Hello,
I would like to buy a Low D, but I hesitate.
I already play a Dixon (no tunable), it a good and easy whistle but I would like a new one.
Which are the best Low D???
Alba, Howard, Overton, Chieftain,…
Thanks for your answer,
Stefpat, Switzerland
:roll:
Best is a relative term, but I love my Burke Composite EZ model. The finger reach is indeed relatively easy, and the weight, unlike many low D whistles, is VERY light.
Oooh! Just passed the 1000 post mark!
From the spelling of your nick, I reckon you’re dwelling East of the Rösti border 
Not that whistles would be better available in Romandy in your rcordrs Federation…
To answer your question, there’s no such thing as an absolute best low whistle.
All those your quoted are more than just good.
It’s a matter of taste: some like them breathy, others “pure”;
some prefer a strooong low end (bell tone), others an easy top upper octave;
some prefer the sound of wood, but often it’s a matter of tactile feel…
Finally, all of us here will give you opposite opinions…
Maybe you should reformulate your question, specifying your musical experience, musical tastes, what you would hear or feel improved comared to your Dixon’s, etc.
Happy Jubilee (sorry, Daniel, I’ll reformulate…)
Happy Kilopost, you whistlemaster and rcordr-meister!
wilkommen zum board stefpat 
i agree with paul on the low D EZ composite, bang in tune like a swiss watch and you don’t have blow harder to reach a high note, balanced across the octaves. the whistle has a rich compelx tone and is very sweat. i don’t buy any other whistles then burkes. http://www.burkewhistles.com/index2.htm but that’s just a small bit of all that matters in buying a whistle
-first you can find out wich sound you like in http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/index.htm download the samples and listen to them over and over again.
when you’ve picked the whistles you like, then listen to them over and over again, maybe in a repeat mode for 15 minutes on every sample.
in a relaxed mind, you could read a book or so while there playing. look into what mood these whistles bring you in.
-when you’ve picked a few sounds, then find out on the board about backpressure whistles and non-back pressure whistles(you’ll have to lean in with your breath), balance across the octaves,…
-when you’re not aboslutely sure, then first buy the whistles with the 30 days money back guarantee, you’ll only loose the postage money.
Although I’m also a Burke fan in general, for low D I’m something of a traditionalist. In other words, I don’t think you can beat Copelands and Overtons. They are both sensational whistles, if forced to choose I’d go today for a Copeland low D but Overton in other keys, but tomorrow my opinion might have changed.
Congratulations on passing 1k, Paul. I now have photos of the Jerry Lee special, alone and with his wooden friends from the Abell and Grinter families. I’ll send you prints as well as post on board soon.
Many personal variables to consider - sound that you like, materials, size of your hands, breathing ability, how much you’re willing to spend, etc.
My personal choice for tone and playability is only one - Copeland. However, it is also the most expensive. Also, I’ve not played a Burke composite Low D, so can’t comment at all on Paul’s suggestion, though it does sound good.
Philo
I’m an old fan of Overtons. However, the problem that I found with them, when trying out the Low D, is that my fingers are too skinny. So if you have skinny fingers by any chance, you might want to get one custom made with smaller holes. Or… Shaw makes really nice low D whistles with small holes. They’re an easy one to transition to when you’re used to playing high D’s.
Copeland Whistle is too expensive for me.
if you like the copeland above all others, save up some money, you’ll end up as a collector of low D’s otherwise. but listen to ALL samples first.
But expensive about 200$
If you’re looking for something relatively cheap but still very good, you might consider a Howard. Howards are affordable but have something of that Overton sound about them—lots of nice overtones. I have a Howard low C and I’m quite satisfied with it; I don’t feel the need to rush out and buy something better.
Thank you for your answer.
I think a Howard Low D is good choice and it’s not to expensive (100$ in England)
Did you already play an Alba Low Whistle?
I have been playing a Howard low D for a while now, it is easy play and has a great sound!
I have some clogging problems, but a new head is on the way from Howard which hopefully will help…
I like the Howard Low C, IMHO superior to the same in D.
However, I have a wide bore Alba Low C which is impressive, not only IMO but of others, way better players, who had the opportunity to play it at Mesquer’s LA Session last festival.
The sound of recent Alba Low D remains breathier than the Howard, but fuller too, esp. on very low end; wind requirements are similar. You may call the sound “woody” for a metal whistle.
Also Alba tend to have one of the easiest fingerings for a Low D.
Finally, at an equivalent price to the Howard, you also get a hand-made instrument with a clearly superior finish.
I’m a big fan of my howard, it’ll get me through until I save up enough for a copeland, even then I’ll probably still play it when I want something chiffy
In fact, - for two more days - you can make a $10 raffle purchase/donation to serpents friend and buy a serpent low d whistle at 1/2 price. I know, you have NO IDEA what I’m talking about… hehehe.
Has Mr.Copeland ever made a low d in nickle? All i’ve seen are brass and sterling.
Do the Burke ez’s come in 3 pc., or only 2?
I don’t like Howards. The sound to me is too weak. Very quiet, and difficult to switch between octaves cleanly.
I tried one, and a person at the local session has one. But they could both have been “old” ones…
Low D recapitulation:
Do you agree with me? is it correct?
Burke Composite EZ model
Price: expensive
Sound: pure, clear and strong
Wind requirement: normal
Switch Octave: easy
Fingering: very easy
Aspect: hand made/superior finish (plastic)
Weight: very light
Copeland
Price: most expensive
Sound: pure, clear and strong
Wind requirement: normal
Switch Octave: easy
Fingering: very easy
Aspect: hand made/highest finish
Weight: heavy
Overton
Price: expensive
Sound: pure, clear and strong
Wind requirement: normal
Switch Octave: easy
Fingering: very easy
Aspect: hand made/superior finish (alu)
Weight: not to heavy
Chieftains
Price: expensive
Sound: pure, clear and strong
Wind requirement: normal
Switch Octave: easy
Fingering: very easy
Aspect: hand made/superior finish (alu)
Weight: not to heavy
Howard
Price: not expensive
Sound: clear but not strong
Wind requirement: normal
Switch Octave: not easy
Fingering: not easy with big holes
Aspect: industrial (painted brass)
Weight: heavy
Alba
Price: not expensive
Sound: woody, pure, clear and strong
Wind requirement: normal
Switch Octave: easy
Fingering: very easy
Aspect: hand made/highest finish (polished alu)
Weight: not to heavy
Shaw
Price: not expensive
Sound: woody, clear but not strong
Wind requirement: a lot
Switch Octave: not easy
Fingering: very easy, small holes
Aspect: industrial (bend iron, nickel)
Weight: very heavy
Dixon
Price: very cheap
Sound: clear and but not strong
Wind requirement: not much
Switch Octave: easy
Fingering: very easy, small holes
Aspect: industrial (black plastic)
Weight: very light
Susato
Price: cheap
Sound: clear and not strong
Wind requirement: not much
Switch Octave: easy
Fingering: easy
Aspect: industrial (black plastic)
Weight: light
Do you agree with me? is it correct?
Thanks, Stefpat