Hi. I’m Jim and I’m new and I don’t know any way to ask questions without being annoying…
Here we go. I’m looking at whistles and I was just wondering about nickel and brass. I’ve read the whistle pages in chiff 'n fipple dot com and I just was feeling out what to look for.
Any response will be appreciated. Thanks!
Nickel will have a brighter sound and brass will have a warmer tone to it. Is that what you’re asking?
Hi Jim! It’ll be kinda fun having you around, because most of us don’t know how to answer questions without being annoying. Should be a pretty good match. 
Yes, a lot of people here wonder about nickel and brass. And sterling silver. And wood. And copper. And PVC. And sorta bakelite plastic stuff. You’ll feel at home very quickly.
But, Jimmy, think about this. When you look at the instruction books, or at all those sites selling instruments, most of them call it a TINwhistle. You won’t find any nicklewhistle, brasswhistle, silverwhistle books out there.
As far as what to look out for… I’ll leave that to others.
Stray: Thanks, that is along the lines I was looking for.
Lenf: Thanks for the welcome!
No problem, I’d recommend checking out the Clips&Snips Archive:
http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/
many tunes are posted there and they all mention what kind of whistle they’re played on. That can give you a good idea of the characteristics of specific whistles. Find something you like and go for it.
Good luck!
Hi Jim, welcome to Chiff & Fipple and the exciting world of whistles.
Go to one of the online stores and get:
2 traditional Clarkes, one each in C and D
2 Clarke Sweetones, in C and D
A Clarke Meg
2 Feadogs in D, one brass, one nickel
Several Generations in various keys and materials
A Walton Little Black Whistle in D
A couple regular Waltons in brass and nickel
Any other whistles they have for less than about US$10.
You’ll spend US$100 or so (that “or so” is highly variable) but you’ll have: 1) a whistle collection, 2) a good reason to post on this forum, 3) a huge start on your WhOA and 4) the most fun you’ve ever gotten for a hundred bucks.
We’ll expect a report in about three weeks.
OBTW, welcome to Chiff & Fipple!
Clarke sweeton in D is one of the best cheapies availably but the C version is just crap. It doesn´t sound as good as the D whistle and it´s not in tune.
Thanks everyone for the tips, and I’m making a detailed list so I know what to get! 