O'Riordan Isn't Taking New Orders Right Now

jluckett · Post by **jluckett** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 1:38 pm

I just called Patrick O'Riordan to order one of his whistles, and he very politely told me that he has enough orders right now to keep him busy for the next two years. He's not accepting new orders at the present time.

I'm very disappointed because I've heard his D whistle played & it's beautiful.

If anyone can recommend a whistle of a similar quality, I'd appreciate the advice!

MarkB · Post by **MarkB** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 2:03 pm

Woooooooooopppppppeeeeeeeee

Ahem! Excuse me for my joyfulness.

That is really sad to hear, they are such excellent whistles, everyone should have the chance to own and play one.

I have a concert set D/C in cocobolo which I have owned for eight years. One O'Riordan wooden whistle in D sold for $600 on e-bay late last year. My set just made my pension plan.

MarkB

lixnaw · Post by **lixnaw** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 3:13 pm

to my ears burke's sound best and play best. www.burkewhistles.com
have a listen at www.tinwhistletunes.com

Tyghress · Post by **Tyghress** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 3:21 pm

I find it interesting that you asked for 'similar quality' not 'similar sound'.

Many of the wooden whistles are of similar quality, but the O'Riordan is by far the most solid, heaviest instrument I have. Michael Cronnolly of M&E is making one now of similar heft, greater volume.

I agree that the Burke whistles are superb, especially for the value. But they are not wood.

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 3:29 pm

I'm curious about this heft phenomenon.

Would one of you folks who have an O'Riorden be able to make a fairly precise measurement of the wall thickness and bore of a soprano D O'Riorden?

I would be looking for measurements within about 1/64th of an inch (that's a fourth of a 16th of an inch). Most rulers show 16th divisions, so you can eyeball it pretty close to 1/64th tolerance.

Thanks!
Jerry

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 3:45 pm

Tyghress wrote:I agree that the Burke whistles are superb, especially for the value. But they are not wood.

I find it interesting that you assumed the original poster was looking for a wooden O'Riordan. Many of us play (and prefer) his non-wooden whistles.

That said, Burke whistles neither play nor sound like O'Riordans, of any sort. They are wildly different whistles.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 4:20 pm

I heard from a long time whistler (an exceptionally talented whistler) that Abells are even better.

Actually I can't imagine a better whistle than a Burke, though.

Bretton · Post by **Bretton** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 7:05 pm

I've about given up on taking anyone's 'word' for how good a whistle is. Either:

1. the expensive high-end whistles vary quite a bit (certainly a possibility), or

2. people have incredibly different preferences about what they want in a whistle and/or how they play the whistle (making it sound/play differently for them than it does for me)

After having tried multiple whistle from some of same makers (and finding the whistles very similar), I suspect that #2 accounts for much of this.

-bp

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 7:13 pm

jluckett,
in the other thread you say that you've been at it for 4 1/2 months. My advice is to stick with Generations or Feadogs (or sweetones, if you like their sound). There is much information here on C&F if you want to make them a bit sweeter and better. Learn to make those whistles sing first.

Listen to the music a lot and go find players in your area. Try other players' whistles.

If you insist on spending money, get on the waiting list for a Sindt.

Oh, and don't take the advice of people on c&f.

chas · Post by **chas** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 7:31 pm

blackhawk wrote:I heard from a long time whistler (an exceptionally talented whistler) that Abells are even better.

Actually I can't imagine a better whistle than a Burke, though.

Bretton wrote:I've about given up on taking anyone's 'word' for how good a whistle is. Either:

1. the expensive high-end whistles vary quite a bit (certainly a possibility), or

2. people have incredibly different preferences about what they want in a whistle and/or how they play the whistle (making it sound/play differently for them than it does for me)

After having tried multiple whistle from some of same makers (and finding the whistles very similar), I suspect that #2 accounts for much of this.

-bp

I'm certainly not an exceptionally talented whistler, but I have a half-dozen D whistles that I like better than my Abell. There are a few people on this board whose opinions I greatly respect who think their Abells are the best whistles out there, and one in particular who has quite similar taste in whistles to mine. In this case, I think it's differences among hand-made whistles. I know also that she bought a Wilson partly on my recommendation and returned it; she wouldn't have returned the one that I play. Also, I consider my Thin Weasel C among the best whistles on the planet, whereas the first one that Glenn sent me didn't thrill me (I had ordered macassar, but he mistakenly sent blackwood).

I agree that taste has a lot to do with it, though. Outside the Bb, I've never met a Generation that I liked, and I've played many. I've played Overton low-D's side-by-side with Burkes and liked the Burkes better, same with the low-G's. I wouldn't ever say that Overtons are not great whistles, though, just that they're not to my taste.

All the people with different tastes are what contributes to the great veriety of whistles and music available. After all, if we were all the same, we'd have nothing to talk about.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 7:50 pm

Bloomfield wrote:
Oh, and don't take the advice of people on c&f.

That's the best advice I've ever seen here. Like my dad always said back in the good old days, If you want three opinions, just ask two C&Fers.

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 7:59 pm

It definitely is both the incredibly different preferences of players AND the differences in handmade instruments.

For instance, I've tried enough Burkes to know that Burke whistles are not for me. They feel mushy and are completely unsatisfying. Ick. (The exception is the low D, which is decent and very easy to play.)

On the other hand, I do know some good whistle players that like them. They are well made instruments.

raindog1970 · Post by **raindog1970** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 8:42 pm

First let me say that it is a sad day indeed when the great Pat O'Riordan stops taking orders... and I hope the situation is only temporary, and due to his very long waiting list and not because of any health problems.
Second, being a whistle maker myself, I can really relate to the issue of consistancy from one whistle to the next.
Even when using precision machinist tools and keeping tolerances within a few thousandths of an inch, the crazy things will still vary... sometimes considerably.
I know it sounds silly, but it's almost as if they have individual personalities.

Byll · Post by **Byll** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 4:45 am

Gary: I spoke with Pat, last evening. He sounded happy, as is his way. I could hear him smiling through the phone lines...

Best to all on this Friday the 13th.
Byll

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 5:56 am

raindog1970 wrote:Even when using precision machinist tools and keeping tolerances within a few thousandths of an inch, the crazy things will still vary... sometimes considerably.
I know it sounds silly, but it's almost as if they have individual personalities.

Yeah , what he said! In any given batch, each whistle usually comes out a bit different in some undefinable way.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

O'Riordan Isn't Taking New Orders Right Now

O'Riordan Isn't Taking New Orders Right Now

o'riordan isn't taking new orders right now.