich tone. It is different than my flute, but, yeah, somewhat similar! The bottom foot joint is ingenious in that it turns to better fit your hand.
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by O'Lehane
Re: Your low whistle
I'm really enjoying my Susato........ it wasn't expensive, it's in tune with itself, and the tone is sweet.
# Posted on May 15th 2006 by nonesuch