I bought this whistle from Tony specifically to be a travelling whistle as I’m very iffy about travelling with my priceless Rose blackwood (which has become now the only high D whistle I play). I reasoned from pics and threads that it’s similar in type to the Rose, and the news is that it is.
It’s actually the second one as there was a hairline “crack” on the first and Tony replaced it immediately - fantastic service from a very nice bloke! First impressions are excellent: sleek, black , shiny brass; the composite material very much resembles blackwood. The tone is clear, a slight chiff, reasonably strong, and in quality more like a wooden whistle. It sounds similar to the Rose though not quite as clear and strong. It’s also not quite as tonally accurate - the Rose is spot on for all notes in both octaves, while the Dixon is a touch flat here a touch sharp there, but nothing to worry about (better than many), and at a 7th of the price who’s complaining?!
It feels that it wants to be played. The holes are also very nice below the fingers - you can feel them, yet they’re fairly small and smooth (which I like). I find I have to slide out the tuning slide a fair way to get bell D (8mm or 5/16") - Tony may want to adjust that in the future.
Most importantly (for me), it looks similar to the Rose, sounds similar to the Rose, and will do exactly what I want from it, justifying why I bought it. I already prefer it to all my other high Ds excepting the Rose of course - but then a Rose is a Rose after all!
If you want a Rose/O’Riordan/Abell but don’t have the money (or patience to wait), then buy a Dixon - it’s a winner! Alternatively, if you’re in the Peter Laban school of “a Gen or Walton is all you need”, then for only 20 quid more you will get a far better whistle. Tony Dixon really has hit a niche at the low to medium level and is rightly selling more and more by the day (good on him). I predict that within 5-10 years he will have eaten a huge hole in the sales of Generations as more and more see the value in spending the extra £20.
Congrats on the Dixon. However, what I am really interested in knowing is how it compares with a regular high D Dixon. In short, is it a fancy version of the same whistle, or does it actually sound different somehow…? Assuming that you (or someone else?) has actually tried both, of course.
Cheers,
Jens
PS: If I remember correctly, you won’t find Peter Laban endorsing Waltons whistles anytime soon.
Glad to hear you’re pleased with the Dixon, as I was sure you would be. I still hope we’ll meet up in the Porterhouse some Sunday afternoon, and remember to bring your Rose.
I agree that this whistle fits the mid-priced market nicely, into which I also slot the Susato as it costs over £15 in London.
Jens - The Brass slide Dixon is much less breathy & chiffy then the regular tuneable D, though air requirements are similar.
Jens - The Brass slide Dixon is much less breathy & chiffy then the regular tuneable D, though air requirements are similar.
That’s interesting, and I am curious as to what it is in the new design that makes it have a different sound. The mouthpiece section is the same style as the regular one, isn’t it? And the body diameter and wall thickness is the same?
Jens - The Brass slide Dixon is much less breathy & chiffy then the regular tuneable D, though air requirements are similar.
That’s interesting, and I am curious as to what it is in the new design that makes it have a different sound. The mouthpiece section is the same style as the regular one, isn’t it? And the body diameter and wall thickness is the same?
Jens
I have played both as well… The original more than the new one as I own an original tuneable and a friend of mine (Dlambert) has the brass ring one… While I do think the tone is different… I think only slightly and not a major difference… At least it wasn’t a large enough difference to make me want to buy one… However, if I didn’t allready own mine I would get the new brass one… even with it’s intonation problems… Looks much nicer than mine with a wart for a tuning slide! Mr. Lambert… any comments?
Cramer - I ordered direct from Tony and it took a week.
Regarding tonal differences it’s the only Dixon I’ve played; I can only compare it to other makes, and it compares very favourably in my book. It doesn’t have that sharper sound you get with metal whistles, it’s a bit softer like wooden ones.
the old style and brass tuning slide models do compare to be pretty much the same. I prefer the brass slide model because I think its a little quieter than the original. It’s a great whistle to play. very smooth and not much work compared to some. it doesn’t clog easily. this is the whistle i play most. well worth the money.
