Tell us something.: I moved, so I'm in a different city. Not in Texas anymore!!! Although if someone sees that I'm in NYC, maybe they'll know of local places that I can look for whistles.
Hi all, I used to post here a long time ago and now I'm back.
I used to have 10ish whistles, but after a couple of moves, it appears I'm down to two: a Clarke Meg D and a Generation nickel Bb. (both purchased pre-2005) Of course I can't only have two whistles, so I'm in the market for more. I used to have a Clarke Original D and SweeTone C, plus an Acorn D and a Walton Little Black Whistle. Not sure of the others.
Are these still the go-to brands for inexpensive playing? I don't want to miss out on something good.
Two of the best cheap whistles in my experience, are the Waltons Mellow D (I don't like the little black one, but maybe I was just unlucky with my specimen) and the Oak. I think the Oak is different enough from the Acorn to try one, even if you already had an Acorn. AFAIK they are from the same company, but the Oak has a thicker barrel (same as the Feadog Pro but the Oak is cheaper) and is tunable out of the box.
Tell us something.: I moved, so I'm in a different city. Not in Texas anymore!!! Although if someone sees that I'm in NYC, maybe they'll know of local places that I can look for whistles.
Sedi wrote:Two of the best cheap whistles in my experience, are the Waltons Mellow D (I don't like the little black one, but maybe I was just unlucky with my specimen) and the Oak. I think the Oak is different enough from the Acorn to try one, even if you already had an Acorn. AFAIK they are from the same company, but the Oak has a thicker barrel (same as the Feadog Pro but the Oak is cheaper) and is tunable out of the box.
I for sure never had an Oak, so I'll put that on the list. And I'll check out the Mellow D.
I dont have one but Killarney look and sound wonderful, so if you were looking to add something nice and shiny with a higher price tag to your whistle stash, could be a great option. I also like my dixon d trad, is only a tad more expensive than generations and stuff.
Tell us something.: I moved, so I'm in a different city. Not in Texas anymore!!! Although if someone sees that I'm in NYC, maybe they'll know of local places that I can look for whistles.
Narzog wrote:I dont have one but Killarney look and sound wonderful, so if you were looking to add something nice and shiny with a higher price tag to your whistle stash, could be a great option. I also like my dixon d trad, is only a tad more expensive than generations and stuff.
Tell us something.: I moved, so I'm in a different city. Not in Texas anymore!!! Although if someone sees that I'm in NYC, maybe they'll know of local places that I can look for whistles.
Tell us something.: Kickbiker - at over 70! :lol: .................................................................... ....................................................................
In the low price/high whistle category I have, Generation brass & nickel, Feadog, Walton little black, Clarkes Sweetone & Meg, Tony Dixon Trad brass & ABS one piece.
(Slightly higher priced I have Tony Dixon aluminium whistles.)
Keith.
Trying to do justice to my various musical instruments.
Tell us something.: I moved, so I'm in a different city. Not in Texas anymore!!! Although if someone sees that I'm in NYC, maybe they'll know of local places that I can look for whistles.
Tell us something.: I just bought a Clarke Sweetone and I’m interested in learning how to play it. My goal is to be able to play the whistle without my family complaining too much.
Another low cost whistle to look at is the Clare. The easiest way to order one is through eBay (they have a store presence). I have a two-piece Clare that is pretty good. YMMV, but I find the Feadog to be a little raspy.
Tell us something.: I moved, so I'm in a different city. Not in Texas anymore!!! Although if someone sees that I'm in NYC, maybe they'll know of local places that I can look for whistles.
I have a Generation brass D on the way and one of the pretty Generation Auroras--couldn't help myself.
Alaskamike wrote:Another low cost whistle to look at is the Clare. The easiest way to order one is through eBay (they have a store presence). I have a two-piece Clare that is pretty good. YMMV, but I find the Feadog to be a little raspy.
I've heard of Clare, but never owned one. I will definitely look for their eBay store.
Tell us something.: Instrument maker and researcher exploring new methods of creating traditional instruments with longevity aforethought. Player of the whistle, flute, and continental European border pipes.
I'm finally getting ready to release my own line of Classic-Generation-inspired high whistles, which I've mentioned a few times in the past here. It's been slow going during the pandemic due to burnout both on the project and my day job. However, I rallied some energy recently and am finishing up the tonebodies for E, Eb, and D, and I'll be sending them on a whistle tour if folks are interested here. These whistles feature a powerful low octave (you can even honk the bell note a bit) yet a sweet high octave that doesn't stray into piercing if one plays with good technique. My "red top" model is the closest to an old Gen, and has a lot of nice scratch and 'free articulations,' which is what I call those distinctive crossing noises they make. The "blue top" model is a little mellower and rounder sounding, although with fewer free articulations.
Oddly enough, the tonebodies are the part that's been the most head-scratching to me. My headjoint design took a long time to dial in, sure, but I understand a lot more about how the key dimensions interact with each other there than in the barrel. Always more to learn!
Tell us something.: I have recently retired and have always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument. I'm leaning to play the whistle and now the flute.
MadmanWithaWhistle wrote:I'm finally getting ready to release my own line of Classic-Generation-inspired high whistles, which I've mentioned a few times in the past here. It's been slow going during the pandemic due to burnout both on the project and my day job. However, I rallied some energy recently and am finishing up the tonebodies for E, Eb, and D, and I'll be sending them on a whistle tour if folks are interested here.
I am interested in participating and have sent you a pm.
I really hope you intend to include some industrial strength sanitiser with that.
I'd be happy, and curious, enough to give one of these whistles a spin, should the opportunity arise, but am not convinced this is the right time to send windinstruments from one person to the next.
Tell us something.: I moved, so I'm in a different city. Not in Texas anymore!!! Although if someone sees that I'm in NYC, maybe they'll know of local places that I can look for whistles.
Tell us something.: I have recently retired and have always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument. I'm leaning to play the whistle and now the flute.
I really hope you intend to include some industrial strength sanitiser with that.
I'd be happy, and curious, enough to give one of these whistles a spin, should the opportunity arise, but am not convinced this is the right time to send windinstruments from one person to the next.
No need for industrial strength sanitizer, just a simple solution of 70% or better of alcohol and water will kill the virus per the US CDC if my memory serves me correctly. Since this past May I have bought over 3 dozen whistles. About 80% of them were used. I treated each one as though it hadn't been cleaned and gave them a good washing with the sanitizer before they ever touched my lips. No problems.
