What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:09 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Hi,
I'm looking to buy a soprano (preferably D) whistle that I can play with friends on the street.
It should be fairly loud, wind resistant, and, of course, well built and well tuned.
Preferably, it should also have a nice sound in the both the low and high range.
My budget is around $200, though I can go a bit over for a really good fit.
Thanks in advance!
Joel
I'm looking to buy a soprano (preferably D) whistle that I can play with friends on the street.
It should be fairly loud, wind resistant, and, of course, well built and well tuned.
Preferably, it should also have a nice sound in the both the low and high range.
My budget is around $200, though I can go a bit over for a really good fit.
Thanks in advance!
Joel
- ecohawk
- Posts: 724
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:42 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 12
- Location: Beautiful San Francisco, CA USA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Parks has several PVC/Polymer models and wil be your lowest cost for an excellent whistle. Well under your budget.
Tommy Dion makes really nice PVC/Polymer models for slightly more.
Milligan makes great whistles in both delrin or dymonwood in your price range
Busman makes incredible whistles in delrin or dymonwood for slightly more.
There are others but I'm not remembering them right now.
Actually, any whistle made can be played outside as long as it's not raining. I imagine all of us play our instruments outside. Those listed above are synthetic so they would be more weather resistant. Wind resistance is difficult to measure since it doesn't come up much. I'd guess the Parks would be good for this. The Wander Whistler has a website where he rates instruments for wind resistance. You might check there.
ecohawk
Tommy Dion makes really nice PVC/Polymer models for slightly more.
Milligan makes great whistles in both delrin or dymonwood in your price range
Busman makes incredible whistles in delrin or dymonwood for slightly more.
There are others but I'm not remembering them right now.
Actually, any whistle made can be played outside as long as it's not raining. I imagine all of us play our instruments outside. Those listed above are synthetic so they would be more weather resistant. Wind resistance is difficult to measure since it doesn't come up much. I'd guess the Parks would be good for this. The Wander Whistler has a website where he rates instruments for wind resistance. You might check there.
ecohawk
"Never get one of those cheap tin whistles. It leads to much harder drugs like pipes and flutes." - anon
- MTGuru
- Posts: 18663
- Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:45 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Location: San Diego, CA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
The Susato S-bore D is a fine outdoor whistle. Weatherproof, sturdy ABS plastic. Loud, outdoor sound. Tuneable, and in tune. Wind resistant - I tested it once by playing into a fan. Less temperature sensitive than metal, not prone to cracking like wood. $43 from the maker.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
- Jayhawk
- Posts: 3907
- Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Well, just trying to update my avatar after a decade. Hope this counts! Ok, so apparently I must babble on longer.
- Location: Lawrence, KS
- Contact:
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
I will second MTGuru's recommendation of a susato. since it is quite a bit cheaper than your too price, go mad and get the kildare model engraved with celtic knotwork and your name.
I play a susato kildare in D out at our renaissance festival and it is the perfect outdoor whistle.
Eric
I play a susato kildare in D out at our renaissance festival and it is the perfect outdoor whistle.
Eric
- Feadoggie
- Posts: 3940
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:06 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: Stout's Valley, PA, USA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Lots of good suggestions to consider so far.
I've used a Kildare S-series D for the combat duty situations for many years. One characteristic, beyond what has been mentioned already, that makes it work for me is that I can rotate the head to keep the window out of the wind when necessary. (That's also true of many whistles.) But I'll third MTGuru's suggestion of a Kildare S-series.
I have also been impressed with the newer Susato Oriole model whistle. I've got Orioles in a couple of keys now. They retain the good characteristics of the Kildare S-series whistles (volume, tone, tuning, weather resistance) but at a price of under $20 direct from the maker. While I have not used it in gale force winds yet, I expect it will be as equally useful as my trusty Kildares.
http://www.susato.com/konakart/Pennywhi ... 3_-1_11.do
The only part of these whistles that needs to be protected from hazards is the edge of the labium. It is thin and sharp and can be deformed with little force. I've nicked a couple but sometimes that just adds character to the tone of the whistle.
You can still buy a Busman or a Millligan with the money you save anyway.
Feadoggie
I've used a Kildare S-series D for the combat duty situations for many years. One characteristic, beyond what has been mentioned already, that makes it work for me is that I can rotate the head to keep the window out of the wind when necessary. (That's also true of many whistles.) But I'll third MTGuru's suggestion of a Kildare S-series.
