I’m planning to buy a low D whistle, and I need some help to choose which one to buy. First of all, I don’t want to pay too much for a whistle. I will not spend more than £100, unless you give me a very good reason to do so. Secondly, I’m thinking of buying a tuneable whistle. I really don’t know how important this is, but if I’m going to play together with other instruments, I believe it would be a good idea. Please enlighten me the important differences between tuneable/non-tuneable. I don’t have any experience with a whistle web shop, so I hope you can help me here too. I live in Norway, so please take into consideration whether the shop is able to ship here, and to what prices.
I haven’t been looking around very much, but I’ve found these whistles. Please tell me what you think of them, and be free to give me other suggestions:
Alba low D tuneable £80/90
Kerry Songbird Low D Tuneable £69
Chieftain Tenor D (not tuneable) £90/95
I live in Oslo (I moved here for no other reason than to annoy Snorre), and I play the whistles. I have only good things to say about ordering direct from Big Whistle and Alba Whistles. In fact, Phil over at Big Whistle really goes out of his way to make sure you are satisfied with your order. I have both tunable and non-tunable versions of the Alba low D, and have not had a need to try anything else.
The only problem with them is trying to keep people from stealing them...
Ostekjeks, if you are in Oslo some time, you should really come down to the Dubliner for the Saturday session, and take a look at Pelsor's whistles. Oh, and heckle him.
But if Ostekjeks comes and heckles me, then how will everyone here my brilliant latin low whistle interpretations of classics like "Whisky in the Jar" and "Sweet Home Alabama"?
I was at a session in Glasgow last weekend and a few players up there are using MK low whistles (www.jazzwhistle.com) - I was very impressed with the sound and build quality...worth a look. I have an Alba low C tuneable and am very happy with it although I find the Alba whistles take a bit more air than, say, an Overton.
No, I live in Bergen, not Oslo. But the whistles you're referring to all cost around 150 pounds, and that's a little bit too expensive. So, if I should buy a little bit cheaper whistle, which one? Is the difference in quality significant? And I really don't need a tuneable one?
Hvor kjøpte dere blikkfløytene deres, østlendinger?
i have an 'overton' standard D whistle and its out of tune with it self.i also have an overton A whistle and its not quite in tune either,its not too bad tho..stay away from overton
i would suggest a kerrywhistle.
why you might ask??? because mike mcgoldrick and john mcsherry play them.what more do you need to know!!!
I also like the Tony Dixon low whistles. They can be a bit fickle with the air requirements at times, but overall I think they are a good whistle for the price. And you can even get a tunable one!
I have the three piece dixon, but don't play it at session, simply because I have my Alba's.
I just did the math over at BigWhistle, and you could get an alba nontunable for 104 pounds after norwegian tax and shipping. That is the thing I always forget, whatever you order, always add on 25%. Damn customs agents...
I'm aware of the taxes; that's why I really don't want to exceed about 100 pounds in the whistle itself.
I've read good things about the Kerry Songbird, and this is the one I'm thinking of right now. But the Alba whistle is very interesting too. Can anyone compare these two? (both tuneable versions.) If anyone has tried both, please share your experiences.
And what exactly are the shipping prices at both Alba's and Kerry's shop (to Norway)?
I just chatted with Stacey over at Alba, and she says it is around 5 pounds for shipping and packing. More details can be found at the alba website.
Both Phil and Stacey pack up their whistles good and snug, so you don't need to worry about damage in transit. I haven't played a Kerry, but I hear good things.
Check out this link to see whistles by Cillian O Briain, might be a little over your budget but amazing whistles, I can give you a direct contact number if you are interested, might save you a little on cash if you contact him direct.
Need help choosing a low D whistle
Need help choosing a low D whistle
I’m planning to buy a low D whistle, and I need some help to choose which one to buy. First of all, I don’t want to pay too much for a whistle. I will not spend more than £100, unless you give me a very good reason to do so. Secondly, I’m thinking of buying a tuneable whistle. I really don’t know how important this is, but if I’m going to play together with other instruments, I believe it would be a good idea. Please enlighten me the important differences between tuneable/non-tuneable. I don’t have any experience with a whistle web shop, so I hope you can help me here too. I live in Norway, so please take into consideration whether the shop is able to ship here, and to what prices.
I haven’t been looking around very much, but I’ve found these whistles. Please tell me what you think of them, and be free to give me other suggestions:
Alba low D tuneable £80/90
Kerry Songbird Low D Tuneable £69
Chieftain Tenor D (not tuneable) £90/95
I’ve visited these web shops:
http://www.albawhistles.com/whistles/shopwhistles.htm
http://www.kerrywhistles.com/store.php
http://www.bigwhistle.co.uk/ (don’t have Kerry whistle in stock)
I hope you can help me.
