I think G whistles are my least favorite to play. Alto G’s, that is. I’ve only had two but I wasn’t particularly keen on either one of them. They played just fine and were in tune with themselves and the sound they produced was up to par with the two makers’ excellent quality, but I just don’t care for the range they play in. Does that even make sense?
I use a G whistle when I play out sometimes because of a singer and a harper and their blasted key shifts so I was wondering which G whistle you all like? Right now I am using a Reviol and it’s great but I wonder if there’s something else out there I might like better. The other G I had was an Overton and I didn’t care for it. What about a Burke? Anyone play a Burke G? Any suggestions?
Copeland G is very good; also A–of course these will
now be hard to find.
I use G fifes/flutes a lot, like them better than whistles.
The Sweetheart Rosewood G is a super flute.
Generally I prefer flutes in these keys; also A.
I have two Gs - an O’Riordan Traveler and a Copeland - and they are probably my two favorite whistles, pretty extraordinary really. The O’Riordan is sweet and silky sounding - pure, balanced, rewarding, blah blah blah…whether or not you like all that, I find it just the best. To my taste, though he also makes the best Bflat, A out there as well. The whole TRaveler line is really responsive, whether or not you like the tone.
The Copeland is totally different and my favorite Copeland - gravelly, dark, complex, takes more air and breath control, but what a sound.
OK, so I like G
Oops - just found a Susato G - one of those laser etched jobs - also very good. Had a nice Overton once as well…
I love the key of G. I have several, my favorite being the Humphrey. I’ve been thinking of getting a Burke aluminum or composite to add to my collection.
I do play a Burke Aluminum G and it is a very nice whistle It gets a lot of playing time accompanying songs. It’s well tuned and well behaved and has a sweet top end. If you’ve played other Burkes, they all play very much the same. They are very consistent from key to key in their playing characteristics.
The above suggestions are good ones, I like both the Copeland and O’Rordan, really super whistles with unique personalities. I played a Susato Kildare G for a number of years that was nice. That Susato had smaller RH2 and RH3 holes than most I have played. I’ve never seen another one like it.
I also like the Water Weasel G though they could be hard to find these days too.
I play a Burke G as well as an A, both in brass. The tone is very clear and mellow with average volume, excellent intonation and low air requirements. I’m very fond of my G. I like the alto range of whistles. It makes for a nice change for my ear as well as the audiences, I think, from the low D or high D ranges.
Wow, thanks for all your suggestions. I’d absolutely love to have an O’Riordan but not for the price. I think I’d be most interested in a Water Weasel or a Burke. I’ll have to go check out Mack Hoover’s G’s on his site. I sure wish John Sindt made a G whistle! The lowest he goes is A, yes? Since I’ll mainly use the G for songs and not rip-roaring tunes I think I’d like something that can be played on the quieter, sweeter side. Is that doable on the Burke?
Absolutely! And that is how a lot of people use the Burke G. I use it most for song accompanyment. It works well in harmony with a high D or C too.
I’ll add this - you choose the material - brass, aluminum or composite. The brass and aluminum sound very much the same from two or more feet away. The aluminum G can be played as sweet as any whistle out there. The composite is a bit mellower than the metal Burkes.
Thanks, Deb and Feadoggie. I think I’ll try a Burke since they happen to be more readily available than a Water Weasel. Call me crazy but I prefer brass whistles to wooden whistles so I think the Hoover is out.
My personal quiver has a Copeland G and a WW G and a Burke Composite G.
I much prefer the composite to the aluminum Burke as it has a more complex, nutty sort of tone. To my knowledge Michael doesn’t make a brass low G but he’s beginning to make some forays in brass with some of the other low keys so who knows?
I also have a brass Burke Hi G which is one of my favorite tooters…perform on it all the time.
You can also see me sporting some very stylish hair gel (take home message: don’t get a haircut the day you’re shooting a DVD ) Our family did all the music for the film except for the obviously Haitian song.
Reyburn Gs are fine whistles as are the Humphreys…haven’t played a Reviol G.
Well, I went for it. I ordered a Burke brass G and it arrived this afternoon and it was totally worth it. I like it very much. I’ve only had it out of the box for about 10 minutes now and have only played it for about two minutes but I’m very pleased. I will be much happier with this G whistle. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions!
I think I’d be most interested in a Water Weasel or a Burke. I’ll have to go check out Mack Hoover’s G’s on his site. I sure wish John Sindt made a G whistle! The lowest he goes is A, yes? Since I’ll mainly use the G for songs and not rip-roaring tunes I think I’d like something that can be played on the quieter, sweeter side. Is that doable on the Burke?
) Our family did all the music for the film except for the obviously Haitian song.