I prefer....(Whistle Composition Poll) and maybe add why

[pastorkeith]

OK Let's help out wvwhistler
pastorkeith

[Bothrops]

Okay.. I voted: "Doesn't matter. A whistle is a whistle." just because, for example, I like my Susatos a lot (ABS plastic) but I also like my nickel Generation Bb or my PVC whistle in D.
I think aluminium whistles look awesome (maybe they are my favorite), but I still coudn't buy one (WhOA is killing me, I can't get money to buy every whistle I like!)

Anyways, I was so tempted to vote the last option, just because Cooley's reel is maybe my favorite tune, lol!

Regards,
Martin

[Wanderer]

These days I like composite burkes: More durable than wood (moisture/crack resistant, etc) without as much temperature variability as metal.

[Tucson Whistler]

I like brass. I like others, too, but my favorites are brass.

[Pyroh]

I prefer aluminium. Why...my most favourite whistle is made from it. I quite like the cold-ish sound. Brass is too warm, to my taste.

On the other hand, I love wood in general, and my second best whistle is made of wood. It´s a beautiful material.

[brewerpaul]

Well duh...

[Trixle]

I voted wood, though i've never actually played a wooden whistle. I've pretty much only played brass, and i like the sound of them, but the whistles i dream about owning one day are mostly wooden ones.... the purpleheart o'brien, the bloodwood busman, the abell... all wooden.

Funny thing, one day i might actually have the funds to get a wooden whistle and then think, "Man, wood sucks, where's my brass whistle?"
But for now, i'll keep dreaming

[jemtheflute]

I voted "wood", though I'd like to have been able to vote "PVC" and "Composite" too - nothing really to do with brands etc., just that I don't like metal mouthpieces in my mouth, regardless of physical design or sound/playing character, so none of the all-metal ones would I fancy. I do think wood sounds best, though, and some plastic whistles sound very like wood.

[crookedtune]

I voted wood, also.
The only wood whistle I have ever owned is the low G mahogany/Delrin Hoover I got for Christmas. It's my new favorite.
Of course, the magic isn't in the wood, but in the maker. I'm not sure the material is very important, except aesthetically.

[wvwhistler]

Pastorkeith:

Thanks for starting this poll. I hadn't thoght of it at all. Obviously!!

Everyone's comments are helping to shape my decision. Keep in mind though, I'm not going for opinion on asthetics but rather preferences in tone, etc.

Thank you all very much for this.

Mark

[Steamwalker]

Wood all the way for it's mellow sound and visual beauty.

[doogieman]

I voted wood. My 2 "most played" D whistles are a Busman in Blackwood and a Mahan in Cocobolo - Thanks Paul and Wanderer! I'm not really sure I have a "why". I am used to wood from playing the flute - there is just something about playing wood for me.

[Tucson Whistler]

I still say brass. I had a Sweetheart that was really nice and I did like the way it sounded quite a bit, but being in the desert made me worry about the wood drying out. I spent a lot of time maintaining it. Then again, you probably don't have to worry about dry weather where you are.

[jsluder]

As far as sound is concerned, I don't have a preference in material. But I prefer the look and feel of wood, so that's how I voted.

[peeplj]

If a whistle plays well for me, I am not particularly concerned about the material it is made from, as long as it's reasonably durable.

I think the workmanship and design influence the sound and playability of a whiste far more than do the material it's made from.

A whistle made of gold but that was heavy and had a dull, lifeless sound might be pretty to look at, for instance, but wouldn't interest me as an instrument.

--James