JackJ wrote:
I need another D whistle like I need another inch added to my waistline, but as a big fan of the Freeman whistles I already own, I'm tempted by this one.
How does it compare to the Blackbird in terms of both tone and how it responds? Curious what might be different about the mouthpieces and bodies.
The Blackbird is a good whistle, but imho the Bluebird is subjectively better. When I gave away my Bluebird to my sis-in-law I replaced it with a Blackbird. Recently when I had the chance to buy a secondhand Bluebird I jumped on the chance, and gave my Blackbird to a student of mine.
Having said this, they are both very similar. Playing characteristics are identical as best as I can tell, but the Bluebird is more pure. The Blackbird is also pure sounding, but has more complexity or “chiff” to the tone. Which is pro to many, but a con for me since I prefer my whistles to be as pure sounding as possible.