I am the proud owner of a Burke High D Brass Whistle, and I also own a Chieftain Low D, but it isn't tunable. Recently, I have started thinking about getting a Burke Low Whistle. I'm definitely getting a Viper IF I get one. However, I can't whether brass or aluminum is better. I am leaning towards brass, but I feel the need for a second opinion.
Personally, i hate the sour, oily taste of brass. Aluminum, however has that nice garlic flavour I find goes well with a sturdy ale.
(hey, everyone has their own criteria for such decisions. )
I have six Burkes- Low D, F, G, A, high C, high D.
They're all aluminum, and I haven't tried the brass.
Many people who own both say that the brass is "warmer" and "darker" than the aluminum. Seems that most people who own both a brass and aluminum Burke high D, for example, prefer the tone of the brass.
I would go to Chiff&Fipple and ask your question- there you would get quite a few people who own both to chime in with helpful replies.
One thing to think about though is that the brass Burkes are significantly heavier, which on the low D makes for a pretty heavy whistle. I had a brass Chieftan Low D (the "Chieftan Gold") and though its tone was nice it was just too heavy.
All Burkes have delrin mouthpieces so the talk about the taste is silly.
Obviously, this is purely subjective. I have an Alba and a Burke Viper. They have very different tonal qualities, but I think it is wrong to say one sounds nicer than the other. I would agree, however, that the Albas are very nice whistles too.
I had a Burke Low' D 'Viper....... very beautiful sound!! Michael makes great whistles. The only 'ting' is that the Alumium Wall is very thin,and I always feared that if dropped ,it would damage the whistle.
Brass is the way to go!!
" QUID AERE PERENNIUS"
'What is more lastng then Brass"
If aluminum alloy is strong enough for aircraft construction it should survive all but the most bachanallian of sessions. Not since the days of the Steam - Powered Aeroplane has brass been used in fuselage, wings, airelons . . .
seriously though I know little of aircraft & alloys. I do however know how to mistreat the hardiest of tin whistles. The worst damage I have incurred is on Susato's. You would think this impossible. (plastic) I assure you I was not even trying. O.K at worst I have destroyed 2 or 3 Susato's on purpose. Seemed like a good idea at the time..
Thin alloys are wonderful in their malleability. I did, once, have to reshape my Low D Burke (aluminum) minutes before a session. The whistle had just been taken apart. I was cleaning it & saw that the 2nd joint was dented where it slides into the headjoint.* It was not a pretty sight. I was in my kitchen; so i pulled a butter knife. Using the handle I reworked the piece back to round. Did a bit of burnishing to remove any bur. The pieces fit perfectly & did not leak air.
* whichever joint, it was 1 w/out the O - rings (metal-2-metal).
Tellng this makes me wonder if I am better at repair or damage. Perhaps I should be more careful.
Brass or aluminum? They are both fine but for different reasons. Tone, volume, weight, etc. durability is not a major concern for me. Other than the incident described I have never had a problem with any of my aluminum Burke whistles.
high D & C, alto G, or Low D.
I do have a Brian Howard brass high D. It seems to have better volume in sessions than most brass high D's.
Richard you are correct.
block & tip are delrin. No offense intended & I humbly apologize for jumping your case.
Cheers!
Yes the Burkes have the end of the mouthpiece- the entire part that goes in the mouth- made of delrin. I prefer that, as I've never liked the feel of metal in my mouth. It also makes for less teeth-jarring incidents.
Of course aluminum is much harder than brass, and a drop that makes an aluminum whistle bounce harmlessly will dent a brass whistle.
Another option is the composite material Burke uses. These whistles have a special tone but will shatter if dropped or sat upon, I am told.
Burke Whistles
Burke Whistles
I am the proud owner of a Burke High D Brass Whistle, and I also own a Chieftain Low D, but it isn't tunable. Recently, I have started thinking about getting a Burke Low Whistle. I'm definitely getting a Viper IF I get one. However, I can't whether brass or aluminum is better. I am leaning towards brass, but I feel the need for a second opinion.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by AHendey
Re: Burke Whistles
Personally, i hate the sour, oily taste of brass. Aluminum, however has that nice garlic flavour I find goes well with a sturdy ale.
