The Great Tin Whistle Smackdown (comparing YOUR whistles)
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- It's been a long time coming, but here is the end-all-be-all review, comparison, SMACKDOWN of the whistles that y'all play. I got the idea for this after doing my 10,000 subscriber giveaway when I asked what whistles everyone is playing - so thank you for participating in that!
0:00 Intro
1:02 The Lightweight Division
1:15 Feadog Pro
3:35 Generation
5:38 Woodi
8:23 Sweetone
10:50 Clarke
13:29 The Middleweight Division
14:13 Dixon
15:32 Freeman Tweaked
17:25 The Heavyweight Division
17:56 Killarney
19:47 Gary Humphrey
21:08 Wrapup
tl;dr here's the ranked order of whistles in my opinion, anyway:
#1: Gary Humphrey (web.blomand.net/~ghumphrey/)
#1a: Killarney (killarneywhistle.com/)
#3: Freeman Tweaked (www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog...)
#4: Dixon DX004 (www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/)
#5: Clarke Sweetone (amzn.to/3i7KjDR)
#6: Woodi (amzn.to/2GKbib6)
#7: Generation (amzn.to/3lykhLd)
#8: Feadog Pro (amzn.to/34JO64T)
#9: Original Clarke (amzn.to/2GEPyxs)
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I am a big fan of your videos. Thank you. I don’t know what difference it makes how it balances on your finger, but I find myself doing it now! My Killarney is in another universe from my other whistles. beautiful - only downside, it does not sound good outside because (I think) it is so quiet. Susado for busking. Thanks again!
Love the production quality on this. Good work
Cheers!
Yeah it’s real nice to watch. Good stuff
Really have enjoyed watching these videos while deciding which first whistle to buy
My wife hated me playing my basic cheap whistles, i had to retire to the garden shed! When my Christmas present , a Killarney brass D arrived and was played? Well put it this way I am no longer in the garden shed and my wife will sometimes admit "that sound's nice!" The balance? It in my opinion the weighted head makes the instrument "feel" solid and professional. Your channel is always educational and informative, thank you.
On the Humphrey, it was really in-tune with the device; the sound is just what your ear is expecting. Wonderful; I can see why he promotes Humphrey.
There's whistles in the jar.
Thanks, a really useful review and a great choice of a pretty unforgiving tune to make the comparisons.
My high D whistles include a Goldfinch which sounds great in the 2nd octave and a Susato which is clear and loud throughout. I gave away the Feadog which I found to be way out of tune. I do like the tone of the Clarke but don't find it comfortable to play. Of the Generations I prefer the C and B flat to the D. I'm on the waiting list for a Chris Wall but for the last 8 months I've been playing my Tony Dixon DX005 almost exclusively. It has a gentle tone and is not loud. It feels good to play. My only issue is with the hole sizes; they're small. I have a real problem trying to half-hole D sharp (for me the single most important note in The Golden Eagle hornpipe!). I'd recommend this whistle to anyone starting out and playing at home. It is light but robust, tuneable and easy on the neighbours - those who are still around...
Cool. Fun to listen to (well, maybe not the high notes so much!). I have a Sindt (my favorite) and a Burke (sounds more breathy?) plus I love my Freeman tweaked Blackbird. I'd be curious to hear your side-by-side comparison of a Sindt vs. the Humphrey vs. the Killarney. Thanks Sean!
Of all the whistles you played here, my choice is the Gary Humphrey. It sounds excellent.
I’ve been playing a Dixon DX005 for around 20 years and am very happy with it
Another very useful comparison, for which thanks. Through your electrickery, the ether and my cheapo headphones the Killarney sounds more clear, defined and lively than any of the rest. However, in some other videos it has sounded a bit thinner and more nasal. I have a Generation Bb and Shaw D, both about a third of a century old. The Generation is a smidge high over its range but sounds great; the Shaw was breathy and wheezy until I footled around with the airway. Now it sounds clear, balanced and wonderful. The third in my collection is a recently bought Kerry Busker high D which is like a sawn-off bagpipe and can bring down a nazgul at 100 paces. I'm after something in between that and the Shaw. Looks like either a Killarney or a Goldfinch. Maybe both.
Many thanks for this. The Dixon dx 005 aluminium in D is very tidy for the money.
I agree about the sweet tone; funny thing is, I kind of like the seem.
Really interesting. Thanks so much. I’ve got so curious about this recently as during lockdown I’ve been reluctant to buy a pro whistle since you just can’t go into a shop and buy one.
