Hi
It's always difficult to recommend specific whistles because it depends so much on the personal taste of the player. Personally, I like whistles that play like the cheapies (Generation, Walton etc.), buy sound better and are easier to control. Others prefer whistles that are very different from the cheapies and to me would be almost like learning a new instrument.
I got myself two chirstmas presents this time. The first was a Thornton High D whistle which is pure and sweet and very responsive. Your budget would buy you a C and a D.
http://www.thorntonwhistles.info/
The second present was a David O'Brien five key set in copper, custom built for me with two piece bodies. The price was just under $200 US for one head and five bodies in Bb, C, D, Eb and E. That's a few dollars more for the extra work of making the bodies two piece. I really should post some photos of the set. It's lovely. Not just a lovely musical instrument, but a work of art. The O'Brien whistle is much heavier than the Thornton. The tone is pure, but mellower and the whistle requires a bit more push at the top end of the second octave, but not nearly as much as a Cheftain or similar.
If I was travelling somewhere and could only bring one whistle, it would be either the Thornton D or the O'Brien with the D body. It would be a difficult choice but probably the O'Brien would win simply because it's more portable with the detachable head and two piece body and because I prefer the mellower sound for slow airs etc. If I was allowed a big more, I would take the Thornton and the full O'Brien set because I prefer the crisper tone of the Thornton for the quicker tunes.
A cheaper whistle that I like a lot is the Dixon Trad. You could get a few different "medium range" whistles for your budget.
Other whistles around your budget that I have tried are a Cheftain C and an Alba A. Both of these have moved on to new owners. I found them both very difficult to control, particularly at the top end of the second octave, but the Cheftain's new owner loves it. The Alba A is with Doc Jones at the moment looking for a new home. So, for anyone reading who likes wide bore metal whistles, have a look at
http://irishflutestore.com/newsite/prod ... bk=LOW%20A
Regards,
Owen Morgan
Yacht Magic
Anchored in the lagoon, St Maarten
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