Ugh, that’s quite a list. Of the low Ds I’ve tried I have the following comments:
Depends on what you mean with “pure” and “clear”, but I’d describe the Copeland’s tone as quite complex. Definitely strong though.
Overton
Sound: pure, clear and strong
Again, the Overton low D has perhaps the most complex and overtone-rich sound of all low whistles. Pure and clear is not the way I’d describe the sound of an Overton.
Chieftains
Sound: pure, clear and strong
Pure and clear are better terms for Chieftains, since their tone, although Overton-like, is somewhat less complex, and a bit more “pure”.
Howard
Sound: clear but not strong
Weight: heavy
The Howard I had had a very strong tone. Also, as far as I recall, it wasn’t particularly heavy compared to Overtons/Chieftains.
Brian Howard was one of the pioneers of the low whistle but has been frequently modifying and improving his design, especially his mouthpieces. A lot of criticism of Howards seems to be based on experience with instruments many years out of date.
I have a fairly recent low C which I like very much. (I believe the design has improved again since I bought mine about three years ago.) Like any low C, mine is hard to play and has big holes. When I play it again after months in it’s case, at first it sounds weak and weazy. It begins to sound full and strong throughout its range as soon as I start covering the holes properly and get a proper seal. In my case, the problems are with the player and not the instrument and resolve themselves quickly with practice.
i didn’t expect anything less from a fellow from switzerland. questions as acurate as a swiss clock, i’ll try and do the same. but if i where you i’d trust my ears and listen to samples, then there’ll be less options to choose from.
i think the low D EZ composite has a realy down to earth tone, it’s also very sweet, it also has the richest tone of all the whistles you mentioned. the plastic is a mixture of woodfiber and thermoset resin, baked on very high tempereture. this material doesn’t need any warming up. even if you put it in the deepfriezer, it’s ready to play(but hard on the lips ). i also find this whistle more woody then an alba
in contrast, every aluminium whistle needs warming up before it’s in tune.
the low D EZ aluminium is more pure then the composite and not so down to earth, more sweet and pure. the octave switch is the easyest on the burkes. you don’t have to blow harder to reach a high note either.
i think the shaw whistle is not very clear, if you like chiffie, all the better
you have to like the back pressure on the copeland(lean in with your breath), some love it, some don’t. i think the copeland is rather chiffie, not so much as the shaw.
the back pressure on the overton can be reduced if you give colin goldie a ring about this, you can also choose from narrow to wide bore and hole spacing. or have your whistle anodized in any colour.
i think the alba, next to the burke composite, has the most grounding tone and is also sweat. the octave switch is very easy, but not so easy as on the burkes. the holespacing is about the same as the dixon.
i think the susato takes a lot of wind. the holespacing is even bigger then on an alba low C
Thanks for reminding me of that, lixnaw. Well I did change my mind but not about the desirablility of getting a Burke but rather about whether I could make the Howard do the job for the time being. I now think it can.
I’d still like to get a low-ish low Burke other than D. I have enough Ds already. So the choice is between C (where I have the Howard) and Eb (where I have an Overton). I’m leaning slightly towards the Eb at the moment because I use it more than the C—I seem to play a lot in F minor as well as Eb. I really do like Burkes a lot so I could easily end up with lots more.
I can’t quite agree with this summary. Things have been said about the tone. Here are a few other points:
Susato Low D fingering is not easy. It is the hardest, most awkward of any whislte I’ve played. Wind requirements for the Susato are on the high side, and you need much more breath in upper register.
The Shaw low D is not heavy, but very very light, since it is just rolled tin. Consider getting one from Jerry Freeman, he tweaks them to make them wonderful and special whistles. They are the most breathy (air sounds along with the tone) Low Ds.
The Alba Low D is heavy. It has very high breath requirements. The tone isn’t “pure” but has a bit chiffy, is strong and beautiful. It is the most beautiful of the (metal or plastic) low D, with perhaps the exception of the Copelands. Despite the high breath requirements it does play easily and smoothly.
Chieftains: I don’t know what you mean by “superior finish” but if it’s what I think it is, the Chieftains don’t have it. They are, plain and the most utilitarian looking whistle. The tone on the ones I’ve playd was okay, although I’ve played one or two nice ones (I’ve played a nice Low E recently). None of the Overton magic, though (that’s just my opinion, of course).
I don’t think you can call Burkes “hand-made”.
Finally, the Overton:
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
The Overtons are not expensive. They are the cheapest if you consider value/price. Silkstones are more expensive , if you can believe it, and Burkes and Chieftains are about the same. The Chieftains are completely mashine-manufactured (I doubt they are even voiced by hand), and the Burkes are mashine tooled and voiced by hand, checked by Mike Burke (if I remember this correctly). The Overtons are completely handmade, and you can order them to specifications, at no extra charge. They are also the most consistent whistles you can get.
