Hi all. New guy here. Anyways, I’m soon gonna be buying a low whistle, and need some opinion:
Its either the Susato Kildare Low D, or Dixon Low D.
The Dixon’s price is lower, while Susato’s is, well, higher. Both within my price range.
So maybe, a comparison between the Kildare and the Dixon? Any particular perks for small hands?
[ This Message was edited by: Caoimhin on 2002-07-02 04:00 ]
This one’s been discussed before (search the old threads for all feedback), but in a nutshell comments seem to suggest the Dixon by 90% of comments. I would agree entirely, the Dixon whistles are excellent and while the Susato high D is useful, the low D has several drawbacks.
I just acquired a Dixon Low D and I am pretty happy with my decision. Like you, cost was a big factor. I did search the archives and the Dixon came up huge as a beginner low whistle. Although I can’t compare it with other low whistles, after 2 days of wrangling with it (my inexperience not the whistle), I am getting good sounds fairly easily.
Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon, Dixon.
Did I mention, you should get a Dixon? 
My first low D was a Dixon. It was easy to play and had a nice tone.
When your ship comes in you may want to try something with a little more volume. Otherwise a wonderful whistle.
Doc
The Dixon low D has very low breath requirements and relatively friendly hole size and placement, even for smaller hands. I would still use the piper’s grip, though. It also has a wonderful tonal quality and plays easily in both registers. I won’t part with mine, even after getting my long-awaited Overton. Ian
Thanks for the advice. I am now getting the Dixon Low D…
Good Choice!
The only Low D I have is also a Dixon, and I’m very happy with it.
I have a Low F Overton, which needs warming before play, but has a wonderful tone too.
I’m considering a Low D Howard or Overton when I can justify spending more on low whistles, but I’d don’t really need either - the Dixon is great and I’ll never part with it. Being polmer, it is playable from the off, useful for those of us who like to rip off a quick tune during the advert breaks on TV.
Cao, have you played any high whistles before? Because if you’re buying your very first whistle, Low D is a bad place to start.
In the light of all I’ve read on this and other recent threads, and the reviews on the home page, I’ve just ordered a Dixon from Steve@shannaquay. Watch this space.
BTW, “piper’s grip” is a relative term, because in spite of years of piping, the last time I tried a low whistle I found it extremely uncomfortable and couldn’t get a sound out of it. So the comments about a Dixon being particularly good choice as a first low whistle clinched the argument.
Besides, if I really do make a go of it, this way I’ll have an excuse for contemplating spending even more munzo on a more up-market model in a couple of years’ time. Wh/////////****<<<<<<<<“”"#######>>>>>>>\\
Remarkably, my low Dixon D arrived in the post this morning. I take back all I said about the Belgian postal service, and compliment Steve on his clear labelling which left them with no excuse for losing it (ah, see, the bitterness is still there).
Anyway, while I was stuffing my face with breakfast cereal, my devoted wife undid the wrapping and I had a ten-second tootle.
REMARKABLE!
Instant music, and no problem using a normal whistle grip.
Off home now to knock some proper music out of it, but already I can join my voice to the chorus of those who recommend it, particularly as an introduction to the wonderful world of the low whistle. I suspect that even a total beginner who had no experience of soprano whistles would have no real difficulty with it.
Brief update:
After remembering that the said devoted wife is my alibi for buying a low whistle since she once said she liked the sound of it (note regression to WhOA denial stage), I thought I’d better pay my dues and ended up gardening till nightfall last night, so couldn’t make too much noise with the new toy when I finally got my hands on it again.
First impressions are confirmed. Very easy to blow, no problem with finger stretching. As I progressed from random tootling and slow pieces to a few dance tunes, I began to feel that, although standard whistle grip would be possible (and possibly even the unthinkable Mary Bergin fingering), it’s probably easier to cover the holes accurately using something approximating to the piper’s grip, particularly for the lower hand.