Killarney-like alto?

[WhistleTunes]

I’ve fallen in love with Killarney whistles, but my understanding is they don’t have plans to extend their range downward below Bb at this point. Is anyone aware of an alto G and A whistles that play like Killarneys? Very air efficient and sweeter tone.

Thanks!

[MadmanWithaWhistle]

Perhaps Tony Dixon's work? I've been doing a lot of researching and experimenting as I expand the range of keys I offer, and I'm stopping at Bb as well - some of the factors that make my high whistles so good simply don't scale in any kind of attractive way once you get down that low.

[fatmac]

I have a Thunderbird 'A', Tony Dixon trad brass 'A' & 'G', an aluminium 'A', & an ABS 'G', they have become some of my favourite whistles, (along with my 2 low 'F' whistles).

[busterbill]

You can get a Sindt A and Bb that will be superior in my humble opinion. He is still taking orders. He did not make a G at last count. But you could always ask.

[pancelticpiper]

I'll second the Sindt recommendation. I had a Sindt A/Bb/B set which was superb.

Sindts, good Killarneys, and good Generations are my favourite high whistles. I use Generations down to A, what I did for A was make a body from brass hobby tubing to fit on a Generation Bb head.

For G and F I've been playing Burkes for quite a while now. But I'm slowly replacing my random Low and Alto/Mezzo whistles with Goldies.

[RoberTunes]

The Killarney projects very precise notes and of course the tone and volume are balanced, clear and singing through the octaves. The shift to alto keys creates a shift in character, it can't be helped. So I see two issues; the balanced, crisp precision of playing through all octaves, and the tone you like. The second issue is entirely up to you; what you like, and you'll have to explore that yourself.

Tony Dixon A's and G's in aluminum will give you particularly crisp precise playing and clear tone, a very efficient use of air. I have the D in aluminum and still think it's one of the clearest and precise players available. The brass offers something similar but a more rounded tone. Plastic is the third option, even if just for exploring tonal variety as related to materials.

That being said, I haven't searched for exactly this Killarney comparison in mind, so there will be more. Check out multi-model comparisons, such as this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJEb_ojxM74

Good luck!

[Mr.Gumby]

I think the weight of the brass heads scaled to lower keys would be a major issue. I have Killarney C and sindt B whistles that are, while perfectly manageable, are already fairly heavy. Think of the chunk of brass it will take to make a head that will drive, say, a low F.

[pancelticpiper]

Might have to shift to aluminum for the big ones.

Or delrin/polypenco.

I had a solid brass Chieftain Low D and it was just too heavy.

[tin tin]

I think the weight of the brass heads scaled to lower keys would be a major issue. I have Killarney C and sindt B whistles that are, while perfectly manageable, are already fairly heavy. Think of the chunk of brass it will take to make a head that will drive, say, a low F.

Yes, I had a Sindt A back in the day. Great whistle, but that large brass head did make it rather top-heavy.

[busterbill]

I think the weight of the brass heads scaled to lower keys would be a major issue. I have Killarney C and sindt B whistles that are, while perfectly manageable, are already fairly heavy. Think of the chunk of brass it will take to make a head that will drive, say, a low F.

Yes, I had a Sindt A back in the day. Great whistle, but that large brass head did make it rather top-heavy.

It might be a bit, but I don't end up feeling it when I play my Sindt A.

I do have a friend who is sensitive to metals and ask JS to make him a completely delrin mouthpiece on a D whistle. It definitely cut down the weight and made it a trifle mellower if I remember correctly. I am trying to picture it now, but I can't remember if the whole head was delrin or just the portion that meets the lips.