I have been playing guitar and banjo player several decades. I have become interested in the Pennywhistle and have an interest in learning the instrument to add a different flavor to my music.
I’m looking to purchase a good quality instrument and would appreciate an opportunity to hear from members of the forum on what to look for in a Pennywhistle. Any recommedations regarding manufacturers and recommended features would be most appreciated. My price range is between $30.00 to $100.00 for the instrument.
Many thanks in advance for the time and advice extended.
Get our own Jerry Freeman to send you a couple of his tweaked feodogs (or whatever else he’s got) and spend the rest on beer. I don’t think there’s enough of a difference between a good mass market whistle and a high end whistle to justify the money. (Except that even a high end whistle cost less than a cheap asian guitar, so if you like buying things, go to town.)
As I understand it, Jerry buys feodogs in bulk and does the quality control and minor adjustment that the manufacturer should do but doesn’t, and then resells them for a modest mark-up. Buying a whistle that’s been through his hands means that you can be confident that your whistle is the best whistle it can be. Once you know that, if it sounds bad at the beginning, you can be sure its you and not the whistle. This is a good thing to know, because unlike the whistle, YOU won’t have to get your fipple shaved by Jerry to sound better.
This is the cheaper (just) option than my initial ‘get a good whistle’ strategy, which was to buy a lot but only play the good ones. I still have a few early nineties Generations and Feodogs that sound awful.
As always, this is my opinion alone. Others will think differently, and no doubt tell you so themselves.
Another option is to buy a Dixon Trad. These retail for about £17 in the UK. They produce a very clear sound and have good intonation throughout the range. Plus they are cheap enough that if you damage it or lose it its not the end of the world.
Though some may disagree, The Generation whistle might be worth considering as it is cheap, you can buy one for as little as £ 3.50 and it still makes a decent sound.You can purchase them in different keys easily without spending a lot of money. it’s a good way to start off without spending a lot of money.
If you search over past threads on this forum you’ll find loads of information about just about every make of whistle out there.
If we’re talking High D whistles, they sort of break down into categories such as
inexpensive mass produced such as Generation, Feadog, etc. With these, quality control is an issue and you may have to play ten or twenty or fifty to find a really good one. Or, as has been suggested, you can buy a “tweaked” Generation from Jerry Freeman. He modifies off-the-shelf whistles so that they play at their optimum.
mid price whistles such as Susato, Dixon, etc etc. Some people don’t care for Susatos but they are popular in Ireland as a strong loud session whistle.
high end whistles such as Overton, Burke, Copeland, etc etc. These are hand made from the best materials and many consider them worth every penny.
Really, the only way to get a “feel” for all of these is to play them. I think the most “bang for your buck” will be a Freeman tweaked Generation, Feadog, etc. Many traditionalists (like myself) regard the Generation tone as the most desirable sound. The closest perhaps is the narrow-bore Burke which is a very fine whistle.
As you can see already, there is a bewildering variety of brands and prices available. But do note the underlying theme: A good whistle that plays well. No single factor causes more frustration for beginning whistlers than poor quality. Whether you choose to sort through inexpensive mass-market instruments to find the good ones, spend a bit more for an expertly adjusted instrument, or go further up the price scale to assure more and more quality control, the objective is to avoid the frustrations of an improperly done instrument.
If you, like so many of us, get hooked on this charming, simple instrument, you’ll eventually end up with a collection of them. But do pay attention to comments of quality and playability as the advice rolls in.
For the raw beginner on a budget, I would also recommend a tweaked whistle. Think of tweaking as the ‘set-up’ done on a new guitar. Delicate adjustments, expertly made, that make the instrument significantly easier to use. Spend the extra money on learning materials, or beer, as you choose.
Well within your budget, and of very high technical quality so far as accuracy, balance, volume, playability and craftsmanship are concerned would be Guido Gonzato’s plastic whistle range, and Sandy Jasper’s powder coated brass and copper manufactured whistles.
MTGuru generously posts outstanding sound samples of the GG whistles with his signature on his Chiff and Fipple postings. A simple search will get Guido’s web page too. A search for “Elfsong” will find Sandy’s web page with sound samples of her playing her whistles. Both are knowledgeable and helpful people to deal with, as are Jerry Freeman and Mack Hoover. Jerry’s longstanding quality contribution to whistledom has been noted here already. Mack is a long time supplier of inexpensive but powerful mouthpieces to fit any cheap whistle barrels you care to mention.
The quality of sound and playability of any of these craftspeople’s product compares, to varying degrees, with the more expensive “high end” whistles.
All the best in your search. Let us know what you finally decide to buy, and your initial reaction. We’re all WHOA’s here …
What kind of whistle does your local guitar music store sell? They probably sell one. Learn on that one. Then you have one while you wait for another one to be delivered if you have to order one over the internet. Are you planning on playing with other people? If you are, you’ll want one that it’s tune or can be made to be in tune. You’ll want a couple so that you can keep them in convenient places like your car, back porch, and other places you hang out. If you get a couple, you’ll get to see the differences with different materials. We all keep cheap ones all over the place and have a habit of giving the ones that weren’t our favorites out to kids and friends who express and interest in the whistle.
You’ll enjoy a traffic jam or a slow drive thru if you have a whistle with you. Do not drive and whistle.
If I had tried a Jerry freeman whistle I might be adding to the many suggestions to get one, but as I haven’t had any experience of them, I can’t give an honest opinion. However, I will highly recommend one of Erle Bartlett’s ‘Black Diamond’ whistles as one of the better ones in my collection, and if you’re talking in U.S dollars, well within your budget. If you’re talking in Australian dollars, one of those will be the limit of your maximum allowance.
Good luck in your quest.
You really need to tell us more about your plans for the whistle. Are you going to play by yourself or with other people? Are you going to play ITM or other music? For $100, you could buy 3 good whistles in 3 different keys if you’re playing with other people. If you playing by yourself, you might want whistles, still in different keys, but maybe in different materials, depending on the sound you’re trying to achieve. I’m currently coveting a bamboo flute for the haunting sound but I don’t play ITM.
There are a couple of Burkes for sale now on this forum for a GREAT price! You have one of the best whistles, very easy players and with a beautiful sound.
I keep coming back to it after trying a good few of the high priced whistles.