Starter Whistle/set recommendation?

[jplee3]

Since you mention a "Freeman" version of the Mellow D, you're likely considering more than $20 as acceptable, so that opens up many options. Be patient, you're about to receive a very good whistle.

So from there it depends on what kind of tone and playing characteristics you prefer. In that roughly $20 to $85 price range, WOW, you could go for any of these options: Killarney, Tony Dixon DX001, DX004, DX006 (aluminum), DX005 or TradBrass, Goldfinch, a used Chieftain Thunderbird (Kerry isn't producing high D whistles at the moment), the Walton Little Black D or Guinness model, Hermit Hill, Feadog Pro, Setanta (if you can find them sold as a single whistle), Oak, Parks, Tilbury, Timothy Potter, for starters.

I have a feeling this is going to become a new addiction/hobby for me. Without even knowing what a penny/tin whistle was, I had heard them before played on various songs and always thought there was something special about them. I used to play the clarinet in middle school and still have it (need to replace the pads) but barely ever play. I love the tone of these whistles though.

[Wanderer]

at a slight price increase (around $30 USD last I checked), the Dixon DX-Trad is a nice and easy place little whistle.

Is that this one? https://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Trad-D-Whi ... 001KZTSB6/

yup. Also here: https://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/produc ... -key-of-d/

And at the risk of self promotion, I've reviewed a lot of whistles here: http://tinwhistler.com/Reviews

There are a few other folks who've reviewed a large number of whistles--but I don't have any links handy, unfortunately.