For sure I need to guard against committing the fallacy of painting all their products with the same brush, unfairly.Sedi wrote:
Can you explain what you don't like about them, Richard? Especially since I think we both have very similar taste in whistles and how we want them to perform.
I only tried the whistles, since I don't play any of the other instruments they sell.
I'm originally a Highland piper (since 1975) and I'm active in the Highland pipe world both in person and on online forums. When Carbony Highland pipes came out there was universal disdain from our community. It was as if somebody was making Highland pipes who had no familiarity with the instrument or how it was supposed to sound and function.
I've been playing uilleann pipes since 1977 and when I tried Carbony uilleann pipes it was the same story. Ditto their Gaita Gallega (I played a fine Spanish-made Gaita for many years, and I know how Gaitas are supposed to work).
I played Irish flute for over 30 years. I've played vast numbers of fine 19th century London-made originals and new Irish flutes by many makers. I know what good Irish flutes play like and what mediocre Irish flutes play like and the Carbony flutes were in the latter class.
It was the same with their Low Whistles. I've played Low Ds from a large number of makers over the years and to me the Carbony Low whistles weren't serious instruments, with an overall feeble sound, well below the sound from the all-plastic Dixon Low D, and miles below the sound of Low Ds that I would consider serious professional instruments.
As for my criteria for whistles, as I mentioned above it comes down to "sweet easy high notes, quick response, full low notes, and great tuning." Though I would add, for Low Whistles, great air-efficiency and good ergonomics.