I’ve been on the lookout for a high end session whistle for a while and not having a lot of luck, so I thought I’d find out what others think about it.
I’m after a high end session whistle with the following traits, (or as much of a balance of these traits as is possible in a whistle):
Doesn’t clog too much, (Nothing worse than having to stop mid tune to blow out the excess)
Metal or non wooden construction (I live in a very high humidity / temperature variant climate, which is deathly for wooden whistles)
low to medium backpressure,
Lower octave can take a solid breath (ie. Doesn’t flip to higher octave straight away)
Top A & B notes on the whistle don’t require herculean amounts of breath to sustain,
Rich, full tone, with low to medium chiff.
Most whistles seem to have a basket of these traits, so I was wondering how regular players of the high end whistles find these traits in their whistles and whether anything you have played goes close to matching my wish list.
Copeland if you can find one, if you cant (though they have a very different quality) I’d recommend any of the Burkes. I’ve recently acquired a couple of Hans Bracker’s altos, and if his soprano d whistles are as good as the F and G ones I have, then he’s your man. Discussion of his whistles here https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/new-hans-bracker-whistles/70452/4
My choices - in addition to those already mentioned - would be an easy to medium blower Goldie - or a Dymondwood (composite) Busman. No matter what brand you choose, ensure you get what you wish, by communicating your needs to the maker, him - or her - self.
In addition to those already listed, Harper Classic if you can find one. The only metal whistle I’ve played with dead-on intonation and accuracy whether it’s warmed up or not. Plays in tune stone cold or warmed up…makes no difference. Must be the gunmetal. Fantastic, unique whistles that easily hold their own in session.
As MT Guru pointed out, you’ve described a Generation in nickel or brass. Particularly after Jerry Freeman has tweaked it. I would also allow for his Mellow Dog if you want a little more solid bottom and a little more volume. Then there is a Burke. I prefer brass over aluminum but it’s a personal preference. The composite gives you a little less brightness but is a great whistle as well.
What does high end really mean? If you’re just looking to spend money, you’ve had some really great brands thrown out. If you are looking for a great whistle, you don’t need to spend that much though.
Just my humble opinion and I’ve got a terminal case of WHOA that has no price limit unfortunately.
Wow Michael your photo is just about as ugly as mine! I didn’t think it was possible.
About the Burkes, maybe the sweetest-playing would be a brass narrow/regular bore, and the loudest the aluminum session bore. The session bore is going to take more of a blow for those higher notes.
If you don’t need the extra volume you might want to at least try the Burke brass regular/narrow bore. It plays, some might say, much like the best old Generations do. Or you could do what we had to do in the old days and begin a Holy Quest for the best Generation D you can find, then tweak as necessary. (There weren’t any other D whistles then.)
I’ve had a look at all the whistles suggested on-line as much as one can. I’d have to say the Reyburn is my favourite tone/sound from the available sound clips, but it is always tricky with random internet sound clips and a variety of players producing them.
Given that I’m about 1000 kilometres from the nearest decent whistle store and try before you buy isn’t available, I’ve bought myself a Jerry Freeman Blackbird to help me be more patient and not jumping straight into the high end without trying any.
This little black tweeter produces such a beautiful sound, it has help take some urgency out of the session whistle search.
First play of the blackbird - not overly fussed, a little dissappointed
Second Play of the blackbird - starting to like it/understanding it
Third Play of the blackbird - sweet and full tone, great ability to affect expression with breath control, among other things and I had to pull myself away at 2 hours.
If anyone has any other thoughts to share on the high end session whistles, that would be great. Your opinions and experiences are much appreciated.
I just spent a week at tin whistle workshops. There were actually only two of us in the workshop, so it was more like lessons.
The other student played an older Burke aluminum in class. The instructor played a Mellow Dog. The Mellow Dog played pretty much the same. It was about the same volume, they played in tune together, etc. They had a similar tone as well. Listening to the recordings I can only distinguish one from the other based on location.
On the last day of class we compared a variety of instruments. The other student also had a brass Burke that was, from appearances, identical to the aluminum (excepting the color), but the brass was a good bit louder and harsher.
The instructor had a Blackbird that was notably softer and sweeter than any other whistle. He had a Copeland too. It was easily louder than any of the others. Shockingly loud.
I just bought Mellow Dog, which seems like a great whistle for the money (especially for the D/C set).
