Went to a friends house to do some playing/recording Friday and took along many whistles including those for sale and actually had an opportunity to play and have others play them. The Humphrey was sold and I pulled back the Harper which I like very much actually. I have reassessed the Serpent and decided it is not pretty good, it’s just pretty weak, so I’m not going to try to “dump” it on anyone; I’ll sit and look at the coiled Serpents and use it if anyone breaks in to the apartment. That said below are final reduced prices for the remaining whistles:
1- Alba A/G set - this is a beautiful and pristine aluminum set (one head piece) with a marble colored albanite fipple. Lovely tone, breathy, and just not played by me. This assessment remains intact.
2- Alba Q1 - also a little beauty, aluminum with brown albanite fipple; these are supposed to be quiet but I don’t find that to be the case with this one.
All three Albas can be had together for $150.
3- Tully - sterling silver, tuneable, with black delrin fipple, a bit of tarnish which I can clean up if that’s your preference, otherwise as new - #123, which I recently learned is the session model. Had an opportunity to play this one side by side with a Tully quiet model and it was agreed that this one had the edge. Both whistles have what I can only describe as a “raspiness.” Some I know like this attribute and liken it to the traditional sound - I don’t care for it honestly. It does not appear to be a defect as it is consistent across whistles. This whistle also had a slightly better high end, i.e., not shrill. Anyway - $130 takes it.
Please respond via PM or e-mail. This will be the final post from me on this thread. Thanks to all and Happy Holidays.
I don’t know what’s more impressive–the fact that this group is what you are NOT keeping or the candor and economy of your ‘no-nonsense’ descriptions of each one. For the record, the ‘Improved O’Briain D’ whistles originally went for about $35.00, as I recall. (I also remember the rather ‘spirited’ discussion on the Board that attended the release and pricing of these fine whistles.) Had I not, but a mere 36 hours ago, sent off payment for a Tully, I would be jumping on this one, for sure.
As a kindness to you, especially if the group is cluttering up your domicile, I consent to keeping an eye on them here in the Borough that adjoins yours. Really, no charge, indefinite storage, and I will keep them from gathering dust–all except that Low D. I am well aware of my limitations in that regard.
The Feadog website lists their Pro whistle as being $10 (here). I don’t know if this is some form of Irish dollar that I am unfamiliar with, just thought I’d report, since you asked.
Thanks guys. The Tully is a D; the Pro will now be $10. (I got a little ripped when I bought mine I think). I’ll pay shipping on all within the lower 48. Tom - you know you can always borrow what you want…
That’s a great price on the O’Briain Improved, I think they’re about $43 including shipping now. I put mine on the Feadog Pro tube–it’s even brighter and clearer sounding and chirpier than on the standard brass Feadog tube, I love it. Any of you who like the O’Briain Improved, I’d suggest trying the Feadog Pro tube with it.
