Yeah, I know… who isn’t? At least I know I’m in the right place!
Well, I am looking for a whistle with some certain characteristics. First and foremost, it needs to be loud. Think beautiful whistle music floating over very noisy crowd outside type loud. But not painful shrill loud. Also, something that doesn’t clog much at all, and something that isn’t nit-picky touchy about breath control. Something that plays smoothly and well clear through both octaves. I also find that I like whistles with some complexity to the sound… some chiff and a bit of character so to speak. A warmer tone and less of a reedy tone. That would be a plus. (Hopes that makes sense.) Oh, and this whistle would need to fall in the $100 or less price range. Key doesn’t paticularly matter, though as I don’t want it to be ear piercing, no key over high D would work… perhaps even a bit lower than a high D as some of the high notes on a high D can be piercing.
My first recommendation would be a Water Weasel. Plenty loud, carries well, doesn’t clog, and is very easy to play. I would describe the sound as sweet rather than warm, though. Silkstones are another possibility – I’ve only played the alloy, not the PVC – it’s powerful, not sweet like the WW, but somehow I find the sound a little bland. I would describe Sweethearts as warm, but the standard model is very unbalanced between the lower and higher notes.
The Bleazey in boxwood fits all your criteria except price. It’s a wonderful whistle and very well suited for outdoor playing.
Water Weasel, and/or something by Mack Hoover (email him and describe what you want, he can probably make it happen). But don’t think it will ever be as loud as a trumpet, for example. It’s still a whistle. Both are comfortably in your price range, BTW.
Elfsong. I don’t know if it’s loud enough for what you want, but otherwise it fits your description. Maybe borrow one and see? I have a high D, a lower key might be louder.
Sorry, I personally dont think elfsongs get louder the further down the scale you go, my A is very quiet.
Serpents Dreadnaughts are supposedly very loud, and his whistles have been described by more knowledgable members of the board as being a bit chiffy and airy, thus giving you that complexity. Ive never played one and I havent been able to find a review but it could be what your looking for.
Hmm…Overtons are really loud, and they have the complex sound you seem to be describing. Once you are accustomed to blowing hard, I don’t think it would play tricks on you. I think you could get one for just a little over $100.
If you really don’t mind going lower than D, then a Bb or A Water Weasel might work. They’re not as loud as Overtons but very nice sounding and meet most of your requirements (especially in the Bb/A range).
Last week I picked up a Susato Medium Bore Bb. It does everything you are looking for above. I know that susatos can sound like a recorder but the introduction of a medium bore and the Bb length hits on a sort of sweet spot. – This thing definately sounds like a whistle – The A I bought at the same time is has similar qualities but just a little more chiff than the Bb-- as a solo instrument the Bb is superior and at only $19.00 you really can’t go wrong.
I’d say the Water Weasel is the one to go for too. But if you’re playing in a session, you’d want the one in Soprano D. A Susato whistle would probably be heard too. But an ordinary whistle’s sound would be completely hidden in a big session.
Dublingirl
Thanks all! This is giving me some great things to think about. I’m not getting this whistle as a session/playing with others whistle per say… more like a busking whistle (is that the right term? Well, playing music on a corner or something in public, but not asking for money… that term.) So that’s why key doesn’t especially matter (and there really is a good reason why I want it louder than say… my Sindts or Clarke. Just trust me on this.)
I have really been tempted by Overton whistles. But if an accident were to befall the first Overton I buy, I would feel rather sad. A Serpent Dreadnaught might fit the bill and as I have heard many of his are so hefty that if someone tried to take my whistle or push me around I could use it to defend myself. Lots of Water Weasel reccomendations, that might well fit the bill to… as well as some other good sugguestions.
Don’t need this whistle in the immediate future, just by the first of next year sometime… so that’s good for time to think and read more about all of these whistles.
Sara
