I’m interested in opinions here. I would like a high D that has a reasonable bottom D, not too sensitive but that has a wonderful second octave up the the third D . . . and for under £100, preferably tunable too. What are people’s thoughts?
Dixon trad. If you’d like to pay more, then I’d be very happy to sell you one at an inflated price. 
You know, making a whistle is all about the compromise between a good sounding high part and a strong lower end. It’s a balancing act.
I have had whistles with a lovely sweet upper end and whistles with a very solid lower end. If you have the one, the other has necessarily to give a bit. And top d’', well that’s never going to be other than something you’d rather avoid.
You’d expect the more expensive whistles to address these things but unfortunately that is quite often not the case. YMMV according to your needs, purposes and experience ofcourse.
I noticed you got a Cillian modified one. That should do the job nicely.
Thanks for the comments. Dixon Trad? I didn’t know that have a good upper end. No, Mr Gumby, I didn’t go for the O’Briain in the end. I decided I would have found it a little too trad for me. Yes, I do understand the balancing act which is why I suggested I didn’t want a bottom D that was too sensitive.
Works for me.
I would have found it a little too trad for me. Yes, I do understand the balancing act which is why I suggested I didn’t want a bottom D that was too sensitive.
Well, there you have the problem with looking for recommendations here. Only you can sum up the things you require for the music you want to play (and your skills level).
I have made the mistake two or three times of buying whistles that were widely recommended on the forums. They were all awful (some looked nice though).
It’s a long since I have decided only to buy a whistle when I can try it for myself.
FWIW, I don’t think the Cillian O Briain D is too sensitive, it’s actually quite nice. And I don’t think you’ll get anything nicer for your €25. But there you go..
I didn’t say the O’Briain was too sensitive on the bottom end but that its sound was maybe too trad for me.
OK fair enough.
If you want a whistle that sounds like a whistle, you can hardly get better than the O’Briain. I’m not sure I understand this “too trad” thing - you want a whistle that doesn’t sound like a whistle? 
The “VSB” (very small bore) susato D has a very very nice second octave , in my opniion. I was really surprised when I got it, as it does not play or sound very much like the more common “S-bore” susato D, which I very much dislike. The V-series D is a very good whistle , though. I think the second octave on the V-series sounds fantastic.
It really was much much better than my expectations, and plays a lot more easily than I’ve found the other susatos play. Also, it has more reasonable volume in those very high notes, is very response, and.. well, not that many soprano whistles have a problem with how much air they use, but it’s worth noting that the V-series susato D uses extremely little.
I don’t even see why people buy the S-series , when the v-series exists. Two completely different things, with the former being no good in the key of D, and the latter being a very good whistle, in my opinion. It seems most people are not aware of the V-series, or think the S-series D is the standard and don’t bother with the other. Everything I dislike about the S-series is not present in the V series.
The second octave is really very great sounding and easily accessible in the highest notes.
It was far above what I expected from a susato in sound and playability, and I’d highly recommend.
Or a freeman bluebird.
I think he means he doesn’t want one that has the generation or feadog, etc. sort of sound .
My new fave is the Airgead (do an eBay search). You can check the threads here, too…
Pat
Possiblities;
Freeman Bluebird
Hoover brass trad bore, Mack can tweak the amount of chiff for you.
Based on your location, I’d urge you to reconsider the Cillian O’Brien tweaked.
Its a really good whistle at a great price.
Totally agree with Sirchronique. Susato V-Series and Freeman Bluebird are fantastic whistles.
Thanks for the thoughts guys. The sad thing is that with import duty and fees of 20% plus £9, US whistles are very expensive, a Bluebird coming out at £48. A Dixon trad would be much cheaper. Susatos I’m wary of because of their reputation for being loud and I prefer the quieter end of the spectrum but maybe the V series are quiet. Maki you could enlighten me more on the playing characteristics on of the Cillian O’Briain. Does it have a reasonably strong D but a nice and balanced second octave? Tell me as much as you can if you don’t mind. I gather that students of Kirsten who runs OAIM all go out and get an O’Briain. She herself plays a Sindt but nobody’s mentioned that.
Does it have a reasonably strong D but a nice and balanced second octave?
Again, I think they have BUT strong D and all that has some relation to breath control and skill so one man’s perfectly fine D can be another man’s trouble spot.
I’ll see if I can whip up a clipeen in a while.
I’m also intrigued by the Airgead. Is Curtis taking orders? If so how can he be contacted? I don’t see any of his whistles on eBay.
Thanks again Mr Gumby.
Airgead’s profile, email or PM.
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=19851
So much choice . . . so little time!