Quote:
The two old style D whistles are indistinguishable in sound and play, as basically are the three old style Cs that I now have. The C whistles are among the best tin whistles I've ever played (multiple criteria, a lot to do with their solid playability).
If I could get more of the B flats, I'd be happy ... that is, if they are as loud and true as the one I got in August.
I have a fair few of these and pick up the odd one when the mood takes me. I usually get them somewhere between €5 and €10 at the max.
I do find them variable I have four Cs and they're all distinctly different in their sound, the best one by a long shot is a post 1983 one (thought still from the 80s). The Ds vary less but are far from indistinguishable. A Bb from the early sixties is probably the worst Generation I ever came across, it barely plays. Which probably goes to show the older models are as variable as the current although if you get a decent one, the voicing will be more balanced between the octaves than the later models, certainly for the Ds and Ebs.
The best D I ever played resided in the flutecase of the late husband of a dear friend of mine. He was a highly respected flute and whistle player in his day and my friend wanted me to have a look at the flute, which Paddy Killoran had brought over for him from the US. The whistle, a pre eighties nickel Generation D was just absolutely gorgeous, a real dream to play and it had a clear, singing voice. I didn't let on because my friend treasured her late husbands instruments and I knew she'd give me the whistle if I told her how much I liked it. She's long gone now too.