Sweetheart Professional Model: Some Questions

Eric N · Post by **Eric N** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:29 am

The first things that stands out to me about the Sweetheart Professional Model is the look http://www.sweetheartflute.com/whistles.html . But I really dont know much more about it. Anybody played one? What do you like/dislike about it?

Eric

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:46 am

Here's one place to start: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... ofessional

I've been tempted by it, but now that I know that they aren't very good about replying to email, I'm not sure. There are plenty of makers here on the board who are very responsive--and whose products I haven't tried yet.

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:07 pm

Nice pure tone, but very loud.

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:13 pm

JessieK wrote:Nice pure tone, but very loud.

Louder than a Bleazey?

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:30 pm

One neat feature is that you can buy an optional piccolo head for this whistle and play it crosswise. The tiny embouchure takes some practice, but it's fun to play that way.

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:36 pm

NorCalMusician wrote:
JessieK wrote:Nice pure tone, but very loud.
Louder than a Bleazey?

Yes.

trisha · Post by **trisha** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:27 pm

I got a bargain mint one on ebay...previous owner wasn't sure what it was made of, but the sticker gave it away.

It is very loud as Jessie says and IMO good for sessions etc where you need to be heard and don't want to worry about swabbing out or the effect of damp weather etc on a timber whistle or your alu freezing up. So it's rugged too. Preferable to plastic for those, like me, with a plastic allergy

.

Not sure how to explain this, but it doesn't sound quite like a timber whistle to me, and the whiff of resin is still there...not my favouite whiff. My blackwood Sweetheart Kilhoury stands a fair way higher in my estimation than this, but it's an old model.

Trisha

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 2:07 pm

How is the Killhoury I kind of want a 3 key one.

Eric N · Post by **Eric N** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 2:33 pm

Thank you. At this moment it is between a Sweatheart and a Burke for the one high-end whistle I am going to buy. Is the Sweatheart harsh?

RonKiley · Post by **RonKiley** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 3:30 pm

I played a Sweetheart Rosewood for a few minutes and just loved it. I am a relative beginner but I found this whistle extremely easy to play and with a beautiful sound. I will probably buy one someday soon but a just got a couple of other options. I have never played a Burke. I really want the Busman Birdseye Maple. Time will tell.

Ron

trisha · Post by **trisha** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 3:30 pm

No, but an acquired taste at the very top end (as with many whistles I concede). I'd go the Burke route for now. I love my wide bore brass C and my alu Bb...the alto F is on the transfer list.

I don't have a high D as I prefer alto whistles and have other high Ds that suit already, but there are plenty would recommend them.

Trisha

tommyk · Post by **tommyk** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:01 pm

I'm not sure about the Kilhoury, I think that's been discontinued. But I got my 3-key African Blackwood whistle with an interchangable fife head back at the end of Spring.

I love the thing. I'm still not proficient enough on the fife to really get tons of use out of that yet. But yet.

The whistle is the loudest I own or have ever owned. The keys are very nice additions.

Hang in there. They are VERY busy, but well worth the wait!

waitingame · Post by **waitingame** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:07 pm

Darwin wrote:
I've been tempted by it, but now that I know that they aren't very good about replying to email, I'm not sure. There are plenty of makers here on the board who are very responsive--and whose products I haven't tried yet.

I've owned 3 Sweethearts and they are nice enough instuments IMO especially at the price you can find them preowned but....

Thank you. At this moment it is between a Sweatheart and a Burke for the one high-end whistle I am going to buy. Is the Sweatheart harsh?
Eric N

Yes compared to the Burke and I've always got a reply from Michael who's a great guy.

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:51 pm

I love my Sweetheart Pro, but as several people have said, it is loud. That's one reason I bought it...I needed a whistle with plenty of volume for Morris that had a better sound (to my ear) and look than my Susatos. It's really a nice tooter, but not one for playing when the baby's asleep, that's for sure!

I wouldn't call it harsh, though.

I got a Burke for my birthday, and I'm utterly charmed by it. Wonderful, complex sound. Unless you need one for playing at volume, you might prefer a Burke for now...kinda depends on you.

Redwolf

Eric N · Post by **Eric N** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:58 pm

Thank you for all the imput. I think I will go for the Burke.