Both are low D.
David
It bugs me when I hear of premium makers being inconsistent. I’m obviously not bugged by the people saying it. It just makes me sad that I will preach how good I think a whistle is, and then someone could get it and end up not getting what I was describing.
Whats weird with ones like MK, is the machining is obviously extremely precise. So I don’t get how there could be so much variation. But this isnt the first time I’ve heard of Mk’s having a large variance in how they play. Which makes me wonder, is it more of a model change, or is it actually just a large variance in each. Because I know its gone from Brass on brass to tape slide. so I wonder if any windway dimensions have changed aswell. And then that could explain part of the variance.
I have a no tape slide on mine, and it has a strong low end. So I’m hoping the new ones still have the strong low end, because I think they use a tape slide now. Unless I’m mistaken. So it could be a changed model. Not sure though.
Or MK’s actually just have big variance with no intentional model changes. And that would be pretty bad. Because half of why people pay the large price tag for the big name makers is you know what your getting. If the quality control isnt there thats pretty disappointing. Because I know every Burke and Goldie you buy, is going to play exactly as intended.
Hopefully someone has more information on which of these it is.
Funny how this thread starts out about Dixon’s whistle & ends up as a discussion about MK whistles… 
I hope the original poster got the answer they were after. 
Since the question was posted which low D plays nice and easily into the 2nd octave – of all the ones I have, the V5 by kerrywhistles is one of the easiest to play in my collection (I do have the Dixon plastic and: V4, Thunderbird, TWZ low D, Qwistle, Howard, Dixon “trad” brass low D and MK Kelpie). The MK Kelpie also plays rather easily and has a slightly more “dirty” sound than the V5 but also is a bit louder. I think the closest in sound to the Dixon is my TWZ low D but that is a very peculiar whistle in itself. I don’t think many people here have one besides myself 
. It a very basic one-piece brass tube with a wooden block. I like it because it is so different from any other design. And I have all the 3 different high D whistles from TWZ which are excellent.
https://www.tinwhistle.de/low-whistles/lucy-adams-low-whistles/lucy-adams-low-whistles.php
They call it “Lucy Adams” but I don’t think that is a maker’s name – TWZ makes them and it is just the name of the whistle.
Interesting, I saw this video with the TWZ and I loved the sound https://youtu.be/Yj7Mu_5x3tU
I’m a bit skeptical about brass and wooden block because I’m irrationally nervous about moisture, sweat, spit etc. damaging my whistles (I mostly have plastic whistles besides my carbony and freeman tweaked whistles) but I’m now intrigued about this whistle.
Is the one in the video the same you have? If so, I’m interested in hearing more about it.
Yes, that’s the one. The one in the video seems to be the tunable version, mine is not tunable but that is the only difference. The wooden block is made of hardwood and despite the fact I rarely ever play any of my low whistles anymore (switched to the flute) there seems to be zero shrinkage of the block. If you don’t store it wet I think there would be no issue with the wood. It takes little air. The brass has a lot of patina – I can take some pics tomorrow, maybe even post a video but I haven’t posted one in a long time.
I think it might be slightly overpriced considering the rather simple design – compared to something like a Chieftain V5 for example. On the other hand – there are not that many brass low Ds out there. The Howard, the TWZ and the discontinued Dixon “trad”. And a few custom made models from Phil Hardy.
It’s hand-made and there might be some variation of course. I every only played the one I have.
I’d appreciate a video a lot but if it’s too much trouble, no pressure.
Actually, taking a closer look on big screen, even the fipple looks totally different between the whistle in the video and the website so I’m not sure if it’s the same one after all. I couldn’t find a whistle on the site that looked like the one in the video.
It’s the same whistle. The one I linked and the one in the video. The only difference is that the one in the video is tunable. The “window” of the mouthpiece is just a hole slightly bent inwards to form a blade. Very similar to the construction of a Clarke whistle.
Okay – took a closer look again and I think you are right – looks like the construction is slightly different – it has a kind of sleeve that forms the windway like on their high whistles. I think that one is no longer made.
https://www.tinwhistle.de/images/twzaljo_2011.jpg
So – after playing the TWZ for some time today, I don’t think I’d recommend it over the Dixon low D. It does have a very similar sound, yes. But it also suffers from the same weaknesses. Rather weak bell note and the holes are way larger than on the Dixon, so harder to seal – that in itself might lead to more squeaks. Even I had difficulties closing the holes quickly and properly and I have large hands.
But I “rediscovered” my V5 from kerrywhistles and that one is a real gem. Easy to play, great tuning, very “stable” – no squaks or squeals. But it also has a slightly purer sound than the Dixon. Not as “wailing” and “haunting” but still with some breathiness. I think it’s a great whistle overall. Highly recommended.
Interesting, good to know. I had a Thunderbird F and Busker Bb and they were both the squeakiest whistles I’ve ever played. Doing virtually anything started with a sharp noise. They might have been very short, in things like cuts, but they were still there and really bugged me. So I’m assuming the V5 is more like my MK/Reyburn G/Burkes in that its virtually impossible to get sharp noises. I have no idea what makes some whistles get this and others not. But I really appreciate the ones that dont. I’ve wanted to try a V5 I just feel bad buying another low D haha.
The V5 is very similar to the MK. Just a little cleaner sound and the notes cannot be “pushed” like on the MK. On my Kelpie I can blow a little harder before the note “breaks” into the 2nd octave. Not sure what the right word would be but it seems more “elastic” which makes it a bit more expressive but also leaves more room to blow the notes out of tune. That’s maybe the biggest difference betwen my V5 and MK Kelpie.
My Thunderbird low D does not squeak however. It just takes insane amounts of air due to the wide windway. Latter models were improved in that aspect. I wish I had gotten the improved version just before Phil Hardy stopped selling them. I hope he might make them again at some point. But maybe he will come out with a “Busker” low D. Since he already offers them down to F.