Greetings,
I would like to learn to play the Low Whistle, and was hoping you all could recommend a good one to purchase. i read the articles and reviews, but being new to this, I thought I would just ask for opinions. I know the LW’s aren’t cheap, and that’s ok, but I don’t want to pay $300 to find out if this is something I am going to stick with. Any help would be most appreciated.
Slante.
On 2001-07-02 09:05, Daithi wrote:
Greetings,
I would like to learn to play the Low Whistle, and was hoping you all could recommend a good one to purchase. i read the articles and reviews, but being new to this, I thought I would just ask for opinions. I know the LW’s aren’t cheap, and that’s ok, but I don’t want to pay $300 to find out if this is something I am going to stick with. Any help would be most appreciated.
I’d personally go for any of the Susatos. They’re all under $100. However, you can also check out the Whistle Shop (www.thewhistleshop.com) for some excellent starter packages - including low whistle starter sets.
Good Luck
Frank
The same question (and financial parameters) took me to Tony Dixon, and I entered the World of Low Whistles with his polymer Low Pro D - tunable and you can get a flute head attachment as well. The whistle itself ran me about L45 (then $75US), but the dollar is stronger now against the pound.
The fingering is not an awkward stretch for me (my fingers are average - neither short nor long), the sound is on the breathy, flute-y side - divinely mellow and luscious. I adore it! And it has been getting favourable reviews here and in the newsletter.
Tony has an approachable philosophy: quality instruments at a price to encourage those taking the leap to the lows. I think it is a super instrument to start with (and, frankly, stick with).
Best of luck on the journey
FE
If you want to learn the Low whistle and NOT get discouraged right off the bat, DO NOT buy a Susato!!!
Tony Dixon is a much better choice. I’ve been playing Lows for almost two years now, and can play just about any one I get my hands on…except Susatos! They tend to have a weird hole placement, and shape that makes them extremely difficult to get a good seal on the holes.
You may also want to look into a Michael Burke composite, EZ or Pro model. The nice thing with a Burke, or even a Dixon, is that if you don’t want to pursue them further, you can sell them pretty easily.
Brian~
I agree with Brian on this; Skip the Susato and go with the Tony Dixon Low D. Many people on this list have started on the Dixon and have been quite happy. On the other hand, we’ve hade more complaints about the Susato Low D than any other whistle I can remember. Lot’s of folks have posted messages stating they bought a Susato low D to start and got very discouraged very quickly. Feedback on the Dixon seems to be just the opposite.
Now Susato makes some fine whistles, depending on the sound you like, but the Low D and the old narrow bore A are exceptions. Perhaps if the folks at Susato (I know you’re out there) would consider making some changes to their Low D, to make it easier to play, they could bring it up to snuff with the rest of their line. I’m sure they’d sell a lot more of them that way…
Good luck with your search and let us know how it goes:)
Loren
Another vote for the Dixon low D: This is by far the easiest low whistle I’ve ever tried, with both finger stretch and air requirements being easier than any other I’ve seen. The sound is nice, if not as complex as that of more expensive low Ds, and the instrument is even cheap!
No doubt in my mind… 
Jens
The only reason I couldn’t recommend the Dixon Low D is because I personally haven’t played it. However, if Tony Dixon’s low D is anything like his Soprano D, I would say that it would probably be the best money you could spend.
I honestly haven’t had any problem with the Susato low D; however, as I’ve mentioned in the past, I’ve got fat fingers
I’ll probably be buying a Dixon low D “duo” within the next month, and if it’s anything like the soprano, I’m sure it’ll turn out to be a favorite.
Well, that’s it then, I went with the Dixon and ordered it from the Whistle Shop. Thanks to all of you for your vey insightful and thoughtful replies!
Slante.
Anyone have thoughts on Phil Hardy’s Kerry D as a starter Low whistle?
Steve Power
Does the Susato have a narrow bore compared to the Dixon low D? This relates to my pinkie grip problem, from my other thread. I know what your thinking, I JUST started on the Low D, and I’m already looking at another one! Who do you think you are, my mother?
Steve, I just had a Chieftain tunable Low D “Kolor” from Phil Hardy yesterday. This is my first Low D. It is quite easy to play, my fingers are still searching for the best position, but I can already play little tunes after a few hours of practicing. The sound is full and warm, very lovely. Besides, it looks great, it’s a real beauty - it’s just a joy for me to look at it. I did never try a Kerry, but the Chieftain is an easy player (and I have small hands).
I’ll look at the Kolor’s Claudine. They’ll look nice next to my O’Briain’s (which are getting excellent reviews, btw). Shameless plug, I know, but they REALLY are!
Steve
Steve, I’m sure I will try the O’Brian’s this summer in Adare 
See you soon
Hey Steve,
My first whistle was a Chieftain tuneable from Mr. Hardy, and I recieved a Kerry (the plastic headjoint type) a while back as well. They are indeed playable as others have mentioned. However…I have found that they both collect moisture from your breath at a furious rate, and that personally, I don’t like the tone in these whistles nearly as much as say a Dixon or Burke.
Now, in all fairness, Mr. Hardy has offered to re-voice them for me, however, at the cost and time involved to send them overseas to have this done, it hasn’t been high on my “to do” list.
Bri~
check out mack hoover he has some good handmade whistles resonably priced i have a high d brass from him im really happy with his brass low g goes for about 90 bucks
greg, check out the date of the posts