Why I prefer cheap whistles

nickt · Post by **nickt** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:17 pm

On 2002-10-30 10:19, dlambert wrote:
Cheapies are the way to go. Especially for a D whistle. Why pay more for something that's really not going to sound any better?

Whitmores; don't bother with the Rose. It's a great whistle, but nothing overly special. (besides of course its great looks)

The Rose is SO much better to feel, to play, to look at (less important) and to listen to; so much better in fact that I donated all my cheapies to the local charity store.

I guess we'll continue to go round in circles with this one.

BTW, whoever said it - yes, the Irish learn on cheapies, but when they get the chance they buy Roses, et al.

vaporlock · Post by **vaporlock** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:20 pm

A funny thing happened in my whistle case the other day...

I have one of Michael Burkes whistle roll cases that will hold 8 whistles. I keep my best whistles in it, while the others live in a desk drawer. It contains Burkes, Sindts, a Busman, a brass Chieftain and a rotating cast of a couple of others (my Overton won't fit). Anyway, I opened it up a few days ago and found my Clare 2 piece??? Wait a sec, this whistle is supposed to be in the glove compartment of my truck...how'd it get in here next to my Busman??? Freaky.

The mystery may never be solved, but my Clare now lives in my whistle case.

Michael Sullivan · Post by **Michael Sullivan** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:28 pm

I prefer the cheapies.

Because I can afford them.

jtbishop · Post by **jtbishop** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:33 pm

..you should find lots of stuff on tweaking cheapies

Sorry, I should have been more specific – I meant your own experiences, with specific whistles you own, rather than generic fixes, which can be found elsewhere.

Peeplj, my experience tallies with yours. I choose to play a specific whistle (cheap or otherwise) to suit its personality, my mood, where I’m playing, the tune, etc. To dismiss expensive whistles, based on costs and playability alone, is to denigrate the art and craftsmanship that has gone into them. (It would also be a facile argument)

On a personal note, as a watchmaker, it is impossible to justify the prices of mechanical watches, based on their performance alone. One must look at the intrinsic value of the aesthetic, rather than cold logic. (In addition to my being out of work!)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: jtbishop on 2002-10-30 13:39 ]</font>

Jim_B1 · Post by **Jim_B1** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:49 pm

On 2002-10-30 13:28, Michael Sullivan wrote:
I prefer the cheapies.

Because I can afford them.

Me too, honesty is the best policy

-Jim

Ridseard · Post by **Ridseard** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 2:04 pm

I have three whistles which I play regularly: a Generation green top D, an Ó Briain Improved D, and a Burke Al Pro D. Of course, the Burke is far superior to the others in beauty and construction, and it has enough volume to make it the best choice for playing in a group. However, they're all fun to play, and each one has unique response characteristics and tone. I honestly can't say that I prefer to play any one of them more than the others. However, it's nice not to be restricted to cheap whistles only. Life just wouldn't be the same without my Burke.

Steven · Post by **Steven** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 2:50 pm

I currently have in my house D whistles by Oak (mine) and O'Riordan (on loan from a friend). I must say, I really, REALLY love the O'Riordan, but there are some nights I just go for the Oak. Granted, part of that is simplicity -- I can just pick it up and put it down whenever I want, as opposed to the O'Riordan (get it out, put it together, play it, take it apart, swab it out, put it away). But sometimes that's just the sound I prefer, or the feel I'm in the mood for. They are very different instruments, and I love them both, but I could certainly see someone preferring one over the other. And either one is a legitimate choice.

Steven

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 3:06 pm

Whitmores,

Care to tell us which whistles you tried that convinced you that "High End" whistles aren't all that? Without knowing exactly what you played, it's hard to put your comments in context.

Loren

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 3:30 pm

Until I get Dr. Blackhawk, the tweak specialist, over to diagnose/operate on my old Feadogs and Gens, I will continue on the course that began the day I got my Burke: thats the day i stopped playing cheap whistles, period. And I don;t miss the intonation problems, the raspiness, etc. I have no sentiment especially since rolls and octave jumps are a lot easier on the Burke.

