MichaelRS wrote:I took a look at the Potter and price is right for sure. It LOOKS awfully similar to a Dixon Trad. Any similarity or differences, relating to playability, beyond to the Trad?
Very different animals. I have what seems to be the "longer blade" Trad. It has a somewhat larger tube than the Potter (the Potter slides snugly into the tube of the Trad making storage that much easier). My Potter dates to the Ventana, CA days if that makes any difference. Gumby's description works as well as any words I could come up with for the Potter. As mentioned above, I find it "soft sounding" and relatively quiet and good for learning tunes and practicing when others are in earshot. The Trad has more "character" and "grit" and seems, while playing, to be a bit louder. They are both worth trying and, in my case, keeping.
While I don't want to judge your pocketbook, they're both inexpensive and worth buying and testing. Then sell on one—or both—depending on what you like.
Several folks here have hinted that it's really difficult to advise as we know how, what, where, and why we play, but can't put our experiences into your context. Asking someone else to describe differences and preferences is a bit of a hollow task. It's only you who can judge what you like and don't like. And given this gathered crew, you'll get ten different answers on five different whistles, all based on our personal preferences.
Best wishes.
Steve