So, I’m about ready to drop some big (for a college student anyway) bucks on a whistle. I was thinking around $100 or so.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my Hoover Custom Wide Bore Brass D. It’s a wonderful whistle and a joy to play. It is, however, very quiet. This is fine in many situations (I live in an apartment building in NYC), but it would be nice to have something with more umph, something I can kind of lay into. Unfortunately, my Hoover is not loud enough to play with other instruments much (I play whistle in a praise band on my campus).
At any rate here are the whistles I am considering (all in the key of D):
Burke, pro-session (probably brass)
Overton
Chieftan
Songbird (cause it’s made by the folks that make the Chieftan)
That’s pretty much the list so far. The trouble is I’m not sure of the difference between them (especially in the Overton/Chieftan family) in terms of sound quality and timbre. I would appreciate any comments, recommendations, or even addtions on this list that anyone might have.
I’ve never played a Chieftain so I’ll leave it to those who have to make direct comparisons although it is my understanding that they are comparable in style to Overtons.
I do play Overtons, 9 of them, and they are wonderful whistles. If you are looking for a whistle to lean into that will repay your efforts, an Overton is about as good as it gets in your price range and perhaps without price qualification. Plenty of back pressure so you won’t be gasping for breath every other phrase either. Somehow Bernard and Colin manage to get something recognisable as that trademark low whistle sound into their highs. Lovely, complex sound with loads of overtones. If you regard ordinary Overtons as requiring a little too much leaning into, or you aren’t sure, just ring Colin Goldie and he’ll build you just what you want. Overtons were my first high-end whistles and remain firm favourites.
Now Burke would also be a good choice but only if you want a more pure sounding whistle. I love Burkes too. Very easy players, very responsive, lovely singing tone—perhaps as close as you’ll get to wood without actually paying for wood. I play AlPros but, like Overtons, Burkes are known for their consistency.
My only other sugggestion in this price range would be a Sindt if you want something that sounds a bit like that elusive ‘good’ Generation. I also like Sindts a lot but then, I like variety.
For not much over your $100 range, you can get a Water Weasel set of head and body tubes for C,D and Eb. Well worth considering. Haven’t checked recently, but I think some of Serpent’s stuff is in your range too. Burke and Sindt are always dependable.Choices, choices…
Elfsong. Elfsong, ELFSONG!! Need I say more?
Good, solid body and pure, sweeeeeeeet tone. For less than $100, You’ll hear an elf sing. You sing with the elf.
Overton Soprano D - I can thoroughly recommend, but will certainly go over your 100 dolla range (unless it comes up on Ebay…unlikely to be under 100 though), but If you’re willing to wait and save more, I’d say Overton is a must. Meister Goldie, such a good maker, he is
He plays the same tune, “Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel”, on a number of different whistles. It really helped me to understand the differences between different makers’ products.
I will echo the recommendation. I love Glenn Schultz’s products (his B-flat whistle is striking). I only wish that Michael Eskin had included a Water Weasel in his comparison.
For $100, you can get a wooden whistle by David Boisvert. It looks and plays like an O’Riordan. In my opinion, it is the best whistle in that price range. So far, it’s a well-kept secret.
Does anyone know where I can find more info on the Serpents, Elfsongs, and Water Weasels?
As far as what I’m looking for in terms of sound, I don’t really know. I mean I love the way my Hoover brass D sounds, it’s just too quiet if I’m playing in any other situation except by myself (in which case, it’s perfect). I’m gonna have to listen to those comparisons…
I’ve played Elfsong, Burke, and Water Weasle, and of the three I liked the Elfsong(s) best. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, it just depends on what you want.
Since you like the Hoover, think about the whitecap. It has about the same volume as my Oak. They won’t cut through a large session, but have enough volume for most else.
Surprised no one has mentioned ALBA whistles yet. My wife loves hers. Just enough chiff to be different, but fairly easy to play and moderate to low back pressure.
I just got a Serpent Anaconda A and am waiting on my Python G. They are actually fairly quiet, complex sounding whistles with moderate to high back pressure. Search for author Serpent and he will have a WWW link in his posts.
I like my Overton Low D. Got it for $90 from a list member. I almost fell over myself pm’ing to get that one!
The other whistle my wife likes is a Waltons Mellow D. Good sound and fairly loud. A LOT less than 1 bill too.
Everyone likes different playing and tone characteristics. Your best bet is to listen to various whistles being played (without reverb) and decide which you like best. Even better would be to play a bunch and come up with a decision, but I know that, unless you live near a whistle store or someone with a lot of whistles, that’s difficult. I would suggest that you avoid extremes of purity and breathiness and go for something versatile. Burke pro is probably the most “technologically evolved” whistle you can get…you need to decide if appearance and feel matter at all to you, though. I know that, all things being equal, a beautiful wooden whistle can inspire me more than an industrial metal one, but a Burke pro is reliable and you wouldn’t have to worry about weather or fragility. I’m rambling a bit.
Versatality is definitely something I think I want. The burkes sound great, they have a really clean sound. I’m not sure of the difference between the aluminum models and the brass though.
Jessie, do you know where I can see what a Burke actually looks like? I’ve been to the website, but you can’t really see much in that picture.
That’s one of the reasons why the Overton/Chieftan family was attractive to me: I know what they sound like and they have a very classic look to them.