I won’t go into the sound again, except to say that the Overton sound is THE low D sound. Wind requirements are not “normal”. you can call them high, if you are talking about pressure (how much breath support do you need) or you can call them low, if you are talking about volume (how often to you need to take a breath). I agree that switching octaves is easy, as is fingering.
On weight: Copeland is heaviest, then the aluminum ones: Overton, Alba, Chieftain, Howard, then the plastic ones (Dixon, Susato, Burke Composite), and the lightest is the Shaw.
[quote="Bloomfield"I don’t think you can call Burkes “hand-made”.[/quote]
Which has negative connotations, especially when Chieftains are included in a comparison. It should, however, be noted that the use of machines in the manufacture of Burkes is largely responsible for their remarkable consistency. However it is done, the fit and finish of these whistles is practically flawless.
like yourself bloom, i also like the sound of the alba low D. correct if i’m wrong but i thought the improved alba’s don’t take so much wind as the ovetones.also, the alba has very small holes
i don’t think all these whistles are expensive, it’s hard work and you won’t get rich. people like colin goldie and others love their labour. they don’t deserve the label of being to expensive.
colin’s a true craftsman, his hands show the heavy wear of his work on aluminium. so much that it gives him trouble to cover the big holes on his baritones. i admire him as a player and craftsman, and the nice guy he is. he’ll make your whistle the way you want it (if you like overtones).
i don’t think his whistles are expensive, after all the work he did himself, he’s not a rich man, i know that for sure, it’s a labour of love.
Which has negative connotations, especially when Chieftains are included in a comparison. It should, however, be noted that the use of machines in the manufacture of Burkes is largely responsible for their remarkable consistency. However it is done, the fit and finish of these whistles is practically flawless.[/quote]michael burke has a team of 5 people working for him. beside him, there’s also has a very high skilled voicer. mike has a full time demanding job, among other things, he’s famous for his pertubed bores. but most of all, he’s always working on improvment on whistle and machine. he’s doesn’t believe he deserves all the credit, it’s the hole team. i don’t think his whistles are to expensive either. mike’s a genius!!
I think Overton’s are considerably underpriced, given the mastery and care that Colin puts into them. Hands down the best low D value money can buy.
About the Alba breath requirements: I have a new Alba, and it still requires much air. It is a feature not a problem, in my mind. There are different styles, you see this in the hi Ds, too: Whistles that pull the air out of you with no resistance, and whistles that you need to push the air through with a bit of effort (backpressure, as StevieJ calles it). Albas have little or no backpressure, Overtons all have backpressure, but to varying degrees. You are going to be taking fewer breaths on an Overton than on an Alba. The sound of the new Albas by the way is wonderfully rich and strong.
As for the Burkes: From what I hear, I would agree with Ridseard that Mike has gotten the quality control issues resolved and that the Burkes are consistently good.
looks like i’m too late to influence the purchase of a new low d - i’m sure a fine choice has been made - but in looking over the list, i saw at least two makers who have been left off: Hoover and Reyburn.
I’ve owned a grand total of five low d’s, so I’m far from an expert, however, I must say that the Hoover and Reyburn are both very good instruments. Mack’s is amazing because of it’s finger spread and because of its price. It can easily be played without using piper’s grip and has a soft sound. Ronaldo’s is just awesome. It is the whistle I enjoy the most these days. It’s voice is beautiful. I can’t imagine a list of quality Low D without his being on it. The tone is full and vibrant, deep and resonant. And the finger spread is easy if one cheats and uses their right pinky.
I too have a Howard Low D, and have had clogging problems even when focussing on playing “dry”. I also have noticed that it takes concerted effort to hit the top two notes in the upper octave, else it blows odd semi-times if I miss. Please let me know if the new head makes a difference for you. For the money, I’d HAPPILY get a new head for it, as other than that issue, I enjoy it immensely.
Kenneth
PS Does YOURS sound like a huge OAK whistle too? I keep hearing about this “cosmic drainpipe” sound that they are supposed to have, but mine sounds just like my OAK whistle, and a little like my ACORN.
). i also find this whistle more woody then an alba
my burke low C will arrive in two weeks!(improved version)
, if you can believe it, and Burkes and Chieftains are about the same. The Chieftains are completely mashine-manufactured (I doubt they are even voiced by hand), and the Burkes are mashine tooled and voiced by hand, checked by Mike Burke (if I remember this correctly). The Overtons are completely handmade, and you can order them to specifications, at no extra charge. They are also the most consistent whistles you can get.
