What should I expect from a Copeland high-D?

emtor · Post by **emtor** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:28 pm

Finally it's a done deal. Hobgoblin Music in Bristol had one Copeland brass high-D left in stock, and it is now paid for and on it's way across the North Sea towards Norway.

Let's do some simple math . . . you can get a decent Generation from Hobgoblin for £ 3.90 or in other words 54 Generation whistles for the same price as for one Copeland high-D.

So, what is reasonable to expect from a whistle that has a value of 54 Generations?

-Any comments?

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:03 pm

emtor wrote:Finally it's a done deal. Hobgoblin Music in Bristol had one Copeland brass high-D left in stock, and it is now paid for and on it's way across the North Sea towards Norway.

Let's do some simple math . . . you can get a decent Generation from Hobgoblin for £ 3.90 or in other words 54 Generation whistles for the same price as for one Copeland high-D.

So, what is reasonable to expect from a whistle that has a value of 54 Generations?

-Any comments?

We see this come up every now and again.."is a <high end whistle> really X times better than a generation?"

I don't think this is a good way to look at the value of a whistle.

Picasso's "Garcon a la Pipe" sold for $104 million dollars in 2004.

My son recently drew a picture of some penguins having a birthday party. He gave it to me for free, but I would have given him a quarter for it if he'd have tried to sell it to me.

Does Picasso's work really have 416 MILLION times more art in it than my son's artwork? I don't think so. I value my son's work (proudly displayed on the fridge) much more, actually, even if it's no Picasso.

It's good if you can get what you want for cheap. But sometimes, what you want is a Picasso. And if that's what you want, well, that's the price you have to pay.

I look at whistles the same way. If you can find what you want in a cheap whistle, that's great.

But if what you're looking for can't be had in a cheap whistle, you have to decide if you're willing to pay the price for the whistle you want. Or, alternately, decide if the whistle you bought is worth what you paid for it. Since this is largely a matter of taste, only you can decide if that Copeland is giving you your money's worth.

emtor · Post by **emtor** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:08 pm

Take the "54 times a Generation" with a pinch of salt,-I was more or less asking what one can excpect from a Copeland whistle.

CranberryDog · Post by **CranberryDog** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:26 pm

Hi Erik,

I think they are fine, beautifully made whistles. Fit and finish are first rate. The tone holes are chamfered and feel very nice, and the whistle just plain feels good to hold.

I have only tried the brass and found it to have a very strong warm tone. Mine has a strong bell note and solid low register. The whistle has good intonation and is intune. The second octave sings and has a very musical tone and no shrillness.

I read recently that Mary Bergin plays a Copeland as well as many other brands.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine. All the best, Cyril.

emtor · Post by **emtor** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:40 pm

Now that sounds like a great whistle. I can tell from images on the web that it's a beautifully crafted whistle, and from your description it sounds good too.
I'm looking forward to its arrival.

rh · Post by rh » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:16 pm

Laurence Nugent's albums are a good way to hear a Copeland put through its paces. I really enjoy mine (90's vintage D), it has a voice quite unlike ay other whistle i own.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:31 pm

i have a copeland review on my website. They're top notch whistles in my opinion, and one of my favorites. I played one in the band for 3-4 years.

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:14 pm

I bought a nickel high D Copeland pre owned several months ago. If I had bought one many years ago, I may not have bought any of the rest.
There is another fellow at our sessions that plays one also. And he also plays a Copeland Bb that is mesmerizing.

emtor · Post by **emtor** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:34 am

Thanks for the replies folks. -It is usually difficult to hear how a whistle really sounds by listening to soundclips, but the soundclip on Wanderer's site makes the typical "conical" warmth in the first register stand out. I do hope it has arrived before the weekend.

Tim2723 · Post by **Tim2723** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:24 am

From a Copeland high D you can expect a smooth tone, perfect intonation, exquisite craftsmanship, top level materials, and a lifetime of working to get as good at making music as it is in providing it.

StevieJ · Post by **StevieJ** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:18 pm

From a Copeland high D played by someone else sitting close to you, you can expect pain in the ears.

emtor · Post by **emtor** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:23 pm

Nobody will be sitting next to me desecrating my copeland with alien saliva . . . nobody I tell you.

Rob Sharer · Post by **Rob Sharer** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:29 pm

I would love to play one just for the way they sound in the lower octave, but the one I had an extended loan of had a high B that could sterilize a hamster at thirty paces. Cheers,

Rob

Feadoggie · Post by **Feadoggie** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:37 pm

Rob Sharer wrote:the one I had an extended loan of had a high B that could sterilize a hamster at thirty paces.

Is that a problem?

I've had several Copeland high D's. I still own and play one brass and one nickel. The others were very good whistles but not as even as the two I have held on to. These two are pretty sweet in the upper end. They are all loud.

Feadoggie

emtor · Post by **emtor** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:05 pm

hehe sterilize a hamster

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What should I expect from a Copeland high-D?

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