Which low G?

krystlepye · Post by **krystlepye** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 10:26 pm

I may have an unexpected paycheck coming my way, so of course my first thought is what do I want to add to my collection??!

I'd like a Low G, in either aluminum or delrin/composite/whathaveyou.
I love playing my low D, and can manage it with Piper's grip quite well, but sometimes maintaining the stretch is more effort than I care for. I'm looking for more of a pleasure craft this time around, in a key that I know will see use with the groups I play in.

"Free blowers" need not apply. I like some economy.

As for tone, I like some complexity, but love a clearer high register. I don't want a lot of breathiness.

Responsiveness is a priority. I don't know how this plays out in this range of whistle (I assume a G would be more responsive than my PVC low D, right?) but I thought I should mention it.

What are we thinking? I was looking at Burkes and Brackers.

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 12:06 am

krystlepye wrote: Responsiveness is a priority. I don't know how this plays out in this range of whistle (I assume a G would be more responsive than my PVC low D, right?) but I thought I should mention it.
What are we thinking? I was looking at Burkes and Brackers.

Burke makes an excellent whistle of any material he makes them from. Lets not confuse the key of a whistle with what it is made of. Whistlesmith makes his whistles from only pvc and all the whistlesmith whistles I have tried are slow response/pop not in tune. You will not be disappointed with a Burke in any Key of the material you choose from him. Great whistles can be made from anything from ski poles to cardboard. Mac Hoover makes some from ski poles, brass, PVC or wood. With the correct measurements a fine whistle can be made of many materials.

Sirchronique · Post by **Sirchronique** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:19 am

My favourite low G is the Lofgren, which fits everything you mention (pictures 2nd from left in my avatar). Not so easy to get right now, I don't think.

Burkes are great, but they are more free blowing/little back pressure. Still, at a key as high as low G , you are not using up a ton of air. I don't see it as an issue on it.

Reviol is also great. It's also free blowing, but it uses little air and is pretty economical because you are blowing very softly. Although there is little resistance, you aren't putting much air through it.

You could also message Colin Goldie to see if he can make something that would fit the bill.

Lars Larry Mór Mott · Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:29 am

Can't comment on Bracker since i've never tried one. Had a Burke low G though and sold it. Although very nice in tune and everything it had a very bland sound IMO.
I'd recommend a Löfgren or a Goldie soft blower (Goldies soft blowers actually have more back pressure than most whistles

)

Derek Blackwell · Post by **Derek Blackwell** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:22 am

I recently got a Carbony G I'm very happy with. Interesting lightweight indestructible eco carbon material, tapered bore and sounds very wood like. I've never found a low G (or low F) that sings quite so easily in the high range, right up to the 3rd 8ve. The F was a bit too breathy sounding for me, the G less so, so I got the G. I'd say it's medium on air requirements/backpressure, and reasonably efficient - I'm able to play some fairly long phrases on it. The holes are bit on the small side, so it's bit challenging to half hole, but extremely responsive.

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 4:19 am

Keep your eye out for a used Water Weasel by the late Glenn Schultz. Mine is astounding.

O'Briant · Post by **O'Briant** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 4:49 am

To add to the thread, I also have an alba low g and a jerry freeman low g. The alba has a lovely, complex tone but is not predictable in transitions to the upper register. The Freeman low G is really pretty great for the price (appx $50) and one of my favorite whistles (along with his A -- both are modified Gen Bb heads on pipes of his own making).

pancelticpiper · Post by **pancelticpiper** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 4:52 am

Sorry my Low G experience is pretty limited. I use a Burke, clear pure and freeblowing but thus lacking 'dirt' and complexity.

A Colin Goldie will give you plenty of complexity, and is the choice of most professionals.

Too bad MK doesn't make a Low G. But they make a great Low F!

maki · Post by **maki** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 5:21 am

I haven't tried a Bracker G, but if they are half as good as his high d and low d, then
it should be outstanding.
Most though not all custom whistle maker can tweak their whistle to suit customer
preferences. Colin Goldie is a prime example.
On the lower end of the price spectrum, I've never been disapointed by Mack Hoover or
Jerry Freeman.

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:12 am

brewerpaul wrote:Keep your eye out for a used Water Weasel by the late Glenn Schultz. Mine is astounding.

I was actually playing mine when I read this. It's a fantastic whistle, one of my favorites.

whistlecollector · Post by **whistlecollector** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 9:36 am

colomon wrote:
brewerpaul wrote:Keep your eye out for a used Water Weasel by the late Glenn Schultz. Mine is astounding.
I was actually playing mine when I read this. It's a fantastic whistle, one of my favorites.

I think it would be hard to overrecommend Mr Schultz's work. I have a low G thin weasel and love it, filled cracks and all! Beautiful tone and extremely high craftsmanship.

I think for the OP, any kind of low g weasel will be difficult to find and may also be out of budget, as will many other fine whistles. I heard Mr Hoover's name mentioned earlier and will certainly add a recommendation for his work! As a matter of fact, I would certainly take along my Hoover narrow bore high d if I had to be stranded on a desert island. I have a Hoover low G and like it as well, though my favorite low G thus far remains the Barnett Samuel & Sons, lead plug and all. I guess if that whistle ended up on the desert island, I'd have to have along a lifetime supply of clear coat nail varnish!

I think one thing this thread has demonstrated, yet again, is that when you ask fifty whistle players for their opinion on the best whistle, you will be sure to get at least one hundred forty-three different recommendations!

Cheers, and do let us know what low G you end up with!

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 9:44 am

I'd also recommend a Goldie G. He makes two bore sizes I believe, his standard and a "narrow" bore. Here's a clip of what sounds to me like the standard bore G. Not me playing, another board member though, I think.
http://youtu.be/-vFNUEJv9os

Peter Duggan · Post by **Peter Duggan** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:46 am

maki wrote:I haven't tried a Bracker G, but if they are half as good as his high d and low d, then it should be outstanding.

I've got one and it is! Also now my only Alto G since selling my (Bernard) Overton low D, G and A because I simply stopped playing them when I got my Brackers.

whistlecollector wrote:I think one thing this thread has demonstrated, yet again, is that when you ask fifty whistle players for their opinion on the best whistle, you will be sure to get at least one hundred forty-three different recommendations!

Yep, a typical 'which whistle?' thread!

krystlepye · Post by **krystlepye** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:50 pm

Peter Duggan wrote:
whistlecollector wrote:I think one thing this thread has demonstrated, yet again, is that when you ask fifty whistle players for their opinion on the best whistle, you will be sure to get at least one hundred forty-three different recommendations!
Yep, a typical 'which whistle?' thread!

Which is why these threads are awesome! What better way to do whistle reasearch

krystlepye · Post by **krystlepye** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:56 pm

Honestly, I am having a hard time not just ordering an MK in F. I emailed him and asked about the G's but he said they are still working out the kinks and have no projected availability date. I just won't be able to use F as often with the band. Unless I write us some songs in F... But it would make a great "play because I love to play" instrument.

I've also sent an email out to Bracker asking about air requirements on his G. And I've been thinking long and hard about just going for a goldie, but that four month wait is more than I can handle right now. In the future as I build my collection, I will definitely be adding a goldie... maybe in Low E or even A. When I have a few other nice whistles around, the wait for the Goldie won't be so hard

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