LOWer than LowD: ALBA/Overton

joey_schu · Post by **joey_schu** » Fri May 14, 2004 6:09 pm

Ok, I was all set to order a Burke, then I see this monster that ALBA's making. Low C. Anyone have one of these beasts?

And now that I think about it, have I seen a low Bb somewhere, too?

How's it sound? I worry about something with more of the sound of air-moving-thu-a-pipe than of tone. If this is decent, though, it WILL BE my next whistle...

Worth it?

-Joey

joey_schu · Post by **joey_schu** » Fri May 14, 2004 6:16 pm

Ok, I just got back from Collin Goldie's website. He has even more options below D. Where have I been?

Anyone try any of these? I think the Overton Low D is about as breathy as I want to go. These would, I suppose, be even MORE breathy...? But, man, that low G must RUMBLE!

You think moreso than the ALBA Low C?

-Joey

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Fri May 14, 2004 6:35 pm

I know of one or two people that have low C's from Alba. They like them. I am not sure about Overton, but I am sure someone does.

Kuranes · Post by **Kuranes** » Fri May 14, 2004 6:46 pm

Stacy also makes Albas in Low Bb and Low A.

msheldon · Post by **msheldon** » Fri May 14, 2004 7:07 pm

I've got a Low C from Alba. It's a very sweet whistle indeed. I've also got an older Chieftain low Bb whistle. Lots of fun to pull it out and play a jig on, folks at session keep asking what bus I stole the tailpipe from. The C is nowhere near as monstrous as the Bb (the Bb is 4" longer), though you've still got to have decent sized hands.

I know Overton makes the big boys also, and I've heard that Colin will go *very* low on request (G?).

joey_schu · Post by **joey_schu** » Fri May 14, 2004 7:10 pm

hey michael,

how does the alba low c sound in the second octave? is it easy enough to get all the notes up there? are they all in tune?

thanks,

-joey

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sat May 15, 2004 9:07 am

Joey, The Alba Low C is fantastic. I have one and I love it. It has a solid and balanced tone through both octaves and is beautiful and distinctive looking at as well. You should definitely put one of these on your short list.

All notes are easy to play and in tune.

Good luck!
-Paul

Here's some pics:

size comparison to Copeland:

Stacey's cool fipple art: FUN!

pizak · Post by **pizak** » Sat May 15, 2004 11:18 am

Daniel Bingamon of the Jubilee Instrument company is just about to send a Bass whistle out on tour:

http://www.gaeliccrossings.com/forums/v ... .php?t=744

The first is a Bass-G (G below Low D), followed by a Low Low D (D below Low D).

Sounds very cool...

Paul

kevin m. · Post by **kevin m.** » Sun May 16, 2004 1:51 am

I have an Alba tunable low 'C',and they are so manageable for a BIG whistle (and I've got puny mits too),that I sent the headpiece back to Stacey so she can re-fit a LOW Bb and 'A' body to it.
That should be quite some set!!!

Daniel_Bingamon · Post by **Daniel_Bingamon** » Sun May 16, 2004 8:12 am

Stacy joined the ranks of the "Low-down" whistlemakers several months ago. So someone should check out her Low-Low-A.

boyd · Post by **boyd** » Sun May 16, 2004 11:23 am

Joey

I have a low A by Overton...big yoke, but not too heavy on the air requirements.
Takes about half an hour to warm up properly, and needs bigger/fatter fingers than mine for fast playing.

I'll stick to the pipes

Boyd

http://cmrt.org.uk/WALK.HTM

CHIFF FIPPLE · Post by **CHIFF FIPPLE** » Tue May 18, 2004 1:44 am

kevin m. wrote:I have an Alba tunable low 'C',and they are so manageable for a BIG whistle (and I've got puny mits too),that I sent the headpiece back to Stacey so she can re-fit a LOW Bb and 'A' body to it.
That should be quite some set!!!

Yes tis true Keven I'm working on it just now and making a new batch O low C/Bb/A'sby the way thanks for your

patience & PATRONAGE

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Tue May 18, 2004 2:28 am

I have an original model Alba low C, i.e. the type with a Quena-like crescent-shaped blade, and a large head sleeved over the main tube.
Very warm, mellow sound. Booming low end. Very easy finger stretch (better than most low D's I tried). I also had an Overton C, but couldn't handle the wider stretch. I liked its lower breath requirements, but it clogged here in damp cool Bretagne. Then I got the Alba, so I sold the Overton to a piper friend who plays it qute well. I don't look back: a year and a half later, I love this Alba C, and it's all the low C I ever wanted. It's also my favourite aluminium whistle. Though...

Matters get complicated: there's also a newer, simplified design Alba "Q1" low C. Trisha owns one, and I understand she likes it. If it is a bit as good as Alba's high D "Q1" it makes sense. Aarrr, WhOA on me...

Post by **Dale** » Tue May 18, 2004 6:04 am

I briefly played a Low, Low A by Colin Goldie loaned to me by Jim Dunn. It caused cracks in my home's foundation. (I have sued Colin for damages.)

As previously reported, my fingers were not long enough for the task (which makes me feel profoundly adequate in a way more profound than I can describe. This is a second item in my lawsuit against Colin).

I had to run a piece of black electrical tape and cover all of the holes to hear the Low A sound. Then, when I removed the tape, it snapped up and hit me in the eye, temporarily making my eyes water. (Item 3 in the lawsuit.)

The makers of these instruments, and the players who purchase them, might be interested in reading certain papers by Sigmund Freud.

trisha · Post by **trisha** » Tue May 18, 2004 12:16 pm

Alba Q1 Low C...great whistle, plays loud or soft, fast or slow, easy breathe requirements, easy stretch (relatively)!

Overton Bass A - I'm with Dale, there's a Bernard one in my storecupboard...I can more or less finger it bar the bottom note, BUT playing it for any length of time would take serious commitment....and an extendable digit. Back to Freud again.

Trisha

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