The C&F 2003 End-of-Year Inexpensive Whistle Poll

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 5:58 pm

Of all the inexpensive whistles we have played the Walton's Mello D is our favorite. Our absolute favorites cost considerably more than $15 dollars though.

BrassBlower · Post by **BrassBlower** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 7:28 pm

I like Oaks in the keys of D and C, and Gens in the keys of Bb and Eb.

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 7:39 pm

Cranberry wrote:I have severe issues with the Feadóg. The one that I had was so bad out of the box that even Jerry Freeman couldn't tweak it.

Ahem ...

I couldn't tweak it then. I definitely can tweak them now, though. A Feadog has a different timbre than a Generation. More of an edge, huskier.

Best wishes,
Jerry

chas · Post by **chas** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 9:13 pm

I voted for Clare, but would like to split my vote between Clare and Oak. For C, I'd cast an enthusiastic vote for Walton.

Cees · Post by **Cees** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 10:57 pm

Jerry Freeman wrote:
Cranberry wrote:I have severe issues with the Feadóg. The one that I had was so bad out of the box that even Jerry Freeman couldn't tweak it.
Ahem ...

I couldn't tweak it then. I definitely can tweak them now, though. A Feadog has a different timbre than a Generation. More of an edge, huskier.

Best wishes,
Jerry

But, Jerry! That's beside the point. The real issue is that Cran said "even Jerry Freeman couldn't tweak it." This may become the next new phrase in whistledom to describe the absolute worst whistles!!! AND, besides Cran coining a new phrase , it also implies that you are the world's best tweaker!!

jen f · Post by **jen f** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 11:36 pm

Since you asked right now, I voted for the Oak. A couple of months ago, I probably would have said a Sweetone, and a couple of months from now, I might say something completely different! I guess it just depends on my mood.

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 6:54 am

Durign the week I was comparing the latest version of Jerry's 'tweak' with six or so different whsitles, pre 1980 generations in brass and nickel, a new generation, a Darra, an Oak, a Feadog and an old feadog head on a nickel gen tube. They all had their merits and their faults. Some are sweeter, some have more edge, some are slightly louder some require a tiny bit more air [the latest Feadog has a bit more back pressure'. By the end of the day there isn't a huge difference betwen them quality wise, it's the little tonal differences that make them more or less suitable for a specific occasion maybe but I found all the ones I had perfectly playable and well behaved. Interestingly the old Feadog which I didn't care for very much turned out one of the sweetest of the batch after it's head was transplanted to a gen tube.

chas · Post by **chas** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 8:36 am

Peter Laban wrote: Interestingly the old Feadog which I didn't care for very much turned out one of the sweetest of the batch after it's head was transplanted to a gen tube.

I have a Feadog that I really couldn't stand; the sound just seemed kind of muddy. I dropped an Oak and broke the mouthpiece, so tried the Feadog head on the Oak shaft. It's a wonderful whistle; has that husky sound that someone mentioned earlier in the thread, but is somewhat clearer than it was with the original shaft.

peeplj wrote: I voted Oak; however, I think any whistle players collection oughta include at least one if not several of each of the whistles in your poll.

I dunno. . . I think everyone should try all of them if possible. I've tried them all and owned most, but I simply really don't like some. I've given away a bunch of whistles (after having them for a sufficiently long time to learn all of their idiosyncrasies), figuring they deserved to be owned by someone who would play and appreciate them.

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 8:45 am

Walden wrote:
LeeMarsh wrote:If you list Susato, isn't Dixon in the same price range? I'd vote for dixon.
At the Whistle Shop, the Susato D runs $14.50, whereas the Dixon D runs $19, putting it over the price I considered inexpensive.

Sheesh, what a cheepskate! :roll:

Doc

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:14 am

Quote @ Cees

But, Jerry! That's beside the point. The real issue is that Cran said "even Jerry Freeman couldn't tweak it." This may become the next new phrase in whistledom to describe the absolute worst whistles!!! AND, besides Cran coining a new phrase , it also implies that you are the world's best tweaker!!

Yes, my thoughts exactly!

P.S. Why has nobody voted for the LBW?

P.P.S. Why wasn't the $1 Cooperman included in this poll?

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:26 am

Cranberry wrote:P.P.S. Why wasn't the $1 Cooperman included in this poll?

It was one I knocked off because of the poll option limit. I didn't figure it'd be getting any votes anyway, except maybe a pity vote after that scathing review in the recent C&F newsletter!

LeeMarsh · Post by **LeeMarsh** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:50 am

Walden wrote:
LeeMarsh wrote:If you list Susato, isn't Dixon in the same price range? I'd vote for dixon.
At the Whistle Shop, the Susato D runs $14.50, whereas the Dixon D runs $19, putting it over the price I considered inexpensive.

Except in UK (most of Europe) The Susatos are 17 euros, and the Dixons are 12 including 1.75 VAT tax.

I understand you had to draw the line somewhere.

Perhaps we can have a catagory later of Almost in-expensive.

OutOfBreath · Post by **OutOfBreath** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:32 am

Cranberry wrote:P.S. Why has nobody voted for the LBW?

Probably because they tend to be quite horribly out of tune with themselves. At least, the one I own and the two or three others I've had the "opportunity" to play all were. Even I wince when hearing one, and I've got a tin ear

They do have very nice timbre, though, making it even more of a shame about the tuning. Actually, a LBW head on a Feadog (and probably a generation or Oak) body makes a very good whistle.

fiddling_tenor · Post by **fiddling_tenor** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 11:07 am

LeeMarsh wrote:If you list Susato, isn't Dixon in the same price range? I'd vote for dixon.

I second that!

Susatos are okay (my first whistles), but they're not as easy as the Dixons.

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:31 pm

Generations IMHO, can't be beat.(If you get a good one)

I agree with the almost inexpensive vote for Dixon.

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The C&F 2003 End-of-Year Inexpensive Whistle Poll

All things considered, which do you believe is the best of these commonly-available inexpensive whistles.