I’m trying to finish up a recording project, and having recently dropped my favorite Clarke D into the lake while swimming with the dog, I thought it’s perhaps time for a slight upgrade.
I’m considering a Dixon trad–I’ve been following that discussion with interest. Now that you’ve had it for a while, what do you think?
Is Jerry still doing his tweaks of Clarke originals? (I’ve been away a long time…) Who out there has played one? I love the clarke sound, but I have been a bit frustrated with mine–it’s pretty “touchy,” very quick to produce harshness in the high register if you get just the tiniest bit carried away with breath pressure. I always seem to when I quit thinking about the whistle and start thinking about the music. Does the Freeman tweak address this problem?
Here’s what I’m looking for, in approximate order of importance:
Low price. I really can’t negotiate on this. We’re trying to pay off Wilson Manor, doncha know. I definitely need to go under $50 u.s. $20 or $30 would be better.
Nice, pure, pretty sound–needs to sound good recording slow airs and fast tunes. No harshness in upper range. A bit of breathiness is OK.
Tuning needs to be pretty darn close to perfect all around.
Good balance between upper and lower octaves, easy jumps between the two registers.
There, now that isn’t too much to ask, is it? Doesn’t have to be fancy, just perfect…
Go for the Dixon Trad, and be happy. I’ve had mine for over a month, and I confirm it’s a joy to play. I’m particularly impressed at its high B, which is easy to hit and never squeaks at me. Only a minor issue: if the shaft were 2-3 mm shorter, there would be more room for tuning the whistle a bit sharp.
Blackout, I guess Clarkes are sort of like grapefruit–you either like them or you don’t, and if you don’t, it’s unimaginable that anyone else could.
Hawk, can you tell me a bit more about how the Thom Larsen tweak differs from the original?
Anybody else have any input? I really don’t have enough $$ for experimentation here, so I appreciate the suggestions.
Thanks.
TW
P.S. Hey, Loren. Doing good. Got myself hitched a couple years ago to a beautiful young Wyoming lady who loves the mountains almost as much as I do. Still teaching elementary music–I sing with little kids all day and get paid for it! Hard to feel bad about that. Working on turning our cow pasture into a yard; as of this summer I have three trees that are taller than me!
So you finally conquered WhOA, or just ran out of money?
Cody Paulson… the name sounds really familiar. Between my current job, my work as a youth minister, and my previous gig as high school/junior high band director, I know LOTS of people, but have a devil of a time keeping all the names straight. Tell me more and make me feel stupid for forgetting…
Congrats all around man, sounds like things are grand!
So you finally conquered WhOA, or just ran out of money? > >
Ran out of money and ran into flutes - a bad combination
Cody Paulson… the name sounds really familiar. Between my current job, my work as a youth minister, and my previous gig as high school/junior high band director, I know LOTS of people, but have a devil of a time keeping all the names straight. Tell me more and make me feel stupid for forgetting…
Cody (Gary, although I don’t think anyone calls him Gary) Paulson is one of the NOLS old timers, although I don’t know that he’s still going out on courses, or even working for them at this point, but I was told by someone at NOLS recently that he lives in Lander currently.
Cody knew my dad, and was living in Boulder when I moved out there in the early to mid-80’s. Cody became my climbing instructor - used to take me down to Eldorado Canyon and get me on stuff I didn’t think I had any business climbing Fortunately he knew better than I did what I was capable of, and I improved immensely, and stayed safe, thanks to him. Sadly, I haven’t run in to Cody in many many years, so if you happen to run into him at any point, please tell him I said hello.
Yeah, where are the moderators when you need them??? You should only be allowed to post pics like that in the fight forum, Loren! Have you no decency, man?
Doesn’t have to be fancy, just perfect…
>
Fortunately he knew better than I did what I was capable of, and I improved immensely, and stayed safe, thanks to him. Sadly, I haven’t run in to Cody in many many years, so if you happen to run into him at any point, please tell him I said hello.
