What Whistle Sounds Similar (and As Good) as an O'Riordan?

Emrys · Post by **Emrys** » Mon May 31, 2004 4:55 pm

Thanks for the answers about Joanie Madden's whistle choices. Very helpful! OK, so I've called up Pat O'Riordan and spoken with him about his whistles (and many other things -- what a charming man he is!)... but as you already know, there is very little chance of actually being able to buy one any time soon. Which brings me to the point... which other whistles (non-wood) have a similar tone (so sweet and clear!)?

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Mon May 31, 2004 5:05 pm

Well, you could scroll down the page, but here:

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=19871

Jeferson · Post by **Jeferson** » Mon May 31, 2004 5:08 pm

She did say non-wood, Blackhawk. Any other ideas?

Jef

Post by **Dale** » Mon May 31, 2004 5:12 pm

I've just been playing it off and on for a week or two, but I think this new Ronaldo Reyburn kind of approximates the O'Riordan sound.

shadoe42 · Post by **shadoe42** » Mon May 31, 2004 5:23 pm

Got a weblink for those Dale?

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Mon May 31, 2004 5:24 pm

Jeferson wrote:She did say non-wood, Blackhawk. Any other ideas?

Jef

I can't imagine a much better choice than Burke.

TonyHiggins · Post by **TonyHiggins** » Mon May 31, 2004 5:51 pm

Blackhawk, has the sound changed from the older models? My brass Burke narrow bore, which is less breathy than the wide bore, doesn't sound or play like an O'Riordan. It's a fine whistle, but it's different.
Tony

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Mon May 31, 2004 6:12 pm

TonyHiggins wrote:Blackhawk, has the sound changed from the older models? My brass Burke narrow bore, which is less breathy than the wide bore, doesn't sound or play like an O'Riordan. It's a fine whistle, but it's different.
Tony

Tony, it's been too long since I played your O'Riordan, so maybe I'm off base here, but my Burkes (D, C & Bb) are very pure, like my Boisvert, and I remember when you played it, you said it sounded like an O'Riordan. Or maybe I'm hallucinating (kind of a nice break in the day, though).

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Mon May 31, 2004 8:42 pm

We have gone through a TON of different whistles. Mostly we have settled on wooden whistles for most of our playing. There are two whistles that that have continually made it through our personal filter: Alba D and Dixon D with brass tuning slide.

The Alba is not what you are looking for. It has a bit of air noise and chiff.

The Dixon on the other hand is pretty pure and sweet, at least to us. I am keeping it for my briefcase whistle.

I have not tried a Hoover Whitecap D, but my Bb and F are fairly nice too, if on the sensitive side.

If you contact Goldie (Overton) he can tune and adjust the whistle you want to whatever specs you choose.

tommyk · Post by **tommyk** » Mon May 31, 2004 9:41 pm

I'd have to chime in with the "Burke" answer. I played an aluminum O'Riordan C/D set for 10 years and now I play a narrow bore Burke aluminum Pro D. Apart from the Burke being quiter (due to the narrow bore), the sound is quite similar. Perhaps a non-narrow bore aluminum pro would do the trick.

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Mon May 31, 2004 10:08 pm

DaleWisely wrote:I've just been playing it off and on for a week or two, but I think this new Ronaldo Reyburn kind of approximates the O'Riordan sound.

I just got an used Reyburn D/C set, type "LB" (= less breathy, i kid you not). Anyway, these can't be the new model, but they're pretty durn great whistles. I'm curious what changed and if the new model is even better.

g

Brian Lee · Post by **Brian Lee** » Mon May 31, 2004 10:14 pm

Having owned and played a Burke whistle for several years, I can safely say that it played and sounded nothing like an O'Riordan to me. Not even close. I've played both the Concert 9wood) and the Traveller (aluminum) models that Pat makes and while Mike Burke's whistles are indeed wonderful to hear, they are completely different.

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:37 am

Brian Lee wrote:Having owned and played a Burke whistle for several years, I can safely say that it played and sounded nothing like an O'Riordan to me. Not even close. I've played both the Concert 9wood) and the Traveller (aluminum) models that Pat makes and while Mike Burke's whistles are indeed wonderful to hear, they are completely different.

I agree completely.

Byll · Post by **Byll** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 7:08 am

For what it is worth, I come down on the side of Jessie, Brian, and the rest. I own Burkes and O'Riordans. While the instruments are both fine players - precise and articulate - the sound is truly different.

Best.
Byll

tommyk · Post by **tommyk** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 7:18 am

Admittedly, the O'Riordan d/c set I owned was from 1988 on. I actually purchased my set through Lark in the Morning. Although I don't have that set anymore, I have recordings of me playing that set. The O'Riordan set I had and the Burke I have now really do sound very similar. Perhaps, though, O'Riordans of 1988 or so were somewhat different instruments than their later counterparts. (Remember, also, that mine were aluminum with the polymer head joint; no wood.)