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by Ostekjeks
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
this question crops up a lot and the answer is always Overton.
Why? They just sound great
And why not get a tuneable one? It's in tune already
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Ostekjeks,
where in Norway do you live?
Snorre
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by snorre
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Howdy ostekjeks,
I live in Oslo (I moved here for no other reason than to annoy Snorre), and I play the whistles. I have only good things to say about ordering direct from Big Whistle and Alba Whistles. In fact, Phil over at Big Whistle really goes out of his way to make sure you are satisfied with your order. I have both tunable and non-tunable versions of the Alba low D, and have not had a need to try anything else.
The only problem with them is trying to keep people from stealing them...
cp
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by pelsor
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Jeez, Pelsor, you're at me again
Ostekjeks, if you are in Oslo some time, you should really come down to the Dubliner for the Saturday session, and take a look at Pelsor's whistles. Oh, and heckle him.
Snorre
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by snorre
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
But if Ostekjeks comes and heckles me, then how will everyone here my brilliant latin low whistle interpretations of classics like "Whisky in the Jar" and "Sweet Home Alabama"?
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by pelsor
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
That's it. No lunch for you!
S
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by snorre
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
D'oh!
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by pelsor
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
I was at a session in Glasgow last weekend and a few players up there are using MK low whistles (www.jazzwhistle.com) - I was very impressed with the sound and build quality...worth a look. I have an Alba low C tuneable and am very happy with it although I find the Alba whistles take a bit more air than, say, an Overton.
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by izzymac
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
I was just about to mention the MK whistles, they have a really amazing sound.
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by ecidralla
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
No, I live in Bergen, not Oslo. But the whistles you're referring to all cost around 150 pounds, and that's a little bit too expensive. So, if I should buy a little bit cheaper whistle, which one? Is the difference in quality significant? And I really don't need a tuneable one?
Hvor kjøpte dere blikkfløytene deres, østlendinger?
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by Ostekjeks
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Du må snakke med Pelsor, jeg spiller fele
Pelsor is in love with his Albas, I believe........
Snorre
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by snorre
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
i have an 'overton' standard D whistle and its out of tune with it self.i also have an overton A whistle and its not quite in tune either,its not too bad tho..stay away from overton
i would suggest a kerrywhistle.
why you might ask??? because mike mcgoldrick and john mcsherry play them.what more do you need to know!!!
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by fused
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Don't see a Burke D either
# Posted on October 29th 2005 by I_Fel
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Ostekjeks,
I also like the Tony Dixon low whistles. They can be a bit fickle with the air requirements at times, but overall I think they are a good whistle for the price. And you can even get a tunable one!
I have had my eye on this one for a while:
http://bigwhistle.co.uk/shop_results.asp?prod_id=600
I have the three piece dixon, but don't play it at session, simply because I have my Alba's.
I just did the math over at BigWhistle, and you could get an alba nontunable for 104 pounds after norwegian tax and shipping. That is the thing I always forget, whatever you order, always add on 25%. Damn customs agents...
# Posted on October 29th 2005 by pelsor
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
I'm aware of the taxes; that's why I really don't want to exceed about 100 pounds in the whistle itself.
I've read good things about the Kerry Songbird, and this is the one I'm thinking of right now. But the Alba whistle is very interesting too. Can anyone compare these two? (both tuneable versions.) If anyone has tried both, please share your experiences.
And what exactly are the shipping prices at both Alba's and Kerry's shop (to Norway)?
# Posted on October 29th 2005 by Ostekjeks
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
I just chatted with Stacey over at Alba, and she says it is around 5 pounds for shipping and packing. More details can be found at the alba website.
Both Phil and Stacey pack up their whistles good and snug, so you don't need to worry about damage in transit. I haven't played a Kerry, but I hear good things.
# Posted on October 29th 2005 by pelsor
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Try a Howard. I've tried all the others and I think it comes out top. And it's under £100.
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by Jay-eye
Re: Need help choosing a low D whistle
Check out this link to see whistles by Cillian O Briain, might be a little over your budget but amazing whistles, I can give you a direct contact number if you are interested, might save you a little on cash if you contact him direct.
http://www.shannaquay.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=963379|1005858&PRID=872458
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by Eamonn Croke
Whistle bought
Thank you for your advice, everybody. I have now bought a whistle. I went for the Kerry, and I'm very excited...
# Posted on November 3rd 2005 by Ostekjeks