What I’m noticing with my collection of cheap whistles is that I can’t decide which is my favourite... and I’ve realised that it depends on the room more than the whistle. If there’s a lot of echo in a room or I’m down an alley that the grittier breathier ones sound better and if I’m in a dry room then the clearer ones sound better. Maybe it’s just a case of having a few handy then?
Play one in a tunnel or a car park. The acoustic is to die for!
I just.bought a Killarney. I am impressed with the craftsmanship. The one thing that will take some getting used to is the weight of the fiippel as all I’ve played up till now are whistles with plastic fipple.
Just began playing with a few whistles some days ago, I purchased a McBride’s, the Woodi set, the Sweet tone and the Clarke, but in C.
And so far I’m really enjoying the Clarke the most, I love the breathy sound on this whistle.
The McBride’s is also a fave of mine so far, it’s somewhat sweet like the sweet tone but more balanced in the range, least mine is.
The woodi set seem really strong in the low octave but more shrill in the second.
Sweet tone I feel I have to play with a lower breath throughout especially the lower notes, they blow out easily.
Just my two cents as a beginner, i play all the whistles, love how different they are, all are D’s minus the Clarke and other Woodi also a C.
Learning to play a few Irish and kwela tunes, also very fun to improvise on.
V informative. Can you do similar with wooden flute?
I had intonation issues with both a D and C Sweetone. Of the whistles I play, the Killarney is one I play often for the non-painful 2nd octave but (maybe this is a technique issue) I tend to get a brassy taste in my mouth after playing awhile.
Very good!!!
I just started playing and got me some cheaper whistles.
I got a Walton Starter Set, but can't play that whistle. Can't get it to sound clean on low A or B. It always kinda wobbles. The Clarke Original was the next and loved the sound until I got a Clarke Sweetone and the Thomann Whistle.
So now I switch in between the Clarke Sweetone and the Thomann when I practice. Love both. Although the Thomann requires far more effort in the second octave from G on. But well I'm a bloody beginner and can't even play without making mistakes, so it's just for the sound 😄
I started out on a basic clarke whistle. I would take it out on extended hiking trips in arctic norway and practice. I had no idea the cold and temperature difference affected the tone so it was living hell getting a straight tone and I thought I was the problem...xD
LETS GOOOOOO
Thanks for this, would like to have heard the comparison tune played on the Dixon, it seems you left that out.
He can't include what he doesn't own.
I started playing on a Killarney a couple months ago after playing Generations the past two years-and when I went back to the Generation, I realised just how different that weight distribution was, it’s so noticeable. It was kind of wild, but I gotta say that I’m one of those mentioned ravers of the Killarney.
I can understand it, it's a lovely whistle!
I just got my Killarney whistle, but I'm trying to wait till my birthday to open it. (Just till the end of the month) it's tempting... :) Also ordered a Humphrey whistle. Should get that by x mas. I hope. Totally enjoyed this video. Thank you!
Cheers, good luck with them!
What is your favorite now, between the two?
@@Yowzoe hmmmm, still a tie. The Humphrey does sound a bit clearer and stronger for playing outside though. (As long as the wind isn't blowing too much!) :)
@@MPahana Good to know, thanks. I’m leaning towards a Humphrey Low D.
@@Yowzoe go for it!
I bought the woodi whistles, but I can’t make them sound good. I like the Clark sweet tone the best . I am hoping for a better whistle someday. I have a brass “ Tipperary Whistle I must have bought 30 years or more ago, but never even tried to learn to play it until the last couple of months. I can’t find one on line anywhere , but it was made in Ireland. Has anyone heard of that company?
Is that black Feadog Pro made of brass + nickel + black paint? or is it of brass + black paint only? Thanks!
I love my brass Killarney whistle. I got it in the mail the same day that you posted your review, and it’s already tarnished like crazy from me playing it so much. After playing prior whistles, I actually have to watch it to make sure I don’t overblow because it is so efficient with the air like you said. The tone is so pure and gorgeous too. My only issue is that it clogs a lot even when I warm it up well (Is this by chance a Tennessee humidity thing? I’m in Tennessee as well, so I’m curious if you see a difference here.)
My Killarney also clogs like crazy, and I've heard other people mention that as well
I guess it depends on how wet your mouth is or how often you clear out the airway because I don't really have much issues with the Killarney's. I don't play through more than two or three tunes at a time and then I cover the window and clear the airway, just a habit I have with all the whistles I play.
