Michael Burk Whistles - Which is Best ???

benbrad · Post by **benbrad** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 6:56 pm

I really would like to order a Michael Burk soprano D whistle but I want to ask you guys in-the-know about it before I do. Aluminum or Brass ??? What are your thoughts and opinions pro and con? Thanks for your help in advance.

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 7:29 pm

Both are equally good. I have brass and love it. Aluminum is a little lighter in weight. Some say it's a tad more responsive and brighter.

My next will be a aluminum something or other. Maybe Bb. Or C. Or maybe a narrow bore D.

raindog1970 · Post by **raindog1970** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 7:55 pm

I prefer the aluminum Burkes because of their lighter weight, and because they don't tarnish like brass.
In regards to tone and playability, there is very little difference between brass and aluminum.

KDMARTINKY · Post by **KDMARTINKY** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:18 pm

I also prefer the Aluminum for its weight and balance qualities. Like I mentioned on another thread. I purchased a Burke Low A from a board member and really like it a lot.

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:36 pm

Could someone explain how the narrow bore is different than the larger bore (other than in diameter

)? Why might you pick one over the other?

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:59 pm

I bought a Brass Pro Sessions whistle three years ago and it is still my favorite.

eskin · Post by **eskin** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 11:29 pm

All of my higher pitch Burkes are brass Session Pro instruments. I don't like aluminum for a high D whistle, it tends to move around in pitch too much as the temperature changes, brass seems more stable, at least in my experience.

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:09 am

Brass black tip is my favorite, bar none.

Philo

Duffy · Post by **Duffy** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:25 am

I've had my brass pro session for two years now. Its the only high end whistle I have and I've had no reason to seriously look for anything else. I tried both aluminum and brass before I purchased and fell in love with the brass. Sorry I can't give a bunch of technical reasons, just like the way it sounds, feels, and even like the tarnish.

alespa · Post by **alespa** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 10:04 am

Of the Burkes, I have played an Al Pro G (alto) and own a DBSBT, the high D Brass Session with Black delrin Tip. I liked both, and had posted a poll here weeks ago, and you might want to look at some of our members comments. I like the brass myself, and am glad I bought it

I certainly don't mind the tarnishing. In a way, there's something nice about it.

matt

dapple · Post by **dapple** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 10:20 am

I prefer the aluminum Burkes because of their lighter weight, and because they don't tarnish like brass.
In regards to tone and playability, there is very little difference between brass and aluminum.

So, Gary, do you think that someday you will make aluminum-barreled whistles?

Bretton · Post by **Bretton** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:44 pm

I like the brass...I like the tarnish, the weight, the feel, the color...
I just don't get too excited by aluminium...

-Brett

Ridseard · Post by **Ridseard** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:35 pm

Cynth wrote:Could someone explain how the narrow bore is different than the larger bore (other than in diameter )? Why might you pick one over the other?

My Brass NB takes less air and is a little quieter than my Brass Session. Otherwise, they are very similar in response and tone quality.

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:46 am

Thank you Ridseard---that was a real puzzlement for me.

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:34 pm

My narrow-bore aluminum high D (DAN black tip), is probably my favorite out of 20 high Ds that I've owned so far. I also have a brass wide-bore C that I like a lot. The C has a somewhat less pure sound, but plays about the same as the D. With material, bore, and key all different, it's impossible to pin down the reason for the difference in sound to a single factor.