Anyone playing an Alba Whistle?

Ron Rowe · Post by **Ron Rowe** » Mon Aug 20, 2001 12:24 pm

If so what do you think of them?

Jens_Hoppe · Post by **Jens_Hoppe** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 1:49 am

Tried a couple of "low ones" in Hobgoblin in London, when looking for a new low D. Didn't like them very much - something with the tone of the whistle, which was metallic and slightly raspy (and IMO inferior to more or less every other low D I've tried).

In addition, someone has mentioned problems with tuning on some models.

Jens

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jens_Hoppe on 2001-08-21 04:36 ]</font>

Chuck_Clark · Post by **Chuck_Clark** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 7:54 am

I finally saw one in the flesh, so to speak, at Hobgoblibn's booth at Gebhart Woods. It's attractive, I suppose, although I'm not sure I'd want a whistle that looks more like a piece of Dutch pottery. Plus it's pretty pricey.

Ron Rowe · Post by **Ron Rowe** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 7:58 am

My wife is so happy with me right now for writing that tune for her (No Tony, I didn't buy a new expensive whistle and not tell her) that she wants to buy me a new whistle and the alba was one of the ones I was considering. I want something that one of the shops has in stock, I don't want to have to wait months again for a whistle. Guess I'll keep looking.

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 10:40 am

I bought one (a low d) and then returned it, worst whistle I've ever purchased think. The tuning was awful.

Loren

Brian Lee · Post by **Brian Lee** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 11:25 pm

Sindt, Hoover, or perhaps O'Riordan???

The first two, you could probably get pretty fast, and the O'...well, let's just say you won't have to wait months either. (more like years!!)

B~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 8:08 pm

If you buy any thing from Hob goblin some times you have to wait, as if the don't have it in stock they have to order it and most time is they wait till the have severial orders.So why not deal with the maker one to one. it will save time and money as most UK
makers don't charge VAT
wizzy

tuaz · Post by **tuaz** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 10:31 pm

Dale's latest newsletter says the Alba has been improved. Not sure if what he received is an experimental model, or it's already being sold. You might want to clarify this first, since it's not cheap.

Blayne Chastain · Post by **Blayne Chastain** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 11:21 pm

Played a couple in Seattle at Dusty Strings... Horrible...

raindog1970 · Post by **raindog1970** » Wed Aug 07, 2002 12:58 am

A good friend of mine has a soprano D and a low Eb Alba, and they both sound fantastic... or at least they do when he plays them.

I personally have never had the opportunity to play one, but hopefully I'll get to someday.

Martin Milner · Post by **Martin Milner** » Wed Aug 07, 2002 4:43 am

I had a toot on a Bb in Hobgoblin in London. The staff reckon it's the best in the Alba range.

It was nice compared to the Generation Bb, but not nice enough for me to spend £80 plus on when the Generation came in at £3.50.

I generally dislike whistles with metal mouthpieces because of the taste you get off them, though I understand this may dissipate in time. The Alba is metal with a plastic fipple.

drdagmar · Post by **drdagmar** » Thu Aug 08, 2002 2:07 pm

I play a tuneable high d. It is well in tune, has a lovely sound but: it is the loudest whistle I ever heard, it requires very much air. So I do not practice on it at home very often, it can be quite embarassing if you hit the wrong note (as unfortunately I often do...

)because everybody will notice immediately. It is definetely the wrong whistle for a beginner like me and can cause severe headache but I like it anyway. But I like my Overton Low D much better and so I am on Colin Goldies waiting list for a high D ( cannot wait for it to arrive)
Just my two beginners cents, Dagmar

StevieJ · Post by **StevieJ** » Thu Aug 08, 2002 3:15 pm

I had a non-tuneable Bb Alba for a while and I thought it was very good. Very nice looking, lovely airy sound, excellent playing characteristics. Loud, but not overpoweringly so by any means. It did take a lot of air though.

It was given to me and since I had no particular need for it I offered it to a friend. She's a powerful flute player, so the air requirement is no problem for her. She loves the whistle.

Messing · Post by **Messing** » Thu Aug 08, 2002 3:40 pm

Has anybody realised yet, this thread is a year old... I presume Ron has made up his mind by now