Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
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Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
I'm looking to get a tunable whistle in A. After a bit of web googling, I've found three, Overton, Susato and Dixon Alloy. The tunable Overton is too expensive, and so I'm looking at the Susato or Dixon Alloy in A.
Any recommendations for A) other tunable whistles in the key of A; and B) any recommendations/comparisons between the two? I've got a Susato low D, and while it has taken awhile to tame, sounds great. I've not played a Dixon Alloy so don't know.
Thanks!
-Mark
Any recommendations for A) other tunable whistles in the key of A; and B) any recommendations/comparisons between the two? I've got a Susato low D, and while it has taken awhile to tame, sounds great. I've not played a Dixon Alloy so don't know.
Thanks!
-Mark
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
The Overton is the way to go if you can scrape up more cash.
It might be out of your price range, but a Burke would be a fine whistle in A, nice pure voice.
Chieftain Low A has a chiffy trad voice, just under the price of a Burke. Try before you buy to see if it suits you.
Susato also have a character you should hear and try before you buy.
I've heard good about Dixon's in general, and the price is good.
If you could find someone willing to part with a Water Weasel in A - it's a really fine whistle.
It might be out of your price range, but a Burke would be a fine whistle in A, nice pure voice.
Chieftain Low A has a chiffy trad voice, just under the price of a Burke. Try before you buy to see if it suits you.
Susato also have a character you should hear and try before you buy.
I've heard good about Dixon's in general, and the price is good.
If you could find someone willing to part with a Water Weasel in A - it's a really fine whistle.
Daniel
It's my opinion - highly regarded (and sometimes not) by me. Peace y'all.
It's my opinion - highly regarded (and sometimes not) by me. Peace y'all.
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
I've only got access to a Susato to try out. However, the Chieftain looks really nice, and I could maybe stretch up to that in terms of budget...
Any comments on playability for the A's? I'm going to be playing it as well as my wife--and she has smaller hands. I'm thinking also in terms of how much breath one needs, etc.
-Mark
Any comments on playability for the A's? I'm going to be playing it as well as my wife--and she has smaller hands. I'm thinking also in terms of how much breath one needs, etc.
-Mark
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
I've not played a Dixon but I've had a couple Susato A's: one with a narrow bore, like they use for their high D whistles, and one with a medium bore. The one with the narrow bore was very much in tune and had a soft sweet voice. It was a very nice player. The one with the bigger bore I didn't care for as much.
That narrow-bore A was bought a long time ago and they might not make that style any more.
Now I play Burkes in Low F, G, and A. I love the way the Burkes play.
That narrow-bore A was bought a long time ago and they might not make that style any more.
Now I play Burkes in Low F, G, and A. I love the way the Burkes play.
Richard Cook
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
If you can find a used Water Weasel, it is a particularly fine key, from Glenn. Check with Doc Jones at the Irish Flute Store.
Best.
Byll
Best.
Byll
'Everything Matters...'
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Lisa Diane Cope 1963-1979
Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
i honestly think I don't need TUNABLE whistles in A.
I think there is an overton A for sale on the Used Instrument Exchange forum,
by the way.
I think there is an overton A for sale on the Used Instrument Exchange forum,
by the way.
Last edited by jim stone on Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
I would recommend a Sindt.
Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
I have a Dixon A and like it just fine. I often use it to play D tunes e.g. Ashokan Farewell.
I also have a number of Susatos and like them too: durable, in-tune, not too costly. I borrowed a Susato narrow bore A once for a few weeks. I found that closing the holes was tough for me. I think the trouble I had is rooted in simple anatomy: I have small fingers. Everyone is different.
If you can, I suggest borrowing a few and trying them out.
trill
I also have a number of Susatos and like them too: durable, in-tune, not too costly. I borrowed a Susato narrow bore A once for a few weeks. I found that closing the holes was tough for me. I think the trouble I had is rooted in simple anatomy: I have small fingers. Everyone is different.
If you can, I suggest borrowing a few and trying them out.
trill
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
I have a Dixon tunable poly A and it's quite nice. Deep, strong, flute-like tone and accurate. I've played other good A whistles but no more than I use an A, the Dixon does a good job.
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
I always assume that any whistle from Bb on down will require piper's grip on at least the bottom hand. That pretty much eliminates the personal anatomy factor in choosing whistles. Any low whistle player needs to acquire piper's grip as a necessary skill. It's non-optional. And not hard. Then if you come across a low whistle that you can manage with standard grip, that's a bonus.trill wrote:I borrowed a Susato narrow bore A once for a few weeks. I found that closing the holes was tough for me. I think the trouble I had is rooted in simple anatomy: I have small fingers. Everyone is different.
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Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
Take a Goldie Overton! They are NOT too expencive. Just look at the quality and the craftmanship. AND the customer support.
Why do people use aluminum to put beer in it, if you can make whistles out of it?
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
PS: If you think a Goldie whistle is too expencive, maybe you don't deserve one anyway.
Why do people use aluminum to put beer in it, if you can make whistles out of it?
Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
Aren't you a bit too fast to judge? For example, when 15, I wouldn't get a holiday job, and with 3-4 euros of pocket money, I'd have to accumulate money for quite a long time - could be the same case here.Sober Sam wrote:PS: If you think a Goldie whistle is too expencive, maybe you don't deserve one anyway.
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Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
Yeah, that's just silly and crass. Are you saying that poor people don't deserve nice things because they are too poor to be able to afford them?Sober Sam wrote:PS: If you think a Goldie whistle is too expencive, maybe you don't deserve one anyway.
I also think that Goldie-Overton is the gold standard in low whistles. In Thailand the annual per capita household spending is around US$1500. The Overton low A costs €181 or US$258. Or approximately 17% of average disposable spending. That's a lot of gai kua noodles. Food for thought, eh?
If that's not what you meant, then my apologies.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Re: Tunable whistle in the key of A recommendations?
Well, Kenny had to day because he was poorMTGuru wrote: Yeah, that's just silly and crass. Are you saying that poor people don't deserve nice things because they are too poor to be able to afford them?
Anyway, that's not to diminish the point I agree with.