apologies if this is an overdone question/ subject
how do these compare? i love playing chieftain low Ds and have the chance to buy an overton at a good price. should i go for it or wait to get a chieftain?
thanks
If the price is good, I would say go for it. You can always sell it on if it doesn’t suit. A good quality whistle can always be sold on.
David
I’ve had a few of each and in my view, there is nothing like a Goldie/Overton. They have that special sound that I never had with the Chieftans.
The Goldie low D is the creme de la creme of low whistles.
I have a Goldie low D in purple and it is lovely. Have found myself playing it and a Bernard Overton alto G over the past week or so quite a lot (cos I was going to sell the alto G then as always played it till I liked it…). They need a bit of getting used to I think but what doesn’t really? That all said, and not because I am selling one I should add 
, the MK really does seem to have almost the boom and presence of the Burke proviper mixed with the cosmic warmth of the Goldie. Different from both and equally as lovely. Certainly my top three. The fact the MK I have for sale (which is only three weeks old and as new) has not sold yet tells me something more than the FTSE index about the current climate… 
cheers
Stephen
Here is a video made by someone who has a chieftain and an overton so you can hear the difference:
I have a Overton from lat mr.Bernard Overton. It’s gone through the hands of Colin as well. It’s a sound so beautiful, so haunting, so beautifully finished, straight but effective. It seems to be incomparable to any other whistle. I’ve heard a couple. What I can say only the Alba comes close. I’m never gonna part with this one.
I think the Goldie/ Overton is the classic low D whistle both in sound and appearance. Ultra pure look..nothing superfluous combined with a very complex sound that is so rewarding to play.
wow that’s a great video to compare those two. I know recordings can be very deceptive, but it seems like the Overton has a little extra something in the tone, for example C# seemed to have more character to it.
But overall they sound more alike than I would have thought.
Thats what I thought. The Overton tone was better in the lower register. The picture at the end showing the hole spacing was interesting.
This is a great way to see, and hear the difference.
Watch his breathing. You’ll need BIG wind for the Chieftain - you see him run out at least once. And the tone is a bit fat and imprecise. Overton’s tight windways help prevent ending a measure without oomph, and contribute to a tighter tone and more focus.
Careful listening and you can hear that the Overton plays better in tune. This is my experience in playing them both as well. Chieftains were close, but often seemed a few cents off on a couple notes with some creep between the octaves. Seems like you have to play the Chieftain into tune, And an Overton needs to be pushed out of tune (when you want it). Which of these characteristics you like will depend on your playing style.
Chieftains are easy breathers and will be easier to blow. While you have become familiar with your diaphragm to play an Overton.
My preference would always be for an Overton, but your decision should come down to your personal preference, playing style, and budget.
Have fun,
Hi guys…I’m the one who made that video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Y-5UEcPfE ) …
I’m very glad that I could help you in your opinions…
You see, the Overton was the first one I boughted, and in the beggining I simply couldn’t play it…
The Chieftain V3, by his turn, is a lot easy to play…Once you get one…
But I stick to the Overtone…It is amazing how it sound is a lot “incorpated” (I don’t know if this expression can be understanded)…
I may be wrong , but I believe Chieftan is machine made while Goldie/Overton is handmade, and I read something to the affect that chieftan went mass produced to lower the costs. However I have also seen that it is only about $5AUS difference.
I personally own a Goldie made Overton and remain devoted to the Goldie sound over any other low whistle do far.
Mick