Anyone have any experience with these makers who can offer feedback on their respective whistles, including comparison one to the other?
Thanks.
Philo
Hello Phil:
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I just got in from the Blarney Star. There was a great young group there (“East Along the Road”), and saw your query.
I have an O’Briain ‘D’ which I think is the best ‘generic’ (plastic top, metal body) “D” whistle I have ever played. It compares very favorably with a few of my (price-wise) mid-range whistles. For some tunes, it is flat out the best match, though I could not readily explain that. Come on over any Tuesday night and try it out!! I’m looking for some folks who might be interested in working on O’Carolan tunes together.
Again, Best wishes on your Birthday,
Tom D.
Happy birthday, Philo!
A regular of our Mesquer monthly session plays an Ian Lambe Low D.
Looks really clean, and shiny. Slick design of the tuning slide. Really professional-looking manufacturing, I’d say. Slippery, too (I prefer rough, satin finish).
Sounds sweeter than Overtons, though not pure. Moderate volume, could do better for a solid low end.
Less back pressure than Overton or Kerry/Chieftain.
All in all, didn’t tickle my WhOA…
Thanks guys. Tom - I was upset I was unable to make it for Joannie Madden at the Blarney Star on Jan. 3, but will keep future shows in mind. Really the only great opportunity I know of in the area for that type of music (unless we just barge in on Bill Ochs).
Two questions. One, am I misunderstanding or are you saying that the O’Briain has a plastic headjoint or fipple? I thought they were all aluminum somewhat like the Overtons.
Second, what tunes are you working on (you probably already put that in the other thread and I’ll check it again)? I’ll take a look at what I have.
Zub - Sounds like, IYHO, the Lambe is beautiful to look at and well made, but perhaps a bit short on that cosmic drainpipe low end sound?
Since I have Copeland and O’Riordan Low Ds, I’m definitely not looking for anything else in that key; I was thinking maybe a Low F or E.
Any opinions re Burke composites here?
I’ve been curious because obviously I’ve been checking out Blayne’s interesting new site (now a bookmarked favorite)and noted these makers yet haven’t heard much about them on the Board. I for one like whistles with some good volume and a real strong low end, esp. in lower keys.
Thanks for feedback guys.
Regards,
Philo
Philo,
He’s talking about the Ó Briain Improved, which has a plastic head, and is in high D.
I’ve got an Ó Briain low D which is great and about which I rave all the time, so you probably don’t need to hear it again. And I think my comments are on Blayne’s site.
As for Burkes, I have an AlPro low F. I think his aluminum stuff has the edge in this range. Very nice! And a unique design: an aluminum whistle with both a tuning slide AND a break-down joint (so you don’t have to mess with the tuning to take it apart) . . . and a Delrin-lined windway. Meaning, the fipple is big, and the windway is cut out of it, so the whole thing is Delrin.
Neato.
Stuart
Blayne at whistleanddrum.com has dealt with both of these guys. I know that he thinks very highly of the Eugene Lamb low whistles.
I’ve got three Burke AlPros, one brass, and two composites. I consider the D WBB and the low-E composite among the finest whistles I’ve ever played. In general, the composites are warmer and mellower sounding than the metal whistles, and much less pure than the Al. I may bite the next time a composite D is advertised here.
Another thing is, the composites are incredibly light and very comfortable on the fingers – the holes have a smooth feel to them not unlike Silkstones.
PhilO wrote :
Zub - Sounds like, IYHO, the Lambe is beautiful to look at and well made, but perhaps a bit short on that cosmic drainpipe low end sound?
You summarized quite well my VHO 
Yes, I was referring to the plain vanilla ‘D’ whistle, not the low whistle.
Tom D.
Zub - VHO? Vainglorious, hyperbolic, oaf; vengeful hypocritical oppressor; very humble oldster; vacuous hippy outcast? None of the above?
Philo
Two days ago, a friend of mine just received a non-tunable “Low G” made by Cillian O’Briain and asked me to try it out for her. Of course, the whistle is made from an aluminum alloy and is simple in design(not flashy). It is sturdy making it equally good for self-defense during bar fights. Its sound quality is excellent, perfectly pitched through the octaves, and can produce solid volume. Owning O’Riordans and Copelands, myself, I was impressed. This is a professional grade instrument made by a great professional player. My friend purchased her whistle from Blain at http://www.whistleanddrum.com/main.html
The web site has sound samples, and you’ll find several O’Briains in different keys in stock.
Cillian O’Briain is also known for taking Feadogs and improving them for better quality and pitch.