Go to my last post (p.3) for pics!
My new Lochlan low D arrived yesterday, so I’ll share my initial thoughts. I’ll be doing a more thorough review after I’ve had more time with it, and I’ll try to post some sound clips and pics as well. Of note, my experience with other low Ds include Overton, Brass Copeland, Burke Aluminum Viper, Chieftain, and Susato. MK on order and expected to arrive early 2009.
LOOKS:
I have the original “fatty” version. This whistle is indeed HUGE! I’ve already dubbed her as my “Stealth”. (Don’t let that scare you, however. I’m five foot tall with a hand span from tip of pinky to tip of thumb that comes in under 4 ½ inches – so – very small hands. If I can play this whistle, you can!!). The finish is quite nice – a sort of brushed aluminum. There is a brass tubing section of approximately 2 inches incorporated just above the tuning slide. I like the tuning slide design, by the way. It’s just tight enough to prevent it sliding back down while you are playing it, but not so tight that you have to “wrestle” it. No plumbers tape. The fipple is thin and rounded, no plastic. It is comfortable and attractive. The walls are considerably thicker and the whistle is heavier than the Overton. It feels substantial, but it’s definitely not too heavy for me. Overall, I think it has a “wicked” look that’s kind of, for lack of a better word, cool!
SIZE COMPARISON (Compared to my Overton)
Circumference: Overton, approximately 3 inches. Lochlan, approximately 4 inches.
Length: Overton, approximately 22 ¾ inches. Lochlan, approximately 22 ¼ inches.
The tone holes are larger on the Lochlan and the spacing is a bit different in that the bottom left and right hand holes are a bit lower on the Lochan than the Overton. It does take some adjustment, but the whistle is worth the little bit of effort.
TONE:
The tone is truly unique compared to other aluminum low Ds I’ve played. The tone is very full and surprisingly silky and mellow for an aluminum whistle, no harshness or edginess. It still very much maintains the classic drain pipe sound and has very nice breathiness and complexity to the tone. The tone is consistent from low to high register. The high register doesn’t SCREAM, and that is nice. I am extremely partial to this whistle’s low register, however. It is just gorgeous. The volume is full and assertive as one would expect with this larger whistle. One thing that really struck me with this whistle is how even the volume is from note to note, particularly the low E, which tends to be a weak note on many low whistles. The low E on the Lochlan is rock solid as is the “hard” low D.
RESPONSIVENESS:
I find the Lochlan to be an extremely responsive whistle. It responds well to sliding and shading and changes in wind pressure that render it gorgeous for airs. It also responds rapidly to rolls, cuts, taps, crans, etc. and works great for dance tunes as well.
AIR REQUIREMENTS: This was quite a shock as I expected the whistle to take considerably more air. Not the case at all, surprisingly! It takes just slightly more air than the Overton, but less than the Copeland.
INTONATION: I found to be perfect to my ear. C natural is played oxx ooo.
Overall, I’m very excited to have this new voice in my lineup. The Lochlan will see considerable playing time from me! Also, the maker, Greg Russell, is wonderful to talk with. This is a new line of whistles and Greg is very interested in input from others and is very open to suggestions and quick to respond to all correspondence. I look forward to following his progress.
I had the same reaction!
