Hi Folks,
One of these whistles is calling my name, and I would appreciate any help in locating one. You know how it is, you hear a particular tone of an instrument that just grabs you. That’s how it all started with whistles for me. The song of the sirens, I guess.
So if you have one that you aren’t using, or would like something different, email me, please. Thank you very much!
PS This is what I have to trade if you are interested, one or all, or none!
Kerry Low D
Shaw Low D Jerry Freeman tweaked
Howard old style brass Low D
Susato Low D one piece(formerly owned by Jerry Freeman)
PSS About the OVERTON Low D-See my second post BELOW! Thanks!
I had one of these whistles for a short time. I did not like how much air it took to play it and the mouthpiece did not feel great in my mouth. It was kinda large and squarish.
BTW, he has discontinued making the whistles in preference to pipes.
Now I’ve got a hard road to travel! I just got an email from a friend, that tells me what kind of whistle Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh(now of Danu fame) played on Barry Phillips CD ‘Cello’. This was the first time I really noticed the low whistle, and it sang to me-my first siren call.
I heard Muireann had some affiliation with Cillian, and judging by the sound I heard on Shanna Quays website of a clip of Paddy Keenan playing ‘Mary Bravender’, I was set to believe that it may be THE whistle played by Muireann. Even if it wasn’t, I loved the sound!
So now the answer I had long been seeking was sitting in my mailbox this morning. Guess what whistle it was? It was an Overton Low D, tweaked by Cillian!
So, that is a twist I hadn’t expected. And it also brings me to a fork in the road. Ahh, which way do I take in the lovely road? We shall see!
Hi Berti,
I don’t know! Maybe when they don’t have the sound you are looking for? All I know is, whatever Cillian did to it, was worth the sound coming out of it!
I’m sure that any whistle can have a problem, if your ear is good enough to hear it. I can’t say I make that list on whistle yet!
If the Overton was made by Colin Goldie, you can specify a voicing from him when you order it. If you can give him a sound sample or otherwise, relay what it is you want, there’s a good chance he can do it for you.
Tony
greenspiderweb, have you done any duet stuff, unison or harmony, with whistle and your Weissenborn lap guitar. I’ve wondered how slide guitar and whistle might sound together. Love the tone of some of those Weissenborgs - always looking for one in my peripheral vision.
Hey, thank you Tony, that is a good point! It’s great to be able to ask for a sound, and get it!
I will definitely keep it in mind, as it is a very good possibility that would be the way to go. It depends where my money goes first, and then I will have to see what comes out of that, to get to where I want to BE!
JP: I play slide guitar-a converted 12 fret dreadnought, and dobro, but I too am on the lookout for a Weissenborn in my future! It’s a soulful instrument too! Never have played whistle along with myself on slide, but I imagine it would be a good combo. Whistle sounds good with so many other instruments. When I heard the low whistle and cello, I thought that was awesome! And since have heard it with others that sound great too.
Hi Folks,
Well, It looks like I found a non-tuneable Cillian O Briain Low D at WhistleandDrum.com, they still had some listed on their webpages, but their selection is sparse, but at least they have some left.
IF ANYONE HAS A TUNEABLE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SELL, let me know. If I like his whistle, I may want to get a tuneable one too.
Here is what Blayne(Chiff member and owner) told me WhistleandDrum.com have left if anyone is interested:
2 C/D Tunable Sets
1 Low D Non Tunable
1 Low F Non Tunable
1 Low Eb Non Tunable
1 Low G Non Tunable
Thanks, good folks for looking out for me, it’s always appreciated!
greenspiderweb- First off yup I’m the one that bought the Cillian O’ Briain of the board. You asked me why so here it is. I wanted a unique sound, I love the overton sound and planned to get one, but a deal fell through. And the O’ Briain came up for sale, It had mixed reviews but the price was right and I liked what I heard on some clips. I’m glad it worked out like this to.
Cillian O’ Briain Low D Tunable
First off I open the package this is a used whistle so it has a few small scratches ( Who Cares). The build is very solid, the body of the whistle that slides into the tuning slide/mouthpiece has a very nice setup with
cork opposed to metal on metal or o ring. The mouthpiece that some people have had mixed feelings about was no issue to me. Air requirements- Let me just say I had no problem, But my first instrument was trumpet, And I love clarkes. So that is a area where I can’t fairly express what a average non-horn player would feel. The first thing not a drawback for me but may effect others the 6th hole is a reach nuff said. OXXOOO is PERFECT. This whistle shifts through octaves like a sports car.
I have found that it takes some pressure to get the whistle going but once up it is ready to go. ( Hope you can make some sense of that.) The only trouble I have had is the OXXXXX and XXXXXO in the high range, But it is just a matter of getting that sweet spot I figure. The original owner may never of had this, just compared to other whistle I have had that is the area that I must learn for this whistle.
After just a day of playing I would not think twice to buy it again. I am in love with this whistle, But will tell you this from playing this whistle and reading every post I could find on it, You love it or you dont. Like I think Philo said he could never part with his, and when people talk about one he gets drawn to play one. It is not a copeland or a overton, It is its own.
Sorry to give you the wrong impression, Turkeyman-the answer to my question was in my email mailbox, not my snailmailbox.
I found out that Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh plays the Cillian tweaked Overton.
I’d rather have the whistle, but finding out the answer makes me happy too!
since when do overtons need tweaking??