I am probably only going to buy one high end soprano D whistle and so I need to know which one of these whistles is the one to buy; Chieftain, Overton or perhaps even Burke. Please tell me what you think, especially if you have been fortunate enough to be able to compare them. Thanks for your help.
Do you REALLY think you’ll only buy one high end whistle? 
I laugh only because I think many of us have said that at one time or another.
I can weigh in a reply, but my experience is minimal with an Overton high D (nontunable) that I borrowed from a friend for a week, a Chieftain gold mezzo d (nontunable) that I just bought and have had for only a few days, a Burke DBSBT tunable d that I have had for about a month, but you didn’t mention a price range, and there are other whistles you may want to consider, and I’m sure someone else will comment.
All three whistles you asked about are VERY different in just about every way. The Overton I played had the most back pressure with a sweet sound. “For me” . . . I found that it was different enough from my other high d’s that I would need to play it much more, over the others, than I wanted, in order to get in synch with it’s playing characteristics.
During my “search” for one high end whistle, many people encouraged me to get a Burke. It took awhile and a different whistle purchase, before I came around and bought the one I have. It has the purest sweetest tone of any of my whistles, and the transition between octaves is almost transparent in the effort it requires . . . very easy. It also has a low amount of back pressure. For the money, most people will direct you to the Burke. It’s a fantastic value and you can choose alloy or brass or composite. I like brass.
The Chieftain gold mezzo d I have is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. It’s tone is completely different from the Overton or Burke. This is a power whistle. It can get loud, and you can play it quieter. But if you don’t lean into it, it can play a little flat, BUT that’s the way it’s designed. A high whistle for low whistle players. The tone is deeper, and I find that just like the other two, that once you get used to it, it is quite expressive and fun to play. Back pressure is almost the same as the Burke, but it takes a higher volume of air. What I like about it is that it has a “fatter” sound. You probably wouldn’t need a mic at a small session.
Of the three, I found the Overton to take the most concentration to play (probably just me). The are all wonderful IMHO in their own special ways, but the kind of decision you are trying to make is one many of us have tried to do, and kept trying. If you can find a store or a friend or two that will let you try theirs out, that’s the “safest” way to do what you are trying to do.
However, depending on your budget and the material type you are looking for, I’m sure there are other whistles you might want to consider. Also, let us know what whistles you have or have played. Give us an idea of the characteristics you are looking for in a whistle. I just got a new Water Weasel NT . . . and after playing it a bit last night, I’m thinking this might become one of my favorite whistles. Yes, it’s cPVC, but it’s a fun whistle. You can get in a tunable version as well. So you see, from my perspective, you can find a whistle you will really enjoy without breaking the bank. There are people on this board, as well as well-known musicians that play tweaked “cheapie” like Generations, and make them sound great. It’s more the player than the whistle, but that’s another post . . . .
I’m curious what kind of feedback you’ll get, since this same question has been asked, via post, by myself and others.
Well said, Alespa. I salute you.
Best.
Byll
I wouldn’t put my trust in any of the recommendations you might receive here. You could easily end up with a praised-to-the-heavens whistle you don’t like. The only way to find a whistle that truly suits you is to play it. I know that finding opportunities to play different high-end whistles can be tricky, but there are surprising ways. A board member who lives near you can help you out, or you can find a session where players might let you play their tube for a while. Whistle makers are also very reasonable about offering trial periods.
Best,
Cara
Byll, I salute you back
Cara is absolutely right too, go Cara go! 
Your experience and playing level will definitely determine the best whistle for you “now”.
matt
Alespa, you are right about wanting more than one high end whistle. I would truly love to buy them all, especially the expensive wooden ones that are so beautiful. I am trying to be practical, at least for now. I can buy one high end whistle now and I am sure I will buy more later but I don’t know how long that will be. I have about five low whistles and eight soprano whistles now. I live in central Arkansas and I don’t know anyone else nearby who plays whistle except my daughter and I got her started. So being able to try out different whistles before I buy one is not possible. The local music stores don’t even stock them. Anyway, I want a metal whistle for right now and I have narrowed it down to one of these three due to what I have read on the internet and on this forum. I am an agressive and loud player but I like to play sweet and low too because I am a very moody person. Before playing whistle I played flute for over 30 years. I’ve only been playing whistle for about six or seven months and I don’t think I’ll go back to the flute any time soon. So you guys tell me what you think. I’d like to hold the price to $200.00 or less (preferably less). A used whistle in good condition is perfectly fine with me. Thanks.
Come to a session sometime! I have a Burke you can try, there is a Sindt in the group, and James has LOTS of different makes of whistles.
