The Dixon SV, and the ‘Shush’ Generation High D Brass.
Both in good condition, both play nicely.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the Dixon SV is very much like my Waltons Little Black in how it sounds and plays. It is quieter than that, as are most things on earth … well, let’s say when you want that sort of thing, it’s a good and somewhat quieter version of that sort of thing. This beginner finds it much too touchy and needing a perfect precise amount of air for almost every note to not go way off.
Now the ‘Shush’ Generation High D Brass … I’m in love Pure tone, quite easy all the way to the third octave, very forgiving of various amounts of air. And it actually is quiet (for a whistle) Uses the “piece of plastic on the blade” tweak, obviously done very, very well
I’ve had a ‘Shush’ for a good 4 years now and it gets more
airtime than any of the others at home.
It’s easy to do the mod on any Gen, just a small piece of folded brass
plate and some epoxy.
Doesn’t even wake the dogs
I’ve been wanting a really quiet whistle like this so I can play without bothering the family. On the Generation, does this tweak make it play flat? I’ve put tape over a whistle window and that makes it quieter but it also makes it flat.
No, mine plays in tune (or at least near enough) through both 8ves.
At home I learn from recordings slowed down using ‘Transcribe’
and I can play along nicely headphones on and everything
sounds in tune to me.
They do take a bit of getting used to due to the very low air
requirements, so don’t go swapping from this to an Overton
No, the Shush tweak will not make it play flat. Obstructing the window with tape, sticky tac, ect. will make it play flat.
Changing the blade by adding to it will not. But it will change the amount of air flow required. Much less on a Shush.
I play a Shush whistle and it takes very little air flow. I also play Snidt, Abell, Chieftain, Overton, Howard, and they each have a different air flow requirement. With practice, breath control reflex allows playing them all.
Last weekend I tried a friend’s very narrow bore tunable Mack Hoover brass D, which is about as quiet a whistle as I’ve ever played and still be barely audible in a small group. A tiny little voice, very sweet and easy-playing, taking almost no air. A completely charming instrument, and maybe what you’re looking for.
This beginner finds it much too touchy and needing a perfect precise amount of air for almost every note to not go way off.
