Hi; I'm thinking of getting A Howard Classic Low D Whistle – B Stock. I emailed info@howardmusic.co.uk
but never got a response.
Has anyone bought one recently and could maybe answer my questions?
1. I know it says "NEW -M3 Whistle Head-" I saw a review for them were they played 3 different heads and I liked the M3B head the best. Did it say which head you received with the B-Stock?
2. Will the B's play exactly the same and sound the same? I know it says "Perfect in terms of sound and playability but with some minor blemishes, e.g. a small scratch, inconsistent powder coat." Is this really the case?

I like the sound of them on you tube and I can afford the B's, that is I will hopefully after my birthday on the 31.
I like that they do free shipping. Their Black Silk is gorgeous but outside of my price range.

It would be nice if they answered their email. I also tried posting on their site but nothing happens when I hit submit.

_________________
Stay safe and hopefully healthy;

Patti Burns

I recently bought a Howard Low D, Black Silk model. It's divine in every way. Free shipping to Australia (and the rest of the world).

I had no problem with communication, and received several emails from David O'Hagan. Currently they are shipping with the one head, but he informs me the other three are close to production ready, and he is just refining them now. I will certainly be ordering a full set. The review you saw was a prototype set, and she mentions that.

I believe the B stock are merely less than cosmetically perfect. When you see the Black Silk in person, you realise what an incredibly high standard of finish they have.

As to playing, it's a bit sensitive and you have to be careful not to overblow in the low register, but like all wind instruments, they have their own life and character and you have to learn how to adjust to each one. A fantastic instrument. Perhaps not to the exact taste of everybody, but it is my idea of Low D perfection! I have consequently retired my Chieftain V3.

In these complex times, perhaps they are having business difficulties, so don't be too hard on them re email. Give it another try.

Andrew

Thanks!

I agree the Too bad it's outside my price window. When you emailed them did you do it on their webpage? When I tried that using Firefox, chrome, or internet explore it let me fill in all the boxes (including math problem) but it wouldn't let me submit it. Nothing happened when I clicked the box, or double clicked, pressed enter, etc. I'll try my regular email again. When I first emailed him it was on the 12'th; probably before Corona? Who knows now how that will effect things. I hope everyone stays safe and practices their whistles in isolation.
I hope you wild fire dry season is over?

Thanks for responding;

Patti

_________________
Stay safe and hopefully healthy;

Patti Burns

I bought a 'second' from them shortly after they acquired the brand, it came with the improved head.

I have never found anything wrong with it, mine is the black, it has a lovely tone, reasonably loud, (but may get lost in a session from what I've read), but I only play for my own pleasure, so no worries there.

_________________
Keith.
Trying to do justice to my various musical instruments.

Can either of you tell me how long it is and how far apart the holes are?
Thanks.

_________________
Stay safe and hopefully healthy;

Patti Burns

Length to the head tuning mark = 470mm
to the fipple blade = 502mm
to end of fipple = 540mm
top holes = 71mm apart (34 - 37)
lower holes = 53mm below top holes 74mm apart (27 - 47)
tube diameter = 24mm

All measured by eye.

_________________
Keith.
Trying to do justice to my various musical instruments.

Thanks Keith I think it is worth a try. I f I stretch hard using pipers grip I can barely get it. If I try the pinky method for the last hole on end thats a lot easier. Maybe worth a try. I know perseverance and practice. I do like the sound of it on you tube.

Anyone ever try something like generic Tone-hole key for low whistles?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tone-hole-key- ... SwFFtazexU

_________________
Stay safe and hopefully healthy;

Patti Burns

I couldn't play low 'D' whistles until my hand loosened up & my finger stretch increased, (after doing some simple stretching exercises), so it is likely you will be able to reach them after a little while of practicing.

_________________
Keith.
Trying to do justice to my various musical instruments.

I'll have to look up finger stretches.