(hey, everyone has their own criteria for such decisions. )
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by greybeardd
Re: Burke Whistles
I don't think you can go wrong with either. Someone started a thread about this recently at Chiff: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=60443
I have an aluminum that I think is a wonderful instrument.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by crickett
Re: Burke Whistles
alba whistles sound nicer than burke - try one
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Brown Creeper
Re: Burke Whistles
I have six Burkes- Low D, F, G, A, high C, high D.
They're all aluminum, and I haven't tried the brass.
Many people who own both say that the brass is "warmer" and "darker" than the aluminum. Seems that most people who own both a brass and aluminum Burke high D, for example, prefer the tone of the brass.
I would go to Chiff&Fipple and ask your question- there you would get quite a few people who own both to chime in with helpful replies.
One thing to think about though is that the brass Burkes are significantly heavier, which on the low D makes for a pretty heavy whistle. I had a brass Chieftan Low D (the "Chieftan Gold") and though its tone was nice it was just too heavy.
All Burkes have delrin mouthpieces so the talk about the taste is silly.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Richard D Cook
Re: Burke Whistles
"alba whistles sound nicer than burke..."
Obviously, this is purely subjective. I have an Alba and a Burke Viper. They have very different tonal qualities, but I think it is wrong to say one sounds nicer than the other. I would agree, however, that the Albas are very nice whistles too.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by crickett
Re: Burke Whistles
Only the block is delrin.
Unless Michael has redesigned the mouthpiece.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Random_notes
Re: Burke Whistles
I am sold on hte Burkes. Most consistent, clearest tone.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by zippydw
Re: Burke Whistles
I had a Burke Low' D 'Viper....... very beautiful sound!! Michael makes great whistles. The only 'ting' is that the Alumium Wall is very thin,and I always feared that if dropped ,it would damage the whistle.
Brass is the way to go!!
" QUID AERE PERENNIUS"
'What is more lastng then Brass"
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Fir na tine
Re: Burke Whistles
If aluminum alloy is strong enough for aircraft construction it should survive all but the most bachanallian of sessions. Not since the days of the Steam - Powered Aeroplane has brass been used in fuselage, wings, airelons . . .
seriously though I know little of aircraft & alloys. I do however know how to mistreat the hardiest of tin whistles. The worst damage I have incurred is on Susato's. You would think this impossible. (plastic) I assure you I was not even trying. O.K at worst I have destroyed 2 or 3 Susato's on purpose. Seemed like a good idea at the time..
Thin alloys are wonderful in their malleability. I did, once, have to reshape my Low D Burke (aluminum) minutes before a session. The whistle had just been taken apart. I was cleaning it & saw that the 2nd joint was dented where it slides into the headjoint.* It was not a pretty sight. I was in my kitchen; so i pulled a butter knife. Using the handle I reworked the piece back to round. Did a bit of burnishing to remove any bur. The pieces fit perfectly & did not leak air.
* whichever joint, it was 1 w/out the O - rings (metal-2-metal).
Tellng this makes me wonder if I am better at repair or damage. Perhaps I should be more careful.
Brass or aluminum? They are both fine but for different reasons. Tone, volume, weight, etc. durability is not a major concern for me. Other than the incident described I have never had a problem with any of my aluminum Burke whistles.
high D & C, alto G, or Low D.
I do have a Brian Howard brass high D. It seems to have better volume in sessions than most brass high D's.
Richard you are correct.
block & tip are delrin. No offense intended & I humbly apologize for jumping your case.
Cheers!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Random_notes
Re: Burke Whistles
Yes the Burkes have the end of the mouthpiece- the entire part that goes in the mouth- made of delrin. I prefer that, as I've never liked the feel of metal in my mouth. It also makes for less teeth-jarring incidents.
Of course aluminum is much harder than brass, and a drop that makes an aluminum whistle bounce harmlessly will dent a brass whistle.
Another option is the composite material Burke uses. These whistles have a special tone but will shatter if dropped or sat upon, I am told.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Richard D Cook