Who would you recommend as best maker of Low whistles and why? Any bad ones to be careful of?
I think the best low whistle for you depends on your level of playing ability, the size of your hands and your style of play. Usually, I think the best low whistle for beginning low whistlers is a Dixon because it has a low air requirement, pleasing tone and smaller finger stretch. For more experinced whistle players, I seem to see Overtons, Burkes and Copelands recommended the most.
I haven’t met any of the fellows, so I don’t know which is best. Do mean in terms of good looks, charm, or what? 
Just kidding. Which is the best low whistle to buy is what you really want feedback on…
As it’s been said many times on this board, that comes down to taste. Do you want chiff, purity, gravelly, loud, quiet, etc?? What I like may be different from what you do. I’m curious about these wood whistles people have been posting about. I’ve never heard one. People rave about Colin Goldie’s Overtons. I tried one once in a small room and my head rang from the volume on the upper octave. Someone responded to this comment once that he didn’t think that low d was much louder than most. I own a Copeland low d that I’m really happy with. The sound is very distinctive from all other low whistles, which makes me think it wouldn’t be redundant to have a second low d. (For different moods, you know.) I have a Reyburn low d that has an interesting tone, but I have trouble with covering the holes. I think I might on any cylindrical low d. (The Copeland is conical and I have no problem with the reach.) Ideally, you want to try these instruments rather than go by opinions. I’d probably take numerous warnings from many people about a particlar make as valid.
Tony
Well, it’s no secret that I’m
sold on the Copeland low D. I’ve
played Howards, Chieftains, Overtons,
Burkes, Silkstone
but never seen anything that I thought
in the same league (though I think
well of the whistles I just mentioned).
Have a Howard and a Chieftain and
I’ve owned an Overton. Liked the Burke.
The Copeland is now being made in
silver, if you can imagine that…
sorry, duplicate posting
[ This Message was edited by: jim stone on 2002-11-18 23:01 ]
Hi, I’d agree with Tony regarding different opinions on various Low D’s. You’d probably be better to use the search facility, try searching “Low D”. For what it’s worth, I own the following,
Copeland Brass
Kerry Pro (By Phil Hardy)
Dixon 1 piece
I have owned a Chieftain (By Phil Hardy)and tried a Bernard Overton “Overton” My favourite is the Kerry Pro followed by the Chieftain. I have to stress that this is only my opinion.
Cheers, Mac
Jim
Bought a silver D last year and it had to go straight back as it sounded awful. It would have been obvious had they played it. When it came back it was good. Hope thats a one off!
As has been pointed out, Overtons, Copelands, and Burkes are cited most often, probably in that order. Since you’ve crossed Copeland off your list, lemme compare some of the characteristics of the Burke and Overton.
The Burke is a pretty pure-sounding low whistle, while the Overton has the famous growl. Not a breathy sound, but a growl.
The Burke takes quite a bit of air, not an unreasonable amount, nothing like a Shaw or a flute. The Overton, takes very little air, but requires a lot of pressure. I’ve literally had trouble maintaining the upper octave on the Overtons I’ve played.
I would say the volume is comparable between the two – It’s close enough in those that I’ve played side-by-side that it’s probably player dependent.
The Burke is practically clog-proof, whereas the Overton is one of the easier whistles to clog.
Both fine whistles. I much prefer the Burke, but it’s mostly personal preference and a little what I’m used to.
I don’t know if the silver whistle
you sent back to Copeland was a
low D–I expect it was soprano.
The first brass low D Michael
sent me had an intonation problem,
the C sharp was flat. So I sent it
back–they kept trying to fix it
and finally gave up and just
sent me a new one,
which I like very well. This sometimes
happens with Copelands, in my
experience, but they always
make good on them.
I’m back from exams! (well, halway thru) but my Overton came in last week, and boy!
Wins hands down: Overton.