Hello to one and all,
I’m considering buying a Dixon sop D and I’ve searched the old posts for info, and found lot’s o stuff on the Dixon’s, the opinions range from “best whistles ever” to “intonation problem’s aplenty”.
The one point of agreement seemed to be that Mr. Dixon is great to deal with, and that’s always a good thing.
Would anyone be so kind to offer current p.o.v.'s about the sop D’s?
Opinions about the brass slide model compared to the basic tuneable D?
How would you compare the Dixon D to the Susato Kildare sop D?
Or say a Claire D or Generation?
Guess I’ll be the first for opinions on this post. I’ll jump right in, but I’m sure others will follow.
I bought the Dixon high D duo a few years ago, and apart from disliking the piccolo head(and sending it to Cranberry, who wanted to give it a try), it’s a great, pleasent sounding, and sturdy whistle. Very even toned, no shrillness, doesn’t require much air, and has nice resistance. The holes are spaced a little closer than some of my other Ds, which makes playing easier and somewhat faster. And it’s only in the thirty dollar(or so) range, so if you find you don’t like it, it’s not much money spent. It’s the nicest whistle I have . . . apart from my wood Sweet whistle, and even I don’t play that as much as I have the Dixon.
Scott,
I have had a Dixon D tuneable with brass slide for about 6 months…I love it, I agree with mamakash very even tone, doesn’t require a lot of air…I have purchased several other wistles since my dixon, but that is the one I alway pick up and play…and it is very sturdy…I have a susato kildare sop D on order right now…because I have heard great things about it too…This whistle will be for my car!
I’m one of those who had some issues with the Dixon tuning. I tried someone elses Dixon and thought it was marvelous, then got this one and considered it to be a pretty poor excuse for a midrange (price wise) whistle. Some tinkering from a whistlesmith friend got it in tune (amazing what a cardboard tube and bit of plumber’s tape will do!
Still, it was a mellow whistle (especially compared to a Susato) and hardy (compared to anything of wood) and if you get a good one, they’re very nice indeed. I am not a fan of the inexpensive whistles (Clare, Gen, Feadog (though I had a really really good experience with a Hoover whitecap on a Feadog (I think) body this past weekend!)) so I wouldn’t compare/contrast them with something like a Dixon.
I have to say that I love mine. The dog had chewed my Susato up and I was lent a Dixon. I loved it and bought my own very soon after. I recently bought the Tenor two piece flute and when telling Tony I was struggling with it he made me a whistle head so I could play it as a Low D whistle. He is a nice man to deal with and if you buy one of his whistles and there is something amiss he will do his utmost to rectify it. They are pretty robust as well as I am forever dropping mine.
I have a Dixon nontunable D and it is a very good whistle, very smooth, even tone, not shrill, and plays easily into the third octave when warmed up carefully. It is very similar to my Susato VSB D whistle, perhaps just a touch more mellow.
Unlike the VSB, though, it does require careful warming up to avoid clogging problems.
I enjoy this whistle–it’s quite good. I should have gotten the tunable version, though, as the nontunable is tuned sharp enough compared to A=440 that it really doesn’t work well in session.
I bought a bunch of non-tunable D’s for some children I’m encouraging to play. I chose them for price, durability and relative safety, but I liked them well enough that I keep one with me at all times now. For playing alone, it’s my favorite non-Overton whistle. For playing with others, I agree with James that the tunable is a better choice. Either way, I highly recommend Dixon whistles.
Oh, I have no experience with the brass tuning slide version. I should probably try one out.
I have a Dixon D with the brass tuning slide. I like it and it’s been my main whistle since I got it last January. It is also the most expensive whistle I own. It has a nice flute-like tone. Requires very little air. The main disadvantage is a weak low D: low in volume and requiring much less air pressure to hit it clearly. The first whistle I got had some cosmetic and tuning problems but Tony promptly sent me a new one after we exchanged e-mails. For the price (~$35) it’s a good bargain. IMO
Mike Burns
burnsbyrne, you’re right about the low-volume on the low D note. I thought it was just me.
I love my Dixon tunable D. It is my favorite whistle and has brought me from a beginner playing beginner to playing jigs and reels at pub speed. IMO a great whistle to learn on.
I 'd like to thank everyone for the advise and info.
I received my Dixon Sop D w/brass slide 5 days ago and I’ve been playing it almost continuously.
I really love this whistle!
Best soprano D whistle I’ve played, Real Quality for the money!
Thanks, Scott
Scott,
Glad to hear you’re enjoying your dixon. I have been recommending them for a couple of years. I have had a number of tunables. And my current brass slide tunable is my fall back whistle and still get regular play. (most of the others have been given or purchased by friends, now I try to keep one or two on hand for just that purpose)
I think Dixons are great transition whistles. They are the only truely tunable under $30. I have a Burke narrow bore composite that is a little sweeter. But, while my Burke is better, I don’t think its 3 times better; and it is 3 times the price. Dixon fills a nice nitch at the top of in-expensive whistles and the bottom the intermediate whistle in price. Its a good value for the money. I’ve played a few of the $125-$300 whistles, a couple of which I’d love to own. But as someone in their first couple of years of play, the dixon seems to meet the my needs nicely at a great price.
I’m still loving my new Dixon sop D. In particular, it’s in the 2nd octave that makes this whistle such a sweetie.
I’ve been playing Susato’s, Gens,and a Clare and I’m used to working really hard to produce a good tone in the high end. With the Dixon, it’s almost effortless to get up to that 3rd octave D. The feeling is like when you take the donut off a baseball bat and swing away. A new whistle can really help your playing…
Now I’m thinking about a Dixon Low D.
If anyone out there would be so kind to offer opinions or advise on the low D,
I’d be most thankful.
Happy Whistling, Scott
I just bought my very first whistle (yes…a Dixon High D) this past week.
It took me a couple of tries to hit the second octave without scaring my dogs, but now it sounds quite lovely. I agree with the person that posted who said the tone is “flute-like”…breathy without being too breathy, but not shrill in the upper register. I played Clarinet for about 11 years, so breath control and such came back really fast. Just like riding a bicycle…I really like the fact that you don’t play with a reed. Splinters in my tongue were not among my fav memories from my Clarinet days.
So, whistlebinkie, I’m glad that you’re enjoying your Dixon as much as I am.
P.S. I also have a Dixon with brass slide and love it. It’s my first whistle (well, I had a very cheap one years ago which I never played and is now lost). It’s the first instrument I’ve played that I really don’t want to put down. My next whistle will be an Alba…
-Maribeth