First high-end whistle!

Krasnojarsk · Post by **Krasnojarsk** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:49 am

Hello all!

I've been playing the tin whistle for approx. 10-11 years, I'm 21, and I'm planning to venture into the 'high-end' spectrum of whistle buying.
Now my main instruments have always been oboe and guitar, and I've been spending most of my instrument money on those things, but I've decided I could do with a nice, quality tin whistle as well. (pretty much since I can't afford an uilleann pipe, but that's another story.) So, having been consumed by guitar obsessing, I haven't yet touched the deeper world of whistles.

To put it short: I like Planxty (among so many other bands). I like the tone of Liam's whistle on the live DVD 'Planxty live 2004' and I would like something similar, 150$ (roundabout £80 for you Brits) is pretty much my top budget limit (struggling student...), being an oboe player I could do with a whistle with some amount of back pressure, it can't be all to loud since I live in a student room with fairly thin walls. (But if the tone is great I could live with loudness.)

OK, I didn't put it short, but to really put it short: you have 150$ to spend on whistle, what do you buy, and why? Oh, and I want a normal D one. (High?) And tuneable would be a plus, but isn't necessary.

Thanks a million,

Pelle, Lund, Sweden

(Phew, I finally shut up)

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:12 pm

There are many threads on this, and you'll get a wide variety of answers here.

But if your post suggests that you are wanting a high amount of back-pressure, then whistles you may be interested in (in that price range) are Overton and Kerry. Many people love the Burke, (which also costs $150), but they're easier-blowing, and less like oboe than the first two.

I suggest you do some searching and browsing of old forum threads.

Krasnojarsk · Post by **Krasnojarsk** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:55 pm

Thank you! I've been recommended the Burke and Overton and shall continue to search the forums!

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:58 pm

Meh.

Go buy 15 feadogs.

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:19 pm

Perhaps a prusal of the High End Whistle link at the Chiff & Fipple website?

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:25 pm

Krasnojarsk wrote:To put it short: I like Planxty (among so many other bands). I like the tone of Liam's whistle on the live DVD 'Planxty live 2004' and I would like something similar

The following thread is specifically about what whistle Liam plays on the DVD. Might help.
http://chiffboard.mati.ca//viewtopic.php?t=32907

Apparantly, he uses a Burke and a Generation...

Burkes might not suit your backpressure needs, though. My jazz teacher,
who is primarily a Sax player, liked my Syns the most. My OBrien Traveler
also has some decent (not high) backpressure you can lean into.

Krasnojarsk · Post by **Krasnojarsk** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 3:07 pm

Hello and thank you for your replies!

I've had a glance through the high'end guide, and with the help of some other tips, I'm currently leaning towards a Burke or an Overton. (In addition to the Planxty 2004 thread, if anyone knows what he plays on As I roved out (Christy), also the first track, The Starting Gate), that's a tone I really like. Argh I hate not being able to try whistles in person, since it's such a 'personal' instrument.

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:43 pm

No one has ever bought only one whistle...............

Krasnojarsk · Post by **Krasnojarsk** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:51 pm

Haha I know, which is why have a shelf full of them.

So yeah, I'm basically leaning towards a Burke quite a lot...what's the sound difference between brass and aluminium? Is the brass a bit more mellow?

chas · Post by **chas** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:54 pm

IIRC, Liam plays a Burke brass whistle on the Planxty DVD (in addition to a Generation).

Dave Parkhurst · Post by **Dave Parkhurst** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:00 am

Burke and Sindt are both very fine instruments. I'm especially fond of the Burke DNB (narrow bore) I just received...sweeet.

Dave

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:07 am

Contact Doc Jones at irishflutestore.com

He has a steady stream of quality used instruments in your price range (including Burke and Overton) and has been known to let them go out for a test drive from time to time. He would have to qualify that though.

Whitmores75087 · Post by **Whitmores75087** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:13 pm

"High end" and "not too loud" don't go together very often. You might look into Hoovers.

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:35 pm

Overton, yeah.

dfernandez77 · Post by **dfernandez77** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 7:56 pm

If I had about $150 and no high end whistles - I'd have three choices.

1. Reyburn High D/C Set (US$140.00 + shipping)

2. Save a little more and get an Overton Tuneable High D (approx US$200 + shipping)

3. Freeman Tweaked full Bb to high G Generation 6 whistle set (approx US$160 + shipping)

The Reyburn is a great deal because you get two different keys at a great price. Plus Reyburn whistles are stunning.

The Overton is - well - it's an Overton. They're flat out wonderful if you can afford it.

The Freeman full set is not "high end," but the versatility of the full set is great. And a Bb Gen is probably the sweetest whistle you'll get at the price. These will be the quietest of the three choices.

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