Dixons Soprano D (one peice).

Tony Fletcher UK · Post by **Tony Fletcher UK** » Wed Nov 13, 2002 5:07 pm

Hi,
Can anyone tell me what these play and sound like.
Are they really good for a begginner?
Are the loud?
Not sure what i think about them, with them being made from plastic....
Do some whistlers avoid this type of whistle?
Thankyou...
Tony.. Sheffield England...

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Wed Nov 13, 2002 5:19 pm

Tony, if you go to Clips & Snips, I think you will find some Dixons to listen to. That may help you make a decision.

As far as what it's made of, don't let that be a major concern. There are fine whistles made out of everything from wood to plastic. If you don't like a Dixon, chances are it won't have much to do with the material it's made out of. Everything I've heard about the Dixon makes me think it's a pretty good whistle...if I were in the market for another new low-end whistle, I'd try one without hesitation.

Redwolf

MurphyStout · Post by **MurphyStout** » Wed Nov 13, 2002 5:23 pm

Yes, but I would go with the tunable version, cause a tunable version is always nice. But overall the dixon is a good buy, especially for a beginner cause they are so easy to play. The dixon's are very forgivable, and they are moderately loud. Not as loud as a chieftain or susato, but not as quiet as a hoover or oak. I would deffinatly recommend a dixon to a beginner. I gave mine away cause they kind of sound (I mean barely) like a sweetone, and I don't care at all for the sweetone sound at all, but that's my only complaint. You can't beat that whistle for the price though, go ahead a get it.

Jack Murphy

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Wed Nov 13, 2002 5:24 pm

Here you go:

This is a link to the "Jigs" page at Clips & Snips. There are several tunes on this page played on a Dixon Soprano D...just scroll down and you'll find them. If you want a wider sampling, check out the other Clips & Snips pages. I didn't find any Dixon Sopranos on the "Airs" page, but I didn't check "Reels" and "Hornpipes."

<A HREF="http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssni ... l">Jigs</A>

Redwolf

Bagfed · Post by **Bagfed** » Wed Nov 13, 2002 6:45 pm

I have a Dixon High D non tunable and it is worth the money. After getting it I got a low D just like it. I also have a sweetone and a clark original and I always play the Dixon. It is kind of loud, I have been practising some tunes with high notes alot lately (in a small space) and my ear are hurting a little. That's what the low D is for.

Martin Milner · Post by **Martin Milner** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 2:36 am

Tony,

Yes, some whistlers avoid plastic whistles.

There's a kind of inverted snobbery going on, to put it bluntly. But you will never get looked at askance if you're playing a Generation.

I have a tuneable Dixon D, a brass slide Dixon D, a tuneable Dixon A, and a tuneable Low D, and I play them all regularly, but I've never taken one to a session yet. I don't think the Dixons have a "plastic" sound like a Susato does, but Susatos are very common in sessions because they are the loudest low-end whistle you can get.

MacEachain · Post by **MacEachain** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 2:39 am

Hi Tony,
I've got the internal tuning slide Sop.d Dixon and a tuneable A Dixon, both nice whistles, both easy to play with no squeaks etc. Check Tonys (Dixon) website. Why not give him a call, He's a really nice bloke.

Cheers, Mac

tuaz · Post by **tuaz** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:45 am

I don't think anyone will ever accuse Dixons of not being "real" whistles. They don't look or sound toy-like, dinky or plastic-y. To me, they actually sound pretty woody and mellow. Get the normal tunable. The brass slide D (to me) is too pure/clean/clear in tone for my liking.

nickt · Post by **nickt** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 8:08 am

Buy one Tony, you won't regret it.

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 6:41 pm

I don't have a sop.D but I've got a Low D, A,and Bb, all tuneable, and like them, particularly the A. My Dixon's don't sound like the brass and nickle whistles, but I don't expect them to, nor do they have to. To me they have their own sound,which is quite nice. I don't like the sweetone sound, gave mine away, but I do like my Dixons.

selkie · Post by **selkie** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 7:43 pm

I just had a tuneable D with brass slide from him with his usual wonderful help and suggestions for fingering. He's also making me a thumb rest with a hole so I can hang my C around my neck safetly. I actually killed off my D by dropping it so much and playing and playing it. I have weka hands wrists and elbows and these whistles are excellent to play for a beginner. I think you would be happy to buy one then later on maybe go onto a different type when you have learnt loads.

elliott · Post by **elliott** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 11:52 pm

I really like my Dixon! It's become my day-to-day whistle of choice. It's not perfect, but it's even from top to bottom, it never gets screechy, the high notes aren't THAT much louder than the low ones (unlike Generations), and low D doesn't jump up when you barely breathe into it (you know who you are!). And they don't go sharp and flat as they heat up and cool down, either. Take that, expensive metal whistles.

And, most important, the Dixon sounds like a whistle! One day, my son, you will understand this when you listen to a Susato or a Sweetheart.

IMHO, I'd say don't waste money on a tuneable whistle unless you KNOW you will NEED that feature. Are you playing with an out-of-tune accordeon? A fiddler who refuses to tune? A hammered dulcimer which is always flat when the temperature is over 43 degrees? (All have happened to me recently, which is why I carry tuneables!)

I say, make 'em tune to you! (preferably the note 'G', which is clearer on a whistle than 'A')

DrRichard · Post by **DrRichard** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 7:29 am

My second whistle was a Dixon, and I *love* it. So, in danger of saying me too, _me too_

Love it. Buy it. Sufficiently inexpensive that even if you don't like it, you're not much out of $$.

Richard

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 8:24 am

I have the one-piece Dixon D. It is a very nice whistle, very easy to play.

There are only a couple of drawbacks that I have ever found with this whistle:

1. Like many non-tunable whistles, it is tuned quite sharp compared to A=440. This is a minor quibble, especially since string players love to tune sharp anyway.

2. It clogs frequently.

3. The highest notes are a little shrill, similar to a Sweet whistle.

Is it worth the money? Absolutely, especially for a beginning player.

A more advanced player might be served better by an Oak, though, IMHO.

Best,

--James
http://www.flutesite.com

Wandering_Whistler · Post by **Wandering_Whistler** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 8:45 am

On 2002-11-14 03:36, Martin Milner wrote:
Tony,

Yes, some whistlers avoid plastic whistles.

There's a kind of inverted snobbery going on, to put it bluntly. But you will never get looked at askance if you're playing a Generation.

I avoid some plastic whistles, simply because they sound, well, plastic. But, I've recently gotten to play a dixon, and thought it was a fine instrument.