Harper/Overton?

Whistle
1

Hello everyone-

I have been playing a Clarke sporadically for about a year now, more or less by default, and am looking to purchase an instrument more suited to how I wish to sound. I can (well, sort of) afford to spend up to $160.

This section is a bit of background- skip it if you like…
I play the clarinet, and was handed the Clarke a couple of years ago and told to learn to play, as one of the wind ensemble’s pieces called for a pennywhistle. Very basic part, but it got me hooked. Problem is, after performing the piece, I let it slide, and didn’t touch the thing until the past year or so, when a friend introduced me to irish traditional music.

Here’s the relevant part:
While the Clarke was nice, there are some aspects of its performance that I don’t like. I acknowledge that perhaps my imperfect technique may be at ffault, but be that as it may, here are my thoughts. I, unfortunately, don’t have the most volumnous lungs, and the Clarke takes a LOT of air, especially in the upper register. Consequently, I am obliged to compromise phrasing on occasion. Also, I don’t play with large or loud groups (at all, actually: although at some point after I have gained a bit more familliarity with the music I would like to start a group on campus) so the piercing, loud highs of the clarke seem excessive to me. Plus, I prefer a pure, sweet tone to the breathy, (is chiff the appropriate term here?) albeit sweet in its own way tone of the Clarke.

In Sum, I seek a sweet, pure sounding whistle, requiring relatively little air, that isn’t excessively loud.

In looking for an upgrade (a disclaimer for the Clarke purists: I do not intend to normatively charge the term “upgrade”- the clarke just doesn’t seem to fit my particular ideals), I have come across several instruments that I like.

First is the Harper Sop. D. (I should have specified that: I’m looking for another Sop. D) I really like this whistle, from what I can make of it. I love the way it looks. I wish to purchase an all-metal (preferably aluminum) whistle: that is something I don’t really want to compromise on- it’s an aesthetic thing, but for some reason it’s very important to me. The Harper looks very SOLID, and that is another must for the instrument. Dale Wisely characterizes its sound as “smooth” and “clean”, without “scream”, which I like. I would buy this instrument in a second, but i wanted to ask wiser heads than I. I understand that the instrument takes a while to warm up, but I’m used to this: the clarinet is a fickle beast, too.

Second is the Overton Sop. D. By all accounts I’ve come across, an excellent instrument, but apparently it has substantial breath requirements. I understand that Colin Goldie could toggle the construction of the instrument to accomodate that particular need…but I really have no idea how long that would take, etc. Any experience with it?

SO…how are the Harpers? the Overtons? Any help on this would be most appreciated. Thank you so much, and my apologies for the length.

Pat

2

I can’t comment on either Harpers or Overton (where’s Bloomfield when you need him anyway?), but I think any whistle other than, maybe, a Shaw, will take less air than a Clarke.

Sonja

3

make sure you can play the upper register smoothly on the Harper, especilly high A and B. I tried em at Lark In the Morning and didn’t like em at all in the second octave. But its been awhile and maybe the instrument is different now.

4

Pat,
The Harper soprano d (non-tunable) I have is loud and takes much more wind than even my overton Mezzo-a. If you’re looking for a sweet sound, tunable, in your price range you might want to consider a Burke. I have a narrow bore composite I’ve been playing for over a year. It is sweet and very much in tune. It take very little breath and is moderately quite. I just ordered a Burke Session Bore Composite that will be louder but the same design. The Black composite really does look like a fine black wood, much more than the PVC’s that are black (I have serveral Dixon tunables that I still play) The Overton would also be a good choice, but I don’t think Colin makes a tunable version in Soprano D. I have three of his (Overton) low whistles and love the sound. The have something that is called back pressure that take more force in the air stream but not more air. For me it was a close call between getting another Burke or another Overton, I like them both, but in a high whistle, I am looking for a clearer tone.

Hope this helps you …

5

Fencer,

I have two suggestions for you:

1-The Elfsong Soprano D: http://www.elfsongwhistles.com/
2-The Alba Q1: http://www.bigwhistle.co.uk/shop_results.asp?search=2&maker=25&highlow=3&key=11&tunable=2&cat=*

Both sound pure, have reasonable air requirements (particularly the Alba) and are significantly cheaper than Harper or Overton.

