Preferred Whistles

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 2:18 pm

When I moved, I brought the Syn aluminum and the Busman Delrin, in part because I like both of them quite well, but also because both are physically sturdy, and I didn't worry about throwing them into my carry-on bag.

I've been keeping all of my whistles in their cases, mostly in a big pile on one shelf of my bookcase, and just putting a couple of the tougher ones out on top of the computer, to keep warm. As a result, those are the ones that have gotten the most play in the past. The others mostly came out when I started feeling guilty about not playing them.

Once I get settled, I intend to make a whistle rack that will put all of them out within easy reach. Then I guess I'll find out which ones are my real favorites.

Hornpiper · Post by **Hornpiper** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 2:43 pm

Lately, it's been Michael Copeland (D) and Phil Hardy (Bb, A, low G, F, Eb, D) whistles for me.

Scott McCallister · Post by **Scott McCallister** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:01 pm

Right now the whistles I prefer to play are a tweaked Susato High D (the Bloom-style guitar pick method-- the turtle's head from the pick logo still visible in the tone window!) for practice and a Copeland Nickel D for gigs and sessions. I also spend a fair amount of time playing a Susato Bb MB that has a particularly good sound.

That Guitar Pick Tweak works really well. Made the susato Hi-D jump in preference from about #4 after the copeland, sweetone and clark to #2. I also tweaked a Susato Low D (sweeter tone and no squeeks on octave crossing now)with this method using a thicker Fender Pick,(fender logo still intact) and a gen high G(went form shreeky to manageable up to High high D- (fingered as A) past that it spikes in volume for the last few notes up the scale-- music for dogs.

The Humphries seem pretty popular right now... I'll have to go check them out.

tubafor · Post by **tubafor** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:13 pm

Low whistles: my C#/D/D# Overton set, an Alba D, and an Alba low C/Bb set. Some Dixons and Hoovers down there too, two low F's - a purple/blue Overton and a Chieftain, an aluminum Burke G, a brass Chieftain A, Water Weasels in Ab, A, and Bb, and my favorite Hoover - a low F#.

Higher - Overton C, Hoover Skipole C, WW Db, Hoover PVC D, Silkstone D+ and some odd Susatos - a B/C/D set, an Eb, and their high ones - E,F,G set.

Out of them all, the ones I reach for absolutely first are the Overton C#/D/D# set, the purple Overton F, and the Hoover low F#, with the Alba low C/Bb right alongside.

Cal

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:33 pm

Another vote for Burke...my aluminum D..plus my O Riordan low F/G combo.

RonKiley · Post by **RonKiley** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:55 pm

Since I posted in November my preference has changed slightly. I now reach for my Humphrey Narrow Bore D, Eb set unless I need a quiet whistle then I reach for the Alba Q1. For a lower whistle the Dixon G. I am still looking for the Sweetheart Pro, a Busman and an Alba Low G or F.

Of course all of the others get played from time to time.

Ron

buddhu · Post by **buddhu** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:02 am

A bit of a change here too. I've reluctantly drifted away from the lovely aluminium/abs Dixon and back just to my nickel Feadog C and Ds.

The Dixon is great, but a little cloggy and a fraction quiet.

The Feadogs, on the other hand, just suit me perfectly.

I'd just like to say at this point how much I admire everyone's restraint (in several threads) in not telling me to shut the hell up about nickel Feadogs... :roll:

vomitbunny · Post by **vomitbunny** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:46 am

Humphreys, narrow, wide, and older retro, my favorite feadog (tweaked), and a couple of gens (tweaked) that turned out good. Susato when I feel like using air and playing loud. Oh, and my first whistle, the original clarke. I've just gone back to playing that more lately. It actually compares pretty favorably to anything I have. A bit tweaked.
The Shaw low D gets a bit of playing too. Easy on the hands. Heavily tweaked.
Hoover Bb whitecap and a Meg have been riding in the car for traffic jams and stop lights lately.
I pick up and play almost everything I still have playable from time to time, but those get the most use.

burnsbyrne · Post by **burnsbyrne** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:52 am

The whistle I play 90% of the time is my Sindt D with a Feadog brass barrel on it. The rest of my playing time is divided between a Humphrey narrow bore D and a Clare D.
Mike

Jeff_H · Post by **Jeff_H** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:55 am

I prefer them all! If I'm not risking disturbing the whole house I play my Burke D-BPS or my Freeman Tweaked Sweetone. For quieter playing my Whitecaped Clare Brass D or my nickel Generation C come out.

I've recently received a Dixon low G and a Hoover CPVC low D so I the jury is out on my lows....

Jeff

KDMARTINKY · Post by **KDMARTINKY** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:13 pm

What day is it?

I prefer Lows, but when it comes to a particular whistle I am playing the heck out of my new Alloy Low D by Silkstone, but still faithful to my Chieftain Golds as well.

alespa · Post by **alespa** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:07 pm

Depends on my mood, but my Water Weasel high D gets alot of play time. The volume and tone combined are nice. I can throw myself into it more. My Chieftain Gold mezzo A has a beautiful tone, and sometimes I like to play my Chieftain Gold alto F. I don't usually grab the brass ones though unless I plan to play a bit. I like to play my teak Syns as well, but as I have posted already, I'm sacrificing my multibody set of D-C-Bb, but keeping my lone D, since D's are what I mostly play now. I go through spells playing my Kerry Low D, which has a lovely tone and is easy to play. I have my Hoover whitecaps and one Dixon set off in my "quiet area" and those are great when I don't want to be loud, and I have another Dixon high tuneable, Clarke Original and Generation Eb that I play very little, but enough to keep around.

lyrick · Post by **lyrick** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:19 pm

Almost all of my whistling is done on a Humphrey narrow bore D, a Burke narrow bore brass D, and an O'Briain tweaked Feadog, which I sometimes put on an Eb tube (same with the Humphrey). I like them all, play the Humphrey and Burke the most, but each one has certain tunes that sound best on it, and at different times I prefer the sound of one over the other. The O'Briain is easiest for me to play breathwise, so I often learn tunes on it. Thankfully, I don't have serious WHOA--but I'm waiting for some Sindts, and don't really have the desire for anything else besides a good cheapie.

MikeyLikesIt · Post by **MikeyLikesIt** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:51 pm

I love my new Kerry Low E (Thanks Talbert!!!), so I've been playing that a lot lately. For sessions I play my Burke Low D, and will use my Greenwood D(Thanks Chas!!!) when it comes in the mail on Monday. Got to get used to it quick since I have a get together the next evening where I plan to use it. I also have some tweaked generations in B-flat, E-flat, and C that I fiddle around with every once in a while. I still plan on using my Guiness whistle, as it was my first and plays quite nicely.

lyndamic · Post by **lyndamic** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:45 pm

My preferred whistle is a Sweetheart Pro in Dymondwood (laminated wood).

Whistle isn't my primary instrument. Although I play ITRAD, I prefer the sweetness, purity and smoothness of wooden whistles. Chiff and rasp are two things I can easily live without. Mine isn't overly loud either; I've seen others complain about this. I'd much rather have warm and lovely (imo) than chiffy and pure drop.

I suppose I'm actually a natural-born recorder player in denial.