Which Burke do you prefer?

ChristianRo · Post by **ChristianRo** » Tue Oct 30, 2001 9:49 am

I guess many of you out there are experienced Burke whistle players. I'm thinking of buying a b whistle from him. But what specifications? Composite? Brass? Aluminium? Wide bore? Narrow bore? I prefer a full, round tone not too quiet. Can anyone help me?

Christian

MarkB · Post by **MarkB** » Tue Oct 30, 2001 11:20 am

Hi Christian

I own a Burke Brass D Pro and a Low G Aluminum Pro. And I absolutely love playing both of them. For some unknown reason I prefer the brass to aluminum for the weight, don't ask me why, the D just feels substantial in my hands and I feel I won't drop it when the speed gets going. I have a tendency to finger hard when playing reels and such.

As to the tone quality, the brass and aluminum have there own and I use them differently depending on what I'm playing. The brass I like for its seemingly brightness, quickness and clarity in the top end.

The aluminum I like for its softness, warmth and roundedness in its sound for slower tunes and aires. When playing the aluminum in a session the sound of the Low G really fills the room and takes the edge off all those fiddlers.

If its any help, I am intending purchase in the new year a Low A, and a Low E, and Bb and they all will be in aluminum from Mike.

I have nothing but good things to say about Burke whistles or the man himself. The whistles I do have, I play all the time either at home or in sessions.

Mark

_________________
"In any corner of the earth where solitude and imagination go hand in hand, people learn soon enough to love music."
Stendhal (1783-1842) Life of Rossini

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: MarkB on 2001-10-30 12:22 ]</font>

Jeferson · Post by **Jeferson** » Tue Oct 30, 2001 11:21 am

Wide bore session in brass. I've got that one as well as an aluminum one, and to my ear the brass sounds a tad rounder. Although the aluminum is extremely light, I wouldn't call the brass heavy. Both sound great, though I think your description points to the brass.

Jef

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Oct 30, 2001 12:07 pm

IMO Mike's strength lies is his brass whistles. The Composite whistles are too fragile for my liking and, to my ear, his aluminum whistles sound rather bland.

Loren

Tres · Post by **Tres** » Tue Oct 30, 2001 3:55 pm

I like all of Mike's whistles (I have a WBB in D, an AlPro in D and a composite C) The brass and aluminum sound alot alike-- I fluctuate on an almost daily basis as to which I prefer. The Composite has a very round, pure tone with little "chiff". It is also great.

If you want a more "whistly" sound, go for aluminum or brass. If you want a purer flute-like tone, go for a composite. Either way you really can't go wrong.

Enjoy!

Tres

ChristianRo · Post by **ChristianRo** » Wed Oct 31, 2001 5:06 am

Thanks for your input. If only I could try before you buy...
Christian

Whistleworks · Post by **Whistleworks** » Thu Nov 01, 2001 7:58 am

Which Burke do I prefer? All of them. Simple as that.

Bob Pegritz