I started with the cheapest Clarke there is. I kind of like it but could not put it in tune. I got a plastic Dixon and it plays sooo quiet and some notes quieter than others. I also find it shrill, much more so than the tin ones. I recently bought a Freeman Tweaked Clarke Sweetone. The tone is, well, sweet and it plays pretty well for a cheap whistle being played by a guy with 2 months experience. I now am thinking about Freeman’s Tweaked feadog- he calls mellow dog. Would anyone venture a guess as to if it would play better than the Clarke? My other question… Is it possible to tweak my Dixon so it will play louder.
Hi
I’m not an expert, but my advice is to stick with playing the whistles you have for at least another four months. Otherwise you’ll just end up with lots of cheap whistles that you can only play moderately well.
Stay hoopy,
Mike
if you’re looking for a louder whistle, maybe take a look a nickel whistle such as a generation nickel d or feadog pro. otherwise, it certainly looks like you have a nice quiver of whistles already that you may want to stay with for a little bit more.
I don’t have a tweaked Sweetone, but I do have a Mellow Dog.
It sounds like you basically have a regular Sweetone (or Meg, same thing), a tweaked Sweetone, and a plastic Dixon.
That being the case, I’d say that you really would be getting something a little different than what you have, if you were to buy a Mellow Dog. Plus, they’re still not expensive in the grand scheme of things at about $40.
I’m sure Jerry’s Sweetone is nice, but the Mellow Dog gets a lot more press, and a lot of positive reviews. Know though, that it’s still not a loud whistle. It’s probably similar to your Sweetones or so - standard cheapie volume. It’s also a pretty easy blower, so it takes a little breath control.
So, if you want to get one and the money’s not much of an issue, I’d say go ahead and pick one up. I do recommend paying the extra $5 and getting the C body as well.
Alternatively, you might consider Jerry’s new Blackbird. Not really any reviews out yet, but it should be a nice one.
Having said all that - if you get the Mellow Dog (or Blackbird), I would recommend stopping there for a while. Jerry’s $36.50 whistles are proven players and you won’t get much better without spending quite a bit more. So, stick with that for a few months.
Jason