Chiff and Fipple Forums

If you have any whistles made of polymer or plastic (not metal or wood bodies), I'd be interested in knowing what is your favorite (make, key, etc) and why.

I have several Dixon tunable polymer black whistles in diff keys, and also a Susato black Kildare in key of C.
I like them all! But would have to say my favorite of them is the polymer Dixon in Bb... it is not too long for my fingers to cover comfortably, and it has a very full rolling tone that i love. The notes 'catch' well and it plays nicely in tune.

I'd love to hear from you others!

While I do not use them with my band, I have a few whistles made of materials other than metal and wood, that I like very much Some of these get little use, and that is not as it should be... Mea Culpa.

I own a Water Weasel in A - grey, with a red fipple. It has a complex tone without being at all harsh, and is easy to control in both octaves. Glenn was such a craftsman... I use a D whistle for tunes in A, so this instrument is not played...

2 Paul Busman D whistles - one Delrin - one a material that looks and acts like wood, but is not. My favorite is the green composite one with a grain, like wood... I told my students it was made from dragon bone. Both have the playing characteristics loved by players of Paul's whistles - excellent balance between octaves, crisp note changes, sweet overall sound, etc.

1 CPVC D whistle made by a friend who goes by Feadoggie on the board. He has disappeared of late, and we have not been able to locate him... The almost white whistle is held together by a pin through the mouthpiece and fipple, which glows blue under light. Very unique. A fine player, in all ways. My daughter played it with the band, when she was in high school.

1 May 2003 Delrin Lon Dubh D whistle, received from a friend's collection, after her passing. This is not the more modern Lon Dubh composite, but an earlier model with brass ferrules, and much obvious care in its voicing. It plays very well, with a rather pure tone.

1 D Water Weasel and 1 C Water weasel. Excellent instruments, for all the reasons inherent in Glenn's work.

I have a number of whistles made by Mack Hoover. Some are total PVC. One uses his WHITECAP, attached to a Feadog body. Wonderful instrument.

No favorite among the above. They are all made by people I have learned to like and respect.
Best.
Byll

Speaking about an high D, my favorite is the Susato V-Series: Sweet sound, medium volume, perfect tuning and balance. Much better than the S-series in my opinion.

Love my Gene Milligan whistles, mostly Diamond wood or blackwood, but I do have a high D in delrin.

Great balance, easy blowing with a little more volume than the Milligan D in blackwood. It's my medium to large session whistle, while I use the blackwood for smaller groups.

Every one of my Milligans is a great instrument, although not cheap.

JD