Hi all,
I’m toying with getting a cheap low D to play with. I want something that is cheap’n’cheerful, it won’t be raced on public roads, doesn’t need to be tunable. I’m not a great player, don’t want to spend $$ on anything I can’t do justice to. I just want to have something that will give me a ‘taste’ of what low-D is like.
I know there are some fantastic really spendy pipes, but I want something that won’t make me feel guilty if I don’t play it much. The Sussato Low D at about $40 seems to fit my needs – but, I know that some of you would rather cut of your legs and drink bleach than play this. So what else is out there near to that price, and what would you buy in this range?
Tony Dixon (http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk)makes an affordable Low D(both tunable and non-tunable). He gets very positive reviews considering the affordability of his products. I have one of his non-tunable Low D’s on order with the Whistle Shop (http://www.thewhistleshop.com). I think it is around $49.00 or so.
I have one of his regular D’s and it is great for the price.
Good Luck!
If you can find a used Howard in your price, buy it. The fingerholes are a little large, but it’s a good whistle. I have one in lacquered brass, it looks like a giant Generation with a black mouthpiece. I love the sound, and it plays easily. I’m not a trad player, but it plays fast, and it sounds good on airs.
However, another good recommendations would be a Hoover. Mack’s whistles are a great value. I think you’d like what he can make for you. Two thumbs up on a Hoover.
My final recommendation would be an Eyer. John Eyer is listed as a member here. You’d need to look him up on the memberlist to get his email. He makes nice whistles well under $100, they look like Overtons, but with a white delrin mouthpiece plug. Complex sound. I like my Eyer low G more and more each time I play it.
I recently bought a Dixon Low D - it’s my first whistle so I am by no means an expert. I bought it after reading a lot of reviews recommending it as a good beginner’s whistle. I was really apprehensive about playing a low whistle after reading about how hard it is and that you shouldn’t start playing whistle on a low whistle. Anyway, I am playing since about 3 weeks (30 mins to an hour per day) now and at no point was I frustrated with the Dixon. At a price of $49 you really can’t go wrong - it looks decent, sounds nice and is easy to play - hard to beat for that price
Yesterday I went to my local music store and briefly played on a Howard, a Brass Chieftain (extremely heavy) and an aluminum Chieftain. The only minor complaint I have about the Dixon now is that I personally find it easier to finger the holes on metal whistles, it gives me a better sensory feeling than the PVC on the Dixon.
If I would do it over again, I would probably buy a Howard as the first whistle.
If you can find a used Howard in your price, buy it.
I’ve been looking for one, too. If you find one, tell me and we’ll mudwrestle/kickbox/hairdress/sing/play whistle for it and whoever wins will buy it for the other person and we’ll charge everybody here 50 cents for admission to watch and the proceeds will go to charity.
Why not a Kerry if your like the raw aluminium looks?
The aluminium body makes it lighter than the Howard.
It has that “cosmic drainpipe” sound
True, with some buzz on bell tone up to G
It takes little air for a Low D
And does give some back pressure
The finger stretch is manageable by a beginner, more so than the Howard.
The holes size is moderate, especially compared to the Susato’s odd bean-shaped F# (R2) which I never managed to play.
Also, if going after used whistles, beware of early Howards with the first design of heads.
I suggest the Kerry Low D, too. I am very happy with mine (which is for some reason nicer than another I’ve played). Of course I never play it anymore after getting my Overton, hehehe… I would not recommend a Susato, mostly because of the stretch and because I find it finnicky. Maybe it’s just me, of course.
