FS: Setanta low D

[stiofan]

In excellent condition. see viewtopic.php?f=35&t=109578 for more info.

[pancelticpiper]

I would be very interested to hear your impressions of the Setanta, especially in comparison to some other makes of Low D.

[stiofan]

I would be very interested to hear your impressions of the Setanta, especially in comparison to some other makes of Low D.

Okay, here goes. The Setanta is a fine whistle, I'd say on a par with some (but not all) the more popular low Ds on the market. It's got a full, deep tone, and is well-balanced between octaves. This was the key factor for me, since one of the attributes I Iook for in any whistle is an upper register that isn't too harsh or takes a lot of effort to reach and sustain notes at the top of the second octave. It definitely has that going for it. Tone-wise, it's been compared to Cillian O'Briain's low whistles (which are no longer made, I don't think. I had an O'Briain years ago, but I can't honestly recall it that well to say one way or the other). I personally like the tone – it's deep and resonant with some interesting complexity, in a way a bit 'flutey,' and it's got decent volume, especially in the second octave.

There was some talk here on the forum last year about the Setanta being pitched in equal temperament. I can't say I've noticed it all that much, but that it does play in tune, though some notes have to be blown into tune a bit, which I don't consider all that unusual in a whistle myself. One of the things I noticed is that the cross-fingered Cnat is quite reasonably in tune and isn't too muted, which as we all know, a lot of whistles are on that particular note.

As for air requirements, it takes more air than I'd prefer, but perhaps not too much for some players. YMMV. However, I was surprised that it clogged in the lower octave (only) more than I'd expect from a whistle that's got a fairly spacious windway (I haven't measured it, so can't provide an accurate measurement at the moment) and takes more time to warm up than I like, though mild condensation build-up isn't too much of an issue once warmed up.

As for comparisons to other low Ds...I've been playing Goldies (mainly medium-blowers, and a soft-blower briefly this year) for so long now, that's all I really have as a frame of reference. The Setanta is a much different instrument, but perhaps more underrated than it should be and not all that familiar to some players. There are some favorable reviews out there, including a recent one by 'CutiePie' on YouTube.

Overall, for someone looking for a low D with a big open tone, good balance between octaves, and an all-around whistle that plays well, I'd recommend the Setanta. John McSherry is even quoted on the Setanta website: 'They play themselves!'

Let me know if there are other questions.

[pancelticpiper]

Thank you so much!

A Goldie has been my only Low D for a couple years now, so for me the Goldie is a perfect frame of reference.

One of the things I like about my Goldie is its superb air-efficiency. Perhaps this Setanta is more along the lines of the Lofgren Low D I owned, probably the best-playing Low D I've tried in terms of a powerful low octave and sweet 2nd octave, but a bit too air-hungry for my liking.

Oh and I found the thread about Setantas viewtopic.php?f=1&t=105737&hilit=setanta