REVIEW OF CILLIAN O’BRIAIN AND IAN LAMBE LOW WHISTLES
Background/Introduction
Recently, I posted asking whether anyone had any experience/knowledge regarding these whistles, as I was looking for a new metal Low F whistle, and knew nothing about these whistles other than their existence and availability. Blayne Chastain played the O’Briain Low F (non-tuneable) over the phone for me and I asked him to send me one. He also sent me one Lambe and one O’Briain tuneable Low D for trial and review. After playing these whistles exclusively for the past two weeks, I am now posting this review.
Both the Lambe and the O’Briain are quality Low D, cylindrical bore, aluminum alloy, two-piece tuneable whistles, with cork and aluminum tuning slides and aluminum headjoints.
I’ll provide specific detail as to appearance, physical comfort, tone, volume, playability (reach, air requirements, ease of transition), mouthpieces and fipples, slides, fingerholes, and airways/blades.
I will attempt to describe how they sound, but oddly, will say least about that most important aspect because tonal quality is a matter of personal taste and the descriptive terms so subject to interpretation (note the continued threads debating not only what chiff is, but whether a specific whistle actually has whatever chiff is). Therefore, I will also refer you to the page that Blayne Chastain of Whistleanddrum.com put together for reference. It includes pictures and sound clips of both instruments. That page’s address is: http://www.whistleanddrum.com/obriainlambe.html
I will use the only other high end tuneable aluminum cylindrical whistle (albeit anodized and three-piece) that I currently own (O’Riordan) just as an occasional reference point regarding design differences.
Finally, I have always maintained that at a certain level of workmanship, preferences are dictated by personal taste including an overall sense of how rewarding an experience it is for a particular individual to play a particular whistle. These are both beautiful, well-made quality instruments. I particularly found the O’Briain to be one of the most rewarding whistles I’ve ever played. Now to the specifics.
Appearance/External Design Elements/Finish
The Lambe has a high-sheen polished finish and the tube most resembles an original Howard. The Lambe mouthpiece has elegantly tapered sides. The mouthpiece portion is severely angled and stubby-looking (much like the Abell mouthpiece and not at all uncomfortable). The fipple appears to be black delrin. There is a 3.25” tubular ring at the slide which has artfully and professionally etched into it the maker’s name, county (Clare), and a griffin-like fantastical creature.
The O’Briain has a bead blasted or brushed gun metal grey finish and most resembles an Overton or Chieftain. The mouthpiece is sleek and comfortable, much like that of an O’Riordan. The fipple is aluminum. Two-inch bevels are cut in the tubing forming a flattened vee shape beginning at the top of the airway cutout, providing a very unique and appealing aerodynamic appearance. There is a 2.75” tubular ring at the slide. The maker’s name and key are plainly etched on the bottom of the tube.
Weight/Heft
The Lambe is a bit heavier than the O’Riordan and the O’Briain is a bit heavier still, but comfortable. Both feel a bit lighter than a brass Copeland Low D.
Bore Diameter/Wall Thickness
Both whistles have about a 27/32” bore diameter and 1/16” wall thickness. The bore diameter is very slightly greater than the O’Riordan, and the wall thickness is twice that of the O’Riordan.
Finger Holes
The Lambe holes are beveled and smoothly finished, somewhat tear drop shaped, moderate comfortable size, with comfortable reach. The O’Briain holes are beveled, edges not as smoothly finished (but not uncomfortable or distracting), generally the same size and shape as the Lambe. The spacing is also about the same, except for the bottom hole, which is set about ¼” further down the tube; I found the reach to be a bit greater, but still comfortable. Note that the O’Riordan bottom three holes, for example, are all set further down the tube than the Lambe, ¼”, 3/8”, ½” respectively. The O’Riordan holes are smaller than those of either reviewed whistle. Reach is a function of several elements and I think most of us really equate physical comfort with reach, which is impacted by bore type and diameter, overall weight, and spacing, shape and size of the fingerholes. Therefore, the O’Riordan is very easy for me to handle despite the more distant finger holes (it also has a third piece with a rotating bottom finger hole for adjustable comfort). All things considered, what we call reach or physical comfort, took more getting used to for me on the O’Briain (including playing faster tunes), but ultimately is comfortable. I addressed reach here because I think a lot of us initially equate (incorrectly) that only with the spacing of the finger holes.