The first day I performed in public with the Burke nearly brought tears to my eyes because it sounded so sweet in a big room. I'm getting drowned out now in this new pub band (leading to vengeful thots about gettin a Susato and SHOWING THEM) but whenever I practice at home, I am gratified by the sweetness of the better whistle. And I am intrigued by the references to other premium metal whistles (wood still isn't the direction I want to go) and would like to try a Copeland for example.

As somebody said, this will go round and round.

All said, though, I really did like number four of one of the earliest thread posts. It WOULD be cool to be able to occassionally give away something that would bring joy to someone else that you had improved. Sorta like volunteer work!!

Teri-K · Post by **Teri-K** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 3:59 pm

It seems every couple of months this topic re-emerges with the same outcome: there is no resolution. The issue being compared time and again is not whistles, but preferences. And THAT will never be settled, made generic, or in agreement across the board for every single player. People swear by their whistle of choice based upon the qualities they seek in the instrument. Neither group will sway the other (as it should be) and each is steadfast in their beliefs.

Nick said, “The Rose is SO much better to feel, to play, to look at (less important) and to listen to..” Obviously, that statement is true for him, but not for everyone. If he’s found a whistle that he thoroughly enjoys, that’s great. I’m honestly happy for him because if you’re comfortable with and love your instrument, you’re going to play more. I wouldn’t trade my Generation or inexpensive homemade hybrids for a semi-truck full of his Roses. By the same token he wouldn’t do the trade in reverse. We simply have different tastes. I’m not talking about craftsmanship; there’s no debate about quality regarding high-enders, or the amount of dollars spent, but the sound.

The whole idea that this turns into a battle of which is the best whistle is ridiculously funny to me. That’s like telling someone why, how and what they must prefer, period. Play whatever makes you happy. Instead of each camp shaking their heads and waiving their fists at the thought of what the other prefers: those that believe inexpensive is the way to go can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same. Then we’ll all be playing the damn tunes.

T

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: teri-k on 2002-10-30 17:01 ]</font>

jtbishop · Post by **jtbishop** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 4:08 pm

....can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same.

Will that be a trick or treat?

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 4:18 pm

One thing I feel I have to mention...someone in this thread said that "whistles started out as 'cheapies'." That's not entirely true. While Mr. Clarke may have kicked off something of a whistle revival with rolled-tin half-penny whistles, whistles have been around as instruments for a very, very long time (bone whistles have been found dating from the Iron Age, and we know from records that Irish Bards played the "feadan" as well as the harp). Before mass production became economically practical, ALL whistles were handmade, and some of them were undoubtedly very finely crafted instruments indeed.

As far as the Irish learning on 'cheapies', I imagine this is for the same reason that American schoolkids learn to play on cheap plastic Yamaha recorders, rather than on pricey, handmade, professionally voiced rosewood or ebony instruments. They learn to play on them because they ARE cheap, and because they're generally quite acceptable, not because they're somehow superior.

Bottom line, we all play what we like to hear, and some will always be happiest with the sound of a $3 Meg or a $7 Generation, while others will relish the sound of an Overton, Sindt or Chieftain, or some other handcrafted whistle. That's one of the beauties of music (and particularly folk music)...what you and your listeners like is what's "right" and "best," not what one school of thought or another tries to tell you is "right" or "best," or even "most traditional."

Redwolf

goesto11 · Post by **goesto11** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 4:26 pm

TeriK said:

those that believe inexpensive is the way to go can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same

Remind me to never buy a used whistle from TeriK

John Mac

Teri-K · Post by **Teri-K** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 4:27 pm

On 2002-10-30 17:08, jtbishop wrote:
....can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same.
Will that be a trick or treat?

Again, I suppose it depends on your personal preference

T

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 4:31 pm

On 2002-10-30 13:17, nickt wrote:
BTW, whoever said it - yes, the Irish learn on cheapies, but when they get the chance they buy Roses, et al.

I've spent a great deal of time in pubs (in Ireland) listening to music, and I've never seen an Irish musician with a Rose. Or a Copeland. Or a Burke. Or anything more expensive than a Dixon tunable D.