I haven’t seem much about these whistles in previous posts. I’m curious about what you guys think about these whistles… Not just the sopD but the full range… From high F to Low D…
Blayne
Blayne,
I have a Burke Low D. It has excellent internal tuning, nice volume, a strong low end, and a pleasant upper end. I find that the tone characteristics are somewhat similar to Copeland Low whistles I have played. It also comes in three pieces, making it very compact for travel. The clog resistant mouthpiece also works well.
It’s a great whistle at a reasonable price, in my opinion.
I play AlPros in the keys of D, C, A, and G. They have moderate wind requirements, excellent internal tuning, and have absolutely no quirks that make them ‘risky’ to play in public. Their tone is very pure and open. Second octave volume is not appreciably louder than first octave. Mike is excellent with which to deal, abeit slow, when overburdened with orders. Over the years, I have sold most of my whistles. I retain my Burkes and Hoovers.
Cheers to all,
Byll
Hey Blayne,
I had an aluminum sop D and I still have an old style brass D. I really don’t like the sound of them. Especially the aluminum model. It played well but had this recorder like non-whistle sound. Just my opinion.
Don
On 2002-03-02 14:26, dlambert wrote:
Hey Blayne,I had an aluminum sop D and I still have an old style brass D. I really don’t like the sound of them. Especially the aluminum model. It played well but had this recorder like non-whistle sound. Just my opinion.
Don
Interesting… I’ve played a couple Brass Ds and loved them immediately… I did find them a bit heavy… I’ve spoken with one of the women at Song of the Sea and she says it’s the best whistle she’s ever played… Hmm… To each is own… Anyone out there have any of the “odd keys” C#… B?
I have Burke Al pros in D, low-D and low-C, as well as a wide-bore brass D. I have nothing but good things to say about them.
I first bought the WBB because I was looking for a quality whistle with a tinnier sound than the Water Weasels. To my ear the WBB has a quite authentic whistle sound. The Al, possibly a little less so. They’re both a little breathy as opposed to chiffy. I like the WBB better – it’s heavier, the Al pro is so light that I find it difficult to hold.
The low-D and low-C both have wonderful sound – quite chiffy. And they both boom right down to the lowest notes. The D has reasonable breqth requirements for a low-D; I would absolutely call the low-C a breath hog. But then, it’s absolutely huge.
The absolutely best things about these whistles, though, is the playability. As Byll said, they have no quirks. I usually say that you can pick up one of these whistles any time, blow it, and know exactly what’s going to happen – what note, volume, etc. Plus, as others have pointed out, the volume and breath requirements are pretty constant across the octaves.
Charlie
As others had, refer to Byll. I have an Al-Pro in B natural. It sings.
Best,
Bob Pegritz
I got my Al Pro D whistle two weeks ago. The more I play the more I like it. All my inexpensive whistles except Susato C, I cannot predict what will be the next blow. For Burke’s whistle, you almost can expect your next move. Burke’s whistle has pure and metallic sound specially at 2nd octave and reasonable volume, very little chiff and breathy. I bought my Al Pro D from Song of the Sea. That is the only store having some Burke’s whistles in stock. I got it within a week. The whistle was completed by Mr. Burke and signed on 7-20-2001. I am surprised that they have Burke’s whistle in stock. I tried to buy Al Pro C and Pro Bb from the store but they don’t have it. I am currently directly ordering the Al Pro C and Pro Bb from Mr. Burke. He told me I may get them around four weeks. Burke’s whistle made newbie like me easier to enjoy playing. After I gain experience on D whistle I may order Low whistles from Mr. Burke.
I have an aluminum A. . .rich, mellow sound that is very pleasant to play. I don’t much like the fragility of the thing-walled aluminum though. Dents and dings very easily.
I got the A after coming to love the WBB and respecting its solid, trustworthy sound. I just bought a Composite C and can’t wait to see how it measures up to its Burke brethren!
The Al-pro soprano D is one of my favorite whistles to play; IMHO, close to perfect. I also have an A that is very good, but not as outstanding (esp with respect to ease of play and overall tonal quality)as the D. For me it just reinforces that no maker is great across all keys. Overtons seem better in lower keys, Sindts in higher keys, Copeland not great with high C, etc.
On 2002-03-02 15:54, tyghress wrote:
I don’t much like the fragility of the thing-walled aluminum though. Dents and dings very easily.