Airways/Blades
The Lambe airway is 5/8” wide by ¼” high, with a straight and sharp narrow blade. The mouth blow hole is wide and narrowly arced (top to bottom). The O’Briain airway is 9/16” wide by ¼” high, with a straight sharp somewhat wider bladed area, and a somewhat wider and higher arced blow hole. Note that both airways are wider and less high than the O’Riordan. The O’Riordan blow hole is much more highly arced than those of the reviewed whistles.
Tuning Slide
Both have cork and aluminum slides. The Lambe slide on the sample whistle was very easy to work and stayed in position firmly. However, it had a noticeable slight wobble in all positions, including completely closed. I don’t know whether this is endemic to this line of whistle or just presents in my sample. In any event, it did not impact playability or tone. The O’Briain slide was initially a bit tight, but is very firm and excellent fit throughout in all positions.
Playability (Air requirements, ease of transition, reach, responsiveness, clogging)
Both whistles perform better when warm, as do all whistles of this type (i.e., thick walled aluminum low whistles).
The Lambe is easy and comfortable to play overall for a Low D whistle. It’s light, hole coverage presents no problems, the overall reach factor (see finger hole discussion) is minimal, it’s relatively forgiving, and requires relatively low air. The octave transitions are easy and there was no clogging problem in the sample whistle. The whistle responds well to changes in air flow and finger placement.
The O’Briain was a bit more difficult to get used to initially in that the reach and physical comfort zone were a bit more difficult. However, that soon evaporated, and the O’Briain has quickly become one of the most rewarding whistles I’ve ever played. I would classify its air requirement as moderate. Clogging has not been a problem although it gathers a bit more moisture than the Lambe; this is easily cleared every few tunes or so by blowing and shaking, which I habitually do when playing any whistle.
It is in the areas of octave transition and responsiveness that the O’Briain really excels. This whistle is very responsive both when played softly and when leaned into. It plays in tune with full body at low volume and when really leaned into and makes wonderfully effortless octave transitions. It has a really strong low end and a really strong high end as well, that easily and gracefully reaches the high B (e.g., in the second half of Danny Boy aka Londenderry Air) with no shrillness. Really smooth and responsive at both ends at high or low volume. There are very few whistles that allow for this effortless duality of attack. IMHO, this is the outstanding characteristic of the O’Briain low whistle.
Volume
Both whistles have good strong volume at both ends relative to other Low D whistles (including Copeland, O’Riordan, Kerry, Overton).
Tonal Quality
Both whistles exhibit solid intonation throughout. The O’Briain has a full round smooth sound while achieving both touches of the cosmic drain pipe low end (but smooth) and a strong, non-shrill, non-squawky high end. The Lambe is a bit brighter in the low end and edgier in the high end. Both are “chiffier” than the relatively pure O’Riordan. Now, disregard me, and go to the sound clips to get a better idea of the sound of these whistles for yourselves.
Conclusion
Two fine quality high end Low D whistles. Both are very beautiful cosmetically in different ways. Chinks in the otherwise fine presentation of the sample whistles consisted of a non-distracting wobble in the tuning slide of the Lambe and marginally rough edges on the inner bevel of the finger holes of the O’Briain.
The O’Briain is the most rewarding whistle both to play and to collect. The steel grey brushed gun metal finish with that simple beautifully beveled vee-shape at the foot of the mouthpiece make it a whistle that I will always reach for. More importantly, the O’Briain is somewhat unique in that you can play both octaves easily in tune and with full body easily at either low volume or by really leaning into it. Moreover, it is “Ford tough” and the slide is wonderful (once you get it started). It should be noted that the non-tuneable Low F displayed the same general characteristics, but was, as expected, easier to play at faster speeds.
Regards,
Philo