One other interesting fact I have come across is that within a range of instruments from a particular maker, one may be exceptionally good while one or more of the others is a dog. For example, most know of my extreme dedication to my Bleazey Mopani set:colomon wrote:No whistle is going to make every player happy.
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... ht=bleazey
While they are all VERY good instruments, not every one is a whistle I would pick up every time. The low D is to die for, the High D and the A are very good for my playing style and tastes. At least one of the others has a characteristic that I have been trying to nail down so that I can talk to the maker about it to get it resolved or learn how to play it better. While I am on the subject, I should say the same is true about my Overton set too. I have also read others that say that about O'Riordans.
I think this is one of the factors that control the press some makers get. If you pick up one of the better models from that maker (at least in THAT persons opinion), and no others, your opinion is focussed on the postitive. On the other hand, if you get one of their less well designed models, you will more than likely be swayed to say negative things.
I hope I got my intended point across in this and that I have not rehashed something already discussed.