David finally answered my email and was very helpful! I just placed an order for his 1 and only 1 B grade Black Silk Low D. He even said he'd hold it for me. Kudos to Howard whistles and David

Now it's just like waiting for Christmas to come.

_________________
Stay safe and hopefully healthy;

Patti Burns

All I did for stretching my fingers, was to put the hand face down on a table, fingers open, use the other hand to gently push a pair of fingers apart, I stress gently; this worked for me, after a couple of weeks I could just about cover the holes; from there it was just down to more practicing.

I hope you enjoy your new Howard.

_________________
Keith.
Trying to do justice to my various musical instruments.

Interesting that subject should come up, my best MK Low D was one like that.

I bought it from a guy who had bought it direct from MK. He chatted with Misha on the phone, Misha said something like "I have one with some imperfections in the finish, I can't send it out, but it's an exceptional player".

It was an exceptional player. Since I buy whistles to play rather than display I bought it as soon as it became available.

_________________
Richard Cook
1978 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle

Yes, I did it !Twice ! Three weeks ago I bought a "B stock" Howard Low D in red, with the new M3 mouthpiece (not the B one, the standard new M3). It is fabulous, a favorite of mine. Actually, I could not find any blemish on it so I do not know why it was marked as B stock. It sounds great, very easy to play both octaves, very balanced between the low and the high octave, with a superb Low D note. I was SO happy that I ordered a second one, also B stock, this time in polished nickel. David from Howard, to my delight, wrote me and offered me, in order to have two whistles with a slightly different sound, to send the second whistle equipped with the very new "chiff" mouthpiece. I accepted of course, and I got it yesterday. I love it! it sounds like the red one but with a bit of added "breathe" in the tone. Awesome. This one has a micro dent on the polished nickel body, between the third and the fourth hole, which does not affect the sound at all.
Both whistles were shipped to the United States where I live with a FREE express Fed Ex two days shipping. In fact I got them in two days. These Howard Low Ds are difficult to beat, and the "B stock" ones (which cost me around $100 each, including shipping) are an unbelievable bargain. Take advantage of it if they are still available !

I ordered mine early Thur. morning and had it in my hands Friday late afternoon. All for free shipping. I was amazed to get a whistle from UK to Iowa in less than 48 hours.
I can cover the top holes with finger tips with out much stress. I seems to do a better job covering the holes that way then trying to do the pipers grip.
The bottom holes are another story. The top 2 are close enough to do with finger tips or pipers grip. Trying to hit the last hole all the way (either way) is on going progress. I find if I put that finger down first it's easier to to reach top two. Practice practice practice....
I find that when I try to stretch from the top two (lower holes) to the bottom hole my wrist turns from angling down to sort of angling up. I can cover the hole better that way but then it puts more strain on my wrist. I can do it easier covering bottom hole with my pinky but that sometimes lifts up my next finger just enough for a little air to escape. Also my wrist is torcqued (not as much). Maybe it is just getting used to holding a longer whistle and holding your arms farther away. My got to whistle before this was an alto A
Argh It's only the second day, sigh. I'm sure it will come. I'd just like to get the technique down that would best for me. Practice, practice, practice.
When I do get the holes covered all the way it sounds beautiful. I'm glad it's not to loud.

_________________
Stay safe and hopefully healthy;

Patti Burns

Regarding covering those bottom holes I saw a great video showing how to do it more comfortably. Place your right ring finger on the bottom hole with full coverage and without stretching. Now keeping that finger there, lift your wrist up so your fingers are angled down enough to cover the next two highest holes. Your right middle and right index fingers will have more of a piper's grip than the right ring finger. As long as you work on keeping that elbow lifted a bit your wrist isn't cocked at an angle and you can easily reach the bottom hole.

Good luck and start on slow airs!

-Peter

Thanks Peter;
Can you post a link to the video? I'm getting a little better, but it is still easier with the pinky. I'm not giving up yet. Any ideas on slow airs? I've got the Sky Boat Song and Amazing Grace.

Patti

_________________
Stay safe and hopefully healthy;

Patti Burns