I'm not sure I can remember playing a whistle that didn't clog - maybe that's the environment, maybe that's me, not sure - but no matter what I play I find myself blowing it out all the time.
Kentucky here; I just got my Killarney yesterday! Only had a chance to play it for about 2 minutes so far, but loving it!
Just so you know the in video tabbing you have going had the feadog pro as Woodi
also what tune were u playing?
The latest Walton mellow ds are very good
Love my sterling silver Humphrey and I think yours sounded the best. We’re on the same page. Thanks for doing this.
(I firmly believe all the science that says material is irrelevant to tone on flutes and whistles but I do believe makers take more care the more precious the material plus I like the look of silver and enjoy the concept of a penny whistle made out of precious metal. If Humphrey had gold tubing I would buy one)
I've never tried one of the silver ones - I'd be curious one of these days though!
whistletutor treat yourself! And try a c natural thumbhole. I have it on all my flutes and whistles. Game changer. -gives you a stronger tone on that note and easier fingering for fast passages plus you can still use cross fingered c if you want to. :)
@@gwgtaylor c natural thumbhole is the A and G note covered simultaneously, correct? Also, how similar is the sound of the stealth silver in comparison to Seans humphrey played in the video?
@@mowzrascal2350 yes. Basically you have a hole on the back of the whistle between LH1 and LH2. You leave the thumb hole covered for all notes except C natural (and optionally uncover for C# as well). You normally play C nat by covering LH2 and LH3 which is the cross fingered way. It’s got a weaker tone than fingering it with LH1 down and all other holes open. It’s more comfortable in some fast passages too.
what about the waltons?
Hi I like a really whiny and crying sound for a tin whistle. Which nice quality tin whistle that you know of best fits that description? Thank you kindly.
Hmm, I'm not quite sure how to advise you on that one - don't know how to quantify whiny and crying into whistle terms myself. Do you have one that you play now that would be an example of what you mean?
Interesting test. I am a relative beginner to whistle and I currently have 2, a D Feadôg and a C Generation. Of the 2 the Feadôg has better tuning and intonation, but it has that weird raspiness where the note cracks which really puts me off playing it. Great if you can play it fast and have good breath control such as you have but for a noob its off putting. I was looking to get a Clarke Original mainly because its an iconic instrument, and I'm curious about the airy quiet tone which is great for me because I play at home, with kids in the next room (they hate me playing!) and a quieter instrument would be a deal breaker. I was also looking at a Dixon DX005, but if I had the money, and I don't at the moment, I'd get something higher end like the Killarney or a Sindt, and donate my current whistles to a charity shop. Or a bin!
Lightweight: Clarke Sweetone
Middleweight: Freeman Tweaked
Heavyweight: Killarney
It seemed like you were being very reticent with your criticism of some of those lightweights :D To me, and I think it's pretty obvious in this video, the Sweetone is the only one that is actually stable enough to play without sounding shrill/scratchy/etc. I'm firmly convinced that it was Generation players that started that whole gripe about the seam in the back on the Clarke's :D It doesn't bother me and I actually think it lends a little stability to the whistle in terms of it slipping out of your sweaty hands. The conical bore is more of a preference I will admit.
I have Jerry's Blackbird but I haven't played his tweaked Generation's, sounds great in this video though. He really does transform those mass produced whistles into real instruments and when he starts selling again I plan on picking up his "Mellow Dog." According to his facebook page he has shutdown his whistle business so he can volunteer his time to help those affected by COVID.
I haven't played the Humphrey you're so fond of but I absolutely love the Killarney whistles. If I want to play a brass whistle this is the one I reach for. I recently bought the Eb key and I'm probably going to end up buying the Bb and C as well. Fantastic whistles and they're not overpriced IMO.
The Sweetone was the first whistle I ever really felt comfortable playing and I wish I still had that first one I got, if only for nostalgia's sake.
whats the difference between the Eb and Bb keys?
I'm so happy I read your entire post! Didn't know Killarney comes in Bb as well. Went ahead and ordered it before I replied here :-D Gorgeous whistles. I already have the brass Eb, D and C.
@@mowzrascal2350 Eb is half-note above D. Bb is half-note above A. So, just as A is a fourth below D, Bb is a fourth below Eb.
What is the tune, clip some more?