You can find upcoming sessions at the following web site, and you can sign up for e-mail reminders as well:
http://www.arcelts.com/
All three of the whistles you mentioned fit your budget. Unless you find someone to buy from, I think you may have to wait for the Overton. When I ordered my Burke, it only took a few days.
Jen has a great idea! I would do that for sure, even if you have to drive a little. The opportunity could be worth it.
I was just in Conway today. I get up there about once a month or so but hardly ever at night. I will try to check out one of the meetings. Thanks for the invite.
Overton.
If you’re ever gonna be in Conway or thereabouts in the evening, give Jen or I a call. Even if there’s not a “big session,” chances are pretty good we might could put together a house session and knock off a few tunes with you if you’d like.
We’ve got a good bunch here in Conway, not nearly as many as at the big sessions, but we can still put together a decent little session of our own.
–James
The Undisputed attended college in Conway, Arkansas. Courted Mrs. Undisputed there. And they lived happily ever after.
Dale
If the Undisputed (or even the Undisputeds) are ever in Conway, he (or they) would be most welcome. In fact, they would probably find friends eager to buy a meal for them.
Besides, if you’re ever down this way, you have got to hear Jen play. She is an awesome player.
–James
One thing you didn’t mention is whether you will be happy with putting an all metal mouthpiece into your mouth. I don’t like putting metal in my mouth and stopped buying Burke whistles because I didn’t like my old-style mouthpiece on my Brass Session D.
Then I found out, much to my delight, that Mike Burke came out with his Black Tip model which is all Delrin at the part that goes into the mouth. I promptly bought a new Black Tip and will never part with it. I’d say 9 out of 10 Burke buyers love their Burkes, but they’re not for everybody, I guess. The estimable Bloomfield, a devoted Overton owner, has never warmed up to the Burkes.
I don’t like metal-in-the-mouth. The question is: Do you ?
I think you’re smart to do some research. Good Luck. RamblDoc
Burkes are completely different whistles, and hard to compare to Overtons or Chieftains. Between Burkes and Overtons you should ask yourself what you want in a whistle: sweet, easy, non-complex sound (Burke); or breathier, complex, back-pressure (Overton)?
When you say “easy” for Burke whistles, are you meaning that the Overton would be somewhat harder for a beginner to play? I’m sure this has been addressed elsewhere, but…
In my experience, subtle breath control is what comes with time and practice and is the hardest for the beginner (apart from getting the fingers to move in time). There are whistle that are “touchy” or very sensitive to subtle changes in breath (like Feadogs and Generations and Oaks). When you don’t have good breath control, such whistles often seem screechy. Now, there are whistles that are less sensitive to changes in the breath. Those whistles seem easier to play, and the Burke is one of them. I find that you lose something, that expressiveness and subtlety is lost. They seem a trifle dumbed-down to me (I’m in the minority here). Add to that the bland sound of the Burkes you see why I don’t particularly care for the Burkes (again, I’m in the minority, at least on the chiffboard).
The Overtons are different kettle of fish altogether: You have to push your breath through the Overton to play it properly, and you have to support your breath (like a flute or brass player does). This back-pressure varies from Overton to Overton and you can even get an “easy-blow” from Colin, if you prefer. The point, though, is that something different is going on: on a Feadog, the challenge is to blow gently and only a little harder sometimes. On the Overton you are bolowing hard all the time and have to vary your breath on that basis.
Varying the breath is hard for beginners. Getting used to how Overtons play is the same no matter how long you have played. It just takes a bit of time to get used to it, like a week or so. Once you have the knack of pushing the whistle, it’s no harder than other whistles (perhaps a bit more physical).
I’d have to agree with most of the above posts. Try what ever you can first.
I’d add that your preference for whistles my also have a relation to your preference for tunes. For me this is noticable in my whistle choices which are Overton and Burkes. Overtons for low whistles(A,F,D), slow airs, and slower tunes. Burkes for my soprano (D,C) whistles where speed and clarity bare emphasis with jigs and reels.
I’d also like to clarify that while Overtons have back pressure they don’t take more air. I also find that because I can lean into my overtons at slow speeds, I can vary the depth of tone and richness of expression. These are priorities in the slow airs, waltzes, etc that I tend to play with the low whistles.
My Burkes (Composite narrow and wide bore regular D, and regular C) have a clearity and quickness of response that lends itself well to ornamenting quick reels and jigs.
So when you consider the timber of the tone of your whistles you might want to consider which tunes you’ll be playing. Burkes simple clear tone handles speed well while Overton’s muli-dimensional tone adds richness to slower tunes.
And which ever you choose …
No problem playing fast on an Overton whistle, though. On the contrary, very sharp and clear players.
Here is Brian Finnegan of Flook, who plays Colin-Goldie Overtons:
http://www.flook.co.uk/tracks/ballybrolly.mp3
from www.flook.co.uk