Looking for “good” low D whistle with comfortable fingering hole spacing and air effiency (no Shaws anymore).
Good recommendations?
Maybe you could try a Chieftain or Overton. I have a Chieftain and find it very comfortable to play regarding stretch, back pressure and air requirements; but I don’t have a clue how the Shaw’s requirements are.
The Bleazey wooden lowD might be worth a try, too - small holes (like Phil’s flutes) = low air consumption. You might want to ask IDAwHOa on this board about them. He also made a sound sample of the Bleazey which can be found here.
I, too, would suggest Overton. Colin can build you a low whistle to your backpressure requirements. I would also like to suggest the recent incarnations of Mike Burke’s Viper. It has adequate back pressure and any healthy person can handle the medium air requirements. Mike’s instrument plays very evenly across both octaves, and the rotating bottom hole allows adjustment for this notoriously difficult fingering area. The Overton and the Burke both have a truly solid bottom end.
Be well.
Byll
I will yet again suggest Ronaldo Reyburn. Best tone I’ve ever heard out of a low whistle.
I don’t think you could go wrong with one of Phil’s whistle. The holes, especially the three at the bottom, have even spacings, and is easy to reach. My Songbird sounds nice, too, but maybe a bit too breathy for somebody.
I have an Alba low D that I like. The stretch isn’t bad and it’s pretty free-blowing. The upper register is clear but the lower one can be a wee bit breathy-sounding. It’s the only low D I’ve tried, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
I’ve played
Burkes, Howards, Cillian O’Briens, and an MK.
I’ve heard Overtons up close.
Unless you want to shell out for a wooden low D (ala Bleazey or Swayne), I’d wholeheartedly recommend the MK.
I’ve said it before on this forum, and I’ll say it again: Kerry Songbird. I’ve had time with a dozen or so low D’s, and just don’t think you can beat a Songbird for the value. My 2 cents.
If you have the money, I agree that MK’s are pretty nice. Sound good, and look better.
i have the hoover low d sounds like what your looking for and at a very REASONABLE PRICE