Good luck.

6

I second the elfsong. I have a high D and it sounds beautiful and is easy to play.

7

I third the Elfsong, but also would highly recommend the Burke Brass Session w Black Tip; readily available, $130 including shipping and tax, and seems to fit your parameters.

PhilO

8

If you want something pure sounding, I don’t think you want an Overton. I love the sound of Overtons and have them in most keys but, if you want something pure, pick something else.

I have a lot of pure sounding whistles, most of them wooden so a bit outside your price range. For a pure sounding whistle well within your range, Burke wins hands down. Elfsongs are nice but not nearly as responsive and nowhere near as easy to play. I’d really like to ask all those people who’ve recommended Elfsongs why they prefer them to Burkes. They never seem to make comparative judgements that convince me that they have actually played a Burke seriously. Don’t get me wrong, I like my Elfsong but, for what you specify, Burke fits the bill perfectly.

Now, would somebody please tell us why a Burke wouldn’t be the best bet given the stated desired features and the specified price range?

9

Wombat’s right again. :slight_smile:

Jef

10

Simple: I don’t own a Burke, nor have I ever played one. So, you may be 100% right about a Burke fitting this particular bill. :slight_smile: I just recommended two I do own and am familiar with.

PT

11

Lee- Thank you- it looks like the Harper’s not quite what I’m looking for. If it takes that much wind, it’s out.

pthouron- I took a look at the elfsong- I know I’m foolish and perhaps superficial, but I didn’t like the look of them. I really like the solid aluminum models: I’m after a sturdy, solid aluminum whistle. That’s part of the initial attraction to the Overtons and Harpers: they’re such cleanly crafted works of art. The Albas, accordingly, I liked a lot: but I’ve heard they’re breathier than most. Is this so? I came across the Soprano D “Parlour” model: it has a narrow bore which should keep the requisite air to a minimum and volume moderate. Any experience with it? Thank you!

Wombat: perhaps I should make myself clear. I’m not looking for a dearth of harmonic interference, or an imitation of a recorder, but what I do want is something noticeably less harsh than the Clarke. I heard a recording of Flook (flatfish) playing on Overtons: I liked what I heard.
The notion of a plastic tip on the Burke Alum Pro doesn’t appeal much to me: again, I apologize for being slightly foolish in this regard. I know it must be frustrating. Is there a way I could hear the two whistles (the Burke narrow Alum Pro and the Overton) compared? Also (again, I show my fault) does anyone know where I could find a decent detail of a Burke?

I’m really impressed with the responses: everyone’s so eager to help me. You seem to be a very welcoming bunch: thank you all.

12

Lee- Thank you- it looks like the Harper’s not quite what I’m looking for. If it takes that much wind, it’s out.

pthouron- I took a look at the elfsong- I know I’m foolish and perhaps superficial, but I didn’t like the look of them. I really like the solid aluminum models: I’m after a sturdy, solid aluminum whistle. That’s part of the initial attraction to the Overtons and Harpers: they’re such cleanly crafted works of art. The Albas, accordingly, I liked a lot: but I’ve heard they’re breathier than most. Is this so? I came across the Soprano D “Parlour” model: it has a narrow bore which should keep the requisite air to a minimum and volume moderate. Any experience with it? Thank you!

Wombat: perhaps I should make myself clear. I’m not looking for a dearth of harmonic interference, or an imitation of a recorder, but what I do want is something noticeably less harsh than the Clarke. I heard a recording of Flook (flatfish) playing on Overtons: I liked what I heard.
The notion of a plastic tip on the Burke Alum Pro doesn’t appeal much to me: again, I apologize for being slightly foolish in this regard. I know it must be frustrating. Is there a way I could hear the two whistles (the Burke narrow Alum Pro and the Overton) compared? Also (again, I show my fault) does anyone know where I could find a decent detail of a Burke?

I’m really impressed with the responses: everyone’s so eager to help me. You seem to be a very welcoming bunch: thank you all.