Can anyone else comment on this? Tyghress… are you just hard on whistles? 
This friend of mine that plays at a session I go to throws her WBBD around like it’s a Dixon or something! (BTW that’s what I use my Dixon for… Put in the pocket & go… I also play my Dixon when I’m drinking coffe… It’s my “take the abuse and like it” whistle!)
Also… What’s the rollcase like? Anyone have a pic?
Peace,
Blayne
I have a roll case. They’re great. They have 8 slots for whistles with a flap that covers them up. Then you roll it all up and sinch it down with two pull ties. I can hold these whistles in it:
Susato Low D, Burke low F & G, Sindt A/Bb combo (two tubes), Burke C & D, Hoover D, Oak D one other small whistle.
JP
On 2002-03-02 15:54, tyghress wrote:
I just bought a Composite C and can’t wait to see how it measures up to its Burke brethren!
I was wondering who finally bought the composite Burke C from Fyfer-Restorations. 
I’m assuming that’s where you’re getting it from since David just changed it’s “for sale” status this weekend.
I bought the WBB D and the composite D he had back before Christmas.
The WBB goes everywhere with me because it’s so durable and is such a great whistle… I’m lusting after the old-style brass Burke Eb he has for sale now.
I’m glad to see that the tunable Overton low D he had has also found a new home… I really didn’t need another Overton low D, but WhOA was hitting me hard over that one!
Oh, yeah, I have a composite low-E (also bought from Fyfer). This thing is a remarkable whistle. It’s just so easy to play, plus it has a wonderful sound. Not as chiffy as the low-D and -C; I don’t know whether it’s because it’s a different model or different key or both.
Does anyone have his whistles in the same key in composite and metal? Any comments on the differences/similarities?
Charlie
On 2002-03-02 22:09, chas wrote:
Does anyone have his whistles in the same key in composite and metal? Any comments on the differences/similarities?
I have soprano D Burkes in all three available materials.
The AL-Pro is remarkable for purity of tone, the old-style WBB is more chiffy and traditional sounding, and the composite has a very bold and powerful tone.
I really like what TINWFUN had to say. I have never thought of this but yes, (ABSOLUTELY) the higher end whistles do have a predictability that adds a bit of comfort to the player who may worry if a certain note will come out the same way it did the last time!! With regard to dents and dings, the very nature of the thin wall in Mike’s Al Pro series is what I believe to be one of the reasons that the instruments sound so good. And finally, TINWFUN calls Mike “Mr. Burke”. What a refreshing thing to see someone with that kind of respect. Reminds me of a surgeon that I worked with for 12 years; called everyone “Mr” and “Miss”. Conley Edwards from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I miss him.
And more congrats to Mr. Burke; I was recently asked to play whistle on the “official” 09/11 song commissioned by the Office of the Mayor of New York. And that whistle that I will be using will be a toss up between a Burke B natural Al-Pro and a Burke B natural composite. So thanks Mike, for a fine and predicatable instrument.
Best to everyone,
Bob Pegritz
OK, it is late. I posted my last comment here just before 3 AM. I forgot to mention one important thing. Colin Goldie, a dear friend and excellent whistle maker, has crafted another B natural for the song that I’ll be playing on in New York next week. And so, I will let the composer of the song and those that are footing the bill for this recording decide on the choice of whistle that I will use. But I want it well known that Colin crafted this whistle in ONE DAY and sent it out to me from Germany. Now that is a true friend to me, the whistle community at large, and the world.
Thanks, Colin. I’m watching the post box daily.
Bob Pegritz
I may well be a bit hard on whistles, but I may have overstated the problem too. I put one significant ding in my A by not paying attention, and listening to someone who wasn’t being as clear as I would have liked. I’ve learned (1)Keep the whistle maintained…don’t go three months without checking the tuning slide, (2) Pay attention to the instructions and do NOT seperate where you shouldn’t. The ding hasn’t affected sound, just appearance so I’m not going to fret. The Al A FEELS fragile for its size, especially after handling its robust and weighty little brother the WBB D
But during session when I have four whistles out, they get knocked a bit, scratched some. This is the one I worry most about because it feels so delicate.
I would love to be able to justify getting all of Mike’s varieties of D, but even the collector in me can’t justify that. So now I will have one in each material, in my primary playing keys! Yes, it was the one that Fyfer Restorations offered.