High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

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Frizzygirl
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High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by Frizzygirl »

I am looking for a high C whistle and would like opinions on what brands you have and why you like it.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by fatmac »

Tony Dixon tuneable aluminium, has a lovely tone, & I can play it as a high flute/piccolo too, because I bought the Duo model. :)

I don't have too many of these high C, but another I like is the Clarkes Sweetone, & I have a couple of Generations & a couple of plastic ones that also sound quite nice.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by BigDavy »

Hi Frizzygirl

My high C whistles are part of sets, a Syn D/C set, a Syn A to E set (one head and multiple bodies) and a C/B set based on a Sweetheart C whistle.

I like both the Syn and Sweetheart C they are not difficult to play and in the case of the Syns, incredibly robust. The Sweetheart, being wooden, would likely be a considered purchase. The Syn C is only available as part of a set of whistle bodies with one common head.

If you are in the US, then look at the Irish Flute Store. In the UK try Big Whistle.

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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by An Draighean »

My favorite and go-to C whistle is a 70's-vintage Generation; nimble and light, good tone.

I also have a O'Brien wooden whistle that comes with different tube pieces to play in both D and C. I'm not crazy about wooden whistles, but this one plays in tune and is nice enough for what it is. The sound is quieter and more mellow than my Generation; sometimes I use it when playing with my wife to let her harp come through more.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by Tyler DelGregg »

The only Cs I play, listed alphabetically:

Freeman Blackbird
Shearwater Alloy
Susato Oriole

It's hard to explain why but I'll try.
Blackbird's sweet voice and gentle air requirement.
Shearwater's hiss and it allows me to lean into high notes without being screechy.
Susato's volume without being obnoxious. I must say, though, this is the only Susato that I actually like.

All of them have a nice OXX OOO
Last edited by Tyler DelGregg on Fri Jul 05, 2019 2:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by busterbill »

The only C natural I have that is still purchasable is the Killarney nickel silver tube. I find it quite nice, even and easy to play, but don't use Cs very much. I have an O'roirdan and a Schultz water weasel set that have Cs. Both of these are very nice but not easy to find.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by Frizzygirl »

Thank you all for your input. Much to consider! :boggle:
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Steve Bliven
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by Steve Bliven »

Just to add to the options, Jerry Freeman Mellow Dog C....

Best wishes.

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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by jiminos »

Favorite : Feadog nickel. My wife bought it for me during a trip to Scotland a few years ago.

Second: Susato Kildare. Good volume. Excellent intonation.

Third: Parks walkabout. Great intonation. Controllable volume.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by Sedi »

+1
I also love the Feadóg C. And my vintage Generation but the head cracked over the years. Still plays fine though. My first whistle.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by Polara Pat »

I have a few inexpensive C whistles but my go-to is an older Generation that I got from the thrift store for $.99. It plays great and looks like it came out of a treasure chest.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by swizzlestick »

If any of your playing will be outdoors, it's hard to best the Susato Kildare. Very resistant to wind and, in my opinion, the best sounding key in the Susato line. I recommend the o-ring tweak that you will find discussed in older posts.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by pancelticpiper »

My #1 C whistle is a Generation I got around 1980.

I've tried C's from Burke, Susato, Sindt, Dixon, and so many other makers I can't remember, including fancy wood ones by big-name makers that cost several hundred dollars, and none of them come close to that Generation.

It's had no modifications to the head other than filling the cavity below the windway, which raised the 2nd octave a bit, and sweetened the tone overall.

As it came, the "G" (in D-speak) was sharper than all the other notes, and I played this whistle for years with tape on that hole.

Then one day I bit the bullet and chopped the bottom and carved out the other holes to give a perfect scale with no tape.

A few months ago I bought a pile of old cheap whistles and the diamond in the rough was a Waltons C that is superb. It's probably the second-best C I've played.

As far as the "why", what I like is a very sweet easy light responsive 2nd octave and a full round low octave, with minimal "break" between the octaves, and a complex sophisticated tone.
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by JTU »

Like Big Davy I am also a fan of the Syn C. You can buy it on the Oz Whistle site or direct from the maker Erle Bartlett. Mitch, on the Oz Whistle site, describes the Syn C as “pure magic” and I think he is correct. You can buy it as part of a D, C package although I wouldn’t let that put you of because if you buy the D the C tube is only around (at least last time I looked) $20 AUD and if you are an overseas buyer $110 AUD for the set must be extraordinarily good value.

BTW I notice that Mitch had a once off West Indian Cocus Wood high D for sale that went really quickly. Missed it when it came up or I might have bought it. Did anyone here buy it if so what’s it like?

All the Best
JT
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Re: High C whistles, what is your favourite and why??

Post by technowhistle »

Tyler DelGregg wrote:The only Cs I play, listed alphabetically:

Freeman Blackbird
This one for me too.
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