Burke Low D Viper vs. Overton Low D

jaredhoyt · Post by **jaredhoyt** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:33 pm

I live in Fayetteville, AR and haven't found anything close to me so far. But I will be in Branson this weekend and was wondering if anyone knew of any shops nearby. I'm looking to buy some new low whistles soon and it'd be nice to be able to hear some before buying on the internet!

Also, me and my wife will be moving to Kansas City soon... anyone know of any shops there?

EDIT My question kinda changed so I'll change the topic title. My new question is on the third post.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Thu May 24, 2007 5:47 pm

Probably not. There is a music store in Eureka Springs,
but I don't think they have whistles.

PM Sillydill and ask about Kansas City.
Also Jayhawk.
Music Folk has stuff in St. Louis, but
you might call first and see if they've
anything.

We can tell you what's good to buy.

jaredhoyt · Post by **jaredhoyt** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:52 am

jim stone wrote:We can tell you what's good to buy.

Well right now I'm torn between a Burke Viper Low D and an Overton Low D. The sound clip on burkewhistles.com for the Viper sounds amazing, but the one on whistlethis.com is so-so. I'm wanting something that sounds very warm and can hit the upper octave well and is very "breathy" I guess you could say. I mainly play backup to slower songs on piano right now.

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:03 am

I'm not aware of any shops selling Irish whistles/flutes (except D whistles) in KC, Branson or Springfield. We do have a nice folk music shop (Mountain Music), but it specializes in stringed instruments...it's where I found my tenor banjo. They tend to have a few higher pitched whistles, but I've not seen a low whistle there (but it's been a while since I visited).

There is a shop in KC in Westport (Sheehan's Irish Imports) which has stocked a low D made by some local person from time to time, but other than that the internet and C&F have been my methods of finding instruments.

We do have an active session scene in KC (3 sessions per month), sometimes more if something pops up, and a few more sessions if you want to drive about 50 minutes. However, I've never seen a low whistle amongst the session regulars. We do have a Chiffer who drops in from time to time (Hi John) who plays low whistles.

Eric

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:34 am

jaredhoyt wrote:
jim stone wrote:We can tell you what's good to buy.
Well right now I'm torn between a Burke Viper Low D and an Overton Low D. The sound clip on burkewhistles.com for the Viper sounds amazing, but the one on whistlethis.com is so-so. I'm wanting something that sounds very warm and can hit the upper octave well and is very "breathy" I guess you could say. I mainly play backup to slower songs on piano right now.

Others may chime in. I don't know the burke viper personally,
though I like mike's whistles. HOwever I do know the overton low D
and it's hard to believe you would go wrong with it.
It sounds warm, it hits the upper octave well (warm it up).
As to breathy, not really; it's the 'cosmic drainpipe' sound.
But it will work behind a piano and it's a standard great
low D.

CranberryDog · Post by **CranberryDog** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:11 pm

I have an Overton. It's warm, a little reedy, mysterious, cosmic; all those things. Warm it up and it will sing. Mike Burke makes excellent whistles, and is known more for a pure tone.

The Overton is one heck of a low whistle; hard to beat.

sponge · Post by **sponge** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:33 pm

The viper clip on the burke site has some serious reverb added so really isnt very accurate, if you go to youtube.com and type in burke low d it will bring up a clip of someone playing a viper with only a small amount of reverb added.

sponge

dfernandez77 · Post by **dfernandez77** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:56 pm

jaredhoyt wrote: Well right now I'm torn between a Burke Viper Low D and an Overton Low D. The sound clip on burkewhistles.com for the Viper sounds amazing...

Last time I listened to the clip for the Low D on the Burke site it had a lot of reverb added post recording. It's not the stand-alone sound of a Burke. The Burke is a very nice Low D (I sold it some time ago). Like any Burke I tried, the DLAPV is a solid performer and easy player. To my ear it has a brassy voice (like a horn) instead of a haunting voice. But that's nothing a mic and a bit of reverb can't change.

The Burke is an easy player (for a Low D) and solid performer.

Currently I have a Bernard Overton Low D. It has an incomparable voice (commonly called "the cosmic drainpipe") and amazing power . It's the old longer tone-hole finger spacing which is hard for me with small hands (I'm thinking of selling it). I understand the new design Overton Low D is much more ergonomic.

I also have a Reyburn Low D. Another whistle with an incomparable voice - haunting like the reverb is built in. I had the bottom hole offset so it is easier for me to play than the Overton I currently have.

So your final choice will probably come down to; what kind of tone you want, what kind of budget you have, and your willingness to practice and learn a pipers grip.

arnie · Post by **arnie** » Fri May 25, 2007 4:00 pm

I can only say something about the Overton. I have one of Bernard, a bit improved after years of use, by Colin Goldie. It's warm, haunting, beautiful sounding, a mythical instrument because Bernard Overton made the first low-whistles ever, also played then by Finbar Furey. I will never sell it, never!

cavefish · Post by **cavefish** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:07 pm

I have an overton low d -it is perfect take the mic great and reverbs and echo. s like a champ---fades air flow nice without early drop-offs------i can hit clear third octave D,s and i believe its an Eb-----XXOXXO-----DAVY SPILLANNE uses these ones---if i were to get another low D i would like to try the kerry songbird -its sounds smooth and warm on the kerry site-------------

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:22 pm

Overton

River Otter · Post by **River Otter** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:02 pm

I gotta put a word in for the Viper. I think it's a really great whistle. I'll give up my Viper when they pry it from my cold dead hands. But if you do pry one from someone's cold dead hands I would suggest washing it out before putting it in your mouth, because that's nasty. People have commented to me when I play it that it sounds rather flute-like for a low whistle. I find that it lends itself well to tone coloring by varying the air stream and oral cavity. Adaptive and responsive.

Adrian · Post by **Adrian** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:27 pm

The answer is staring you in the face - you need one of each!

My first choice is Overton but I'm very glad to also have the Burke Viper. It is a wonderful whistle and very easy to play.

Slayer · Post by **Slayer** » Sat May 26, 2007 1:21 pm

I have Overton Low D from Colin Goldie. It is the perfect instrument, a sound which you will not find more anywhere. Exact build, fast and nimble, I play on it the same fast tunes, as on high whistles. On slow tunes, when I play accompanied by a guitar or bouzoki it forces the some people (girls) to hide eyes that it was not visible tears

I tried different Low D, and all I love Overton more. It - a sound of a legend. If for me will be necessary money is I shall sell in last turn. No, I shall better sell own kidney, than this Whistle!

))

jaredhoyt · Post by **jaredhoyt** » Sat May 26, 2007 3:07 pm

hah, well it sounds overwhelmingly like Overton might be the way to go. I might get a Burke Viper in the future if I can manage to sell my Chieftain... I think I'm still going to order a Composite Low F from him.

About Overtons... 1. Is there a certain type of Overton Low D that is preferable (Bernard or Colin, etc) and 2. What's the best place to order them since I'm in the states?

Thanks for the input guys.