Hello CnF peeps! I have been lurking around the search function of the website but I can’t seem to get a good comparison between the Tony Dixon’s Acetal Three Piece low whistle and Walt Sweet’s Onyx low whistle.
Both whistles are three piece models. I have been looking to get a nice three piece low D to carry around in my bag when traveling. How do both of these compare? i would appreciate feedback from people who have played them (plus points for having played both of them )
My primary preference is which ever takes the least amount of air. Personally, I prefer low whistles with a sweet and easy top end and a somewhat sensitive low end. Which whistle has Better volume balance between the octaves? Hand span is not an issue. Which do you guys think is better for my needs?
I had the Dixon for a few weeks, mine was a four part set with both a whistle and flute head. Very well made, substantial and solid, small holes, easy stretch, I’m sure it could be played without ‘Pipers Grip’ if you wished, intonation seemed okay, the usual OXXOOO C Nat was a bit, off if I recall correctly, didn’t take much air but the bottom D and E were a touch fragile if you weren’t careful with your breath, nice ‘woody’ tone, but I found it to be on the quiet side, especially the lower octave.
Can’t help with the Sweet sorry, never been fortunate enough to play one of those.
While I have not played the whistle version of Walt Sweets delrin instruments, the flute is simply great and the two use the same body. That said, I would expect the Dixon bore to be narrower and use less air.
Both are nice guys. Hopefully someone who has played the whistle version of Walt’s flute will chime in.
I have Walt Sweet’s delrin Shannon flute aswell. Indeed, it is a wonderful instrument. I asked Mr.Sweet about it; apparently the shannnon flute and the onyx whistle have different bore profiles and undercuts on the body, thus are not interchangable. Only the outward appearance are the same. I thought I could get just the whistle head for my flute.
Turns out, they are more like cousins than siblings
Not that I’ve noticed. I do spend a lot more time playing the flute than the low whistle though. I think all whistles need to be made with a bit of a compromise as regards the volume of the second octave, since you can’t make substantial variations in embouchure like a flute. Both I and another local player (who plays his much more than I do, both in sessions and solo) are happy with the Onyx. Admittedly I’ve never tried the Dixon tapered low whistle, so can’t compare to that.
I like the Onyx because the finger hole size and spacing more closely resembles that of my antique American Wm. Hall and Sons than the Low D Burke Viper I used to have (also a great whistle, just very different). I can play the Onyx without using pipers grip.
Thanks! Also coming from the flute, I fear I might find it difficult to play the high notes without the flexibility of the flute embochure. With whistles, upper octaves rely largely on lung power.
So far, I’ve heard good things about the Onyx. I have also heard good about the Dixon, although the general consensus on it is that it is a tad quiet. It also breaks to the upper octave easily (which maybe a good thing for me). I’d like to know how the Onyx fairs against it.
To date, I still haven’t heard of a direct comparison between the two. I hope someone who has played both chimes in soon.
Sorry I haven’t played both but I am a fan of the onyx. I’ve owned three of them (that’s a story of its own). A while back I went on a quest for the right low d for me. Sadly for you, the Dixon was not in my survey. However several others were. I ended up with the onyx. Love it. I find it can be very expressive, is easy on the hands, and blends nicely with other instruments. Don’t think you will be disappointed.
I recently added an alloy Reyburn. It has a vastly different tone. One day, I hope to add a reviol as it too has a vastly different tone from both the others. Then I think I will rest from collecting low ds. At least until another maker comes out with the latest and greatest.
Sorry, but like the others I have never played a Dixon. Of my 3 low D whistles, Onyx, Goldie and MK pro, the
Onyx has the easiest to reach and most dependable upper notes. It has a very pure and clean tone on top and a nice balance between the top and bottom notes. I find it easy to get expressive changes without losing the note.
Do take what I say with a grain of salt as I am in no way a musician and do not play for the benefit of others.
Sorry about the late reply, a storm took down the internet. As of now, I’m leaning towards the Onyx. It seems as if it would suit ny needs well.
Ofcourse I dont want to biased towards it due to the lack of info on the Dixon, but maybe the silence says something. Dont get me wrong though, I have other products from both Mr.Dixon and Mr.Sweet and I am quite satisfied with them.
I was disappointed by the onyx in comparison to both Dixon low D’s (two piece and three-piece), and owned the Onyx for far less time than either of the Dixons.
I still have the two piece Dixon which I think superior to the three-piece. But that was all a long time ago.
I you really must have a three piece tapered bore whistle get a Bleazey - may even be cheaper than an Onyx and is one of the best whistles I have played. I have the dixon, bleazey and copelend low Ds and they all get played, though maybe the dixon less so.
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