13

Two points: First, you seem to not like a “plastic tip.” The fipple on the Burke brass session black tip is encased in and extends beyond the brass mouthpiece, thus it is noted as a “black tip.” However, it is delrin, a terrific plastic used first in whistles possibly by Michael Copeland years ago and since used by many makers for a number of reasons: looks good, is comfortable and non-toxic, endures well, and is perhaps the most resistant to clogging.

Second, you mentioned the Al-pro Burke, which IMHO is an excellent whistle; the black tip brass is better - more robust sound throughout without sacrificing any of the now classic Burke positive attributes.

In a different recent post I had stated that I’d recommend the new Burke especially for someone looking to upgrade to his/her first highender without spending what a Copeland or Abell costs.

You might really like this one; on a scale of ten, I’d give it 9.9 on both playability and tone. Also, very strong consistent volume throughout wo being loud or piercing.

Someone noted that it’s easier to play than the Elfsong - that’s like who should play center field Willie or the Mick - whistles like the Elfsong or Burke should not present any playing difficulties whatsoever - they’re both very easy to play; certainly the Burke will never get in the way of making the music.

As some will attest, I like (too) many whistles, but this one really does seem to perfectly match your stated parameters.

Enjoy whatever you play.

Regards,

PhilO

14

Lee- Thank you- it looks like the Harper’s not quite what I’m looking for. If it takes that much wind, it’s out.

pthouron- I took a look at the elfsong- I know I’m foolish and perhaps superficial, but I didn’t like the look of them. I really like the solid aluminum models: I’m after a sturdy, solid aluminum whistle. That’s part of the initial attraction to the Overtons and Harpers: they’re such cleanly crafted works of art. The Albas, accordingly, I liked a lot: but I’ve heard they’re breathier than most. Is this so? I came across the Soprano D “Parlour” model: it has a narrow bore which should keep the requisite air to a minimum and volume moderate. Any experience with it? Thank you!

Wombat: perhaps I should make myself clear. I’m not looking for a dearth of harmonic interference, or an imitation of a recorder, but what I do want is something noticeably less harsh than the Clarke. I heard a recording of Flook (flatfish) playing on Overtons: I liked what I heard.
The notion of a plastic tip on the Burke Alum Pro doesn’t appeal much to me: again, I apologize for being slightly foolish in this regard. I know it must be frustrating. Is there a way I could hear the two whistles (the Burke narrow Alum Pro and the Overton) compared? Also (again, I show my fault) does anyone know where I could find a decent detail of a Burke?

I’m really impressed with the responses: everyone’s so eager to help me. You seem to be a very welcoming bunch: thank you all.

15

I also agree with Elfsong.

16

I actually have both a Harper non tunable D and a Burke, as well as a copeland. I am not a great player, nor am I an expert on trad music. The Harper has a very disticintive sounds…and is quite beautiful. Many dont like the thick blade but I find it very comfortable and like a substancial whistle. I love the sound of my burke also…its a brass wide bore…but it is quite bad about clogging, so much so that at times it is unplayable. The more I play the more I come back to my Harper. Its is my most predictable instrument and is not bad regarding air usage. Unfortunatly I have many years of being a rather heavy smoker, and can not handle the air requirements of many of the instruments. The harper doesn’t have what I believe to be referred to as back pressure, but is a comfortable blow, nicely balanced weight, and a bit disticintive. I love all my whistles, but…well…its probably my favorite.

17

Re: Elfsongs, you can get them in plain copper and other styles, you just have to ask Sandy. You don’t have to have all the glitz if you don’t like it.

18

Just to clarify a bit more: The Overton requires very very little air, less than practically every (hi D) whistle I’ve played. BUT you have to push the air through the windway with more force than most whistles (backpressure). If you were any good at the clarinet, the back pressure won’t be an issue. And Colin can make easy-blow variety that offers less resistance and requires a bit more air.

19

Any reason no one has mentioned the ALBA whistles yet? My wife loves her high D best of all she has tried, including the Overton High D we borrowed from a VERY generous CFer a few weeks ago.

20

Somebody did mention alba whistles.