I have also been impressed with the newer Susato Oriole model whistle. I've got Orioles in a couple of keys now. They retain the good characteristics of the Kildare S-series whistles (volume, tone, tuning, weather resistance) but at a price of under $20 direct from the maker. While I have not used it in gale force winds yet, I expect it will be as equally useful as my trusty Kildares.
http://www.susato.com/konakart/Pennywhi ... 3_-1_11.do
The only part of these whistles that needs to be protected from hazards is the edge of the labium. It is thin and sharp and can be deformed with little force. I've nicked a couple but sometimes that just adds character to the tone of the whistle.
You can still buy a Busman or a Millligan with the money you save anyway.
Feadoggie
I've proven who I am so many times, the magnetic strips worn thin.
- ecohawk
- Posts: 724
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:42 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 12
- Location: Beautiful San Francisco, CA USA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Why do I always forget Susato? I clearly need therapy . I think it's because when I was doing my early research I kept reading about how loud they are and that made me a little shy about them. Of course since then I've bought some of the loudest whistles made and they are among my favorites. Sorry for the momentary digression. Definitely put this in the mix.
ecohawk
ecohawk
"Never get one of those cheap tin whistles. It leads to much harder drugs like pipes and flutes." - anon
- Mr.Gumby
- Posts: 6629
- Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:31 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Location: the Back of Beyond
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Definitely susato, no point wasting money on anything more expensive.
One winter's afternoon a few years ago I went for a quick walk up the Cliffs of Moher. Michael Galvin, who is one of the people busking there often, was playing a Susato at the entrance of the Cliffs, just past the visitor centre. Walking southward along the cliff edge I could still hear him play and hear what tune he was playing well over a half a mile away). A gale from the north may have helped carry the sound though.
One winter's afternoon a few years ago I went for a quick walk up the Cliffs of Moher. Michael Galvin, who is one of the people busking there often, was playing a Susato at the entrance of the Cliffs, just past the visitor centre. Walking southward along the cliff edge I could still hear him play and hear what tune he was playing well over a half a mile away). A gale from the north may have helped carry the sound though.
My brain hurts
-
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:11 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: I play high and low whistle with Traditional Irish Music being my focus of interest. I love Irish music and consider it as a direct connection to my Irish heritage. I enjoy participation in whistle tours, chatting with other players, and learning much from the many talented folks that frequent C & F.
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
PM Sent.
Cayden
Cayden
"TEAM TRAD" Pro Staff
Official Life Member of DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY
"Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, and Andrea Corr, each a Whistle Goddess in her own right"!
Official Life Member of DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY
"Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, and Andrea Corr, each a Whistle Goddess in her own right"!
- bogman
- Posts: 516
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:27 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 10
- Location: N.W. Scotland
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Susato is probably the answer, though in strong hot sun I found the black ones to have terrible tuning problems. White ones should be better.
- Feadoggie
- Posts: 3940
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:06 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: Stout's Valley, PA, USA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Hmmm? I've never noticed any temperature issues with the black ones playing year round out of doors from Florida (and it does get hot there) to Maine. What exactly is the tuning problem you've had? Might it be a humidity issue? Inquiring minds want to know.bogman wrote:Susato is probably the answer, though in strong hot sun I found the black ones to have terrible tuning problems. White ones should be better.
Susato presently offers the Kildares in both black and their reddish brown color. I think the ivory color is now reserved for laser engraved models which adds about $20 to the purchase price. I have not run across a new Kildare whistle in white for many years. Dublins are still available in ivory AFAIK. And the Oriole is a brownish color.
I just can't think where the color would matter much in my experience.
Feadoggie
Last edited by Feadoggie on Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I've proven who I am so many times, the magnetic strips worn thin.
- MTGuru
- Posts: 18663
- Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:45 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Location: San Diego, CA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
When the predator drone patrolling overhead zaps you with its anti-busking heat ray, the black ones will melt sooner, a few seconds before your hair catches fire.Feadoggie wrote:I just can't think where the color would matter much in my experience.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:09 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
Thank you, everyone, for your quick response and thorough explanations. This has been most helpful.
The votes for a Susato Kildare seem to echo unanimously!
Thanks again. What a great forum
The votes for a Susato Kildare seem to echo unanimously!
Thanks again. What a great forum
- Feadoggie
- Posts: 3940
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:06 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: Stout's Valley, PA, USA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
The authorities are so much better funded on the west coast it would seem.MTGuru wrote:When the predator drone patrolling overhead zaps you with its anti-busking heat ray, the black ones will melt sooner, a few seconds before your hair catches fire.
I've proven who I am so many times, the magnetic strips worn thin.
- Steve Bliven
- Posts: 2980
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 2:06 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA
Re: What would be a good outdoor whistle? (up to about $200-$250
They have reason to be...Feadoggie wrote:The authorities are so much better funded on the west coast it would seem.
Best wishes.
Steve
Live your life so that, if it was a book, Florida would ban it.