I love the Generation Whistles but, in my opinion, the brass ones are better than the nickle ones. And i can't hear a big difference between the original and the tweaked one.
Sweetone all the way,
I love my Killarney!!! I am waiting for my delivery of a Humphrey 7 hole. Can't wait!!! Great watching you!!
Ahh, I've never played a whistle with the bonus hole - let me know what you think!
whistletutor will do!’
whistletutor I’m on a 10 week waiting list for 7 hole Humphrey!! Should have it by Dec 1
Try a professionally tuned Romanian whistle made of plum wood, you'll love it, they are whistles that give performance, you won't let it go from your hands and lips and they have a pleasant sound and the blowing in it is easy. I have 8 Irish whistles, including a Clarke Victorian in D, which in my opinion is the worst whistle model on the market.
Think you should acquaint yourself with the Tony Dixon range more, the Trad & aluminum especially, really good whistles.
You're probably right, I had no knowledge of Dixon instruments until recently - I'm curious!
I love my Tony Dixon high D polymer..wish I could find a warm, soft sounding polymer in B Flat which, sadly TD does not make to my knowledge. Any suggestions for a B Flat polymer in average price range for a beginner player?
@@carolineharris1358 Perhaps a Shearwater, though I haven't tried their plastic range, their aluminium whistles are good, (I have a low 'F' in my collection).
Appreciate your thoughts...have considered the TD aluminum with plastic mouthpiece in B flat. Seems like its worth a second look.
@@keithm3116 I agree. The Shearwater low F is such a pleasure to play. High quality modestly priced. i became an instant fan, so I've got a bass Bb and bass G as well .
Which of the new humphrey whistles is closest to your old one?
Probably the stealth/session styles
@@whistletutor thanks! One more question: why do you prefer to play the flute in sessions instead of the tin whistle?
Good video. So basically the more it cost, the more you like it??
There's definitely some truth to "you get what you pay for" but have a peek at 8:23 ;)
Can you do a Freeman blackbird d review please ?
I don't run across many Freemans myself - the one I used in the video was on loan - but if I track one down I definitely will!
@@whistletutor thank you would be appreciated
I usually combine the body of feadog pro and the head of Killarney（D head is 100% fine but Eb may be not）.This combination sounds great. Please try it if you can！
Interesting, I have both and will give this a try!
@@sahamal_savu This will sound purer and stronger than the original one
I have heard of this being done before but I can't get it to fit. Maybe because the feadog is nickel (hence plated) and my Killarney brass?
I can make *exactly* the same "raspy" sound on low E on my modern Generation whistle (same as in the video) ... that is if I overblow. If I blow the note correctly, there is never a "raspy sound."
Yep, and that's the tricky bit with any mass-produced whistles - sometimes you get one that's nearly flawless and others you get some wonky behavior. Back in the old days you could walk into a music shop and try out a dozen of them until you found one that worked well - not anymore hahah
We are the exact opposite. I HATE my Sweetone but I LOVE my Clarke original. Although point taken about the air requirements. I definitely get lightheaded while playing it. Edit: after investigating what “tweaked” meant, I noticed they offered a tweaked Clarke Original so I ordered one.
Have you ever considered a Burke? Very expensive but the build quality and tuning are amazing. Tone isn’t my favorite. It’s too clean and doesn’t have that folksy grit that I like. I bought it for my first whistle because I figured most expensive meant best. Ha wrong! But it’s a good whistle for sure.
Hahah different strokes for different folks - how's the tweaked Clarke? And I've played quite a few Burkes over the years, they seem to be incredibly popular now but I haven't tried one in a while. They're very well made for sure!
@@whistletutor How do you feel about the Chieftain high D? John Sheehan of the Dubliners has been playing in these recent years and it just sounds so lovely. Especially the belfast hornpipe recording on youtube if you're curious.
@@whistletutor just got the tweaked Clarke original in. Vastly improved on the air requirement front. Intonation is better overall but still not as good as a lot of other relatively inexpensive whistles. Unfortunately for me it took a little bit of that folksy grit out of the timbre but it’s still way better than my Burke. At about $40 I think it’s a pretty good deal.
@@mowzrascal2350 John Sheahan doesn't play a Chieftain whistle, it's an Overton. You can tell by the design of the mouthpiece/fipple. Colin Goldie (an apprentice of Bernard Overton) continues to make this style of whistle (in Germany rather than in Brinklow near Coventry), though he has refined the design and produces a range of whistles for different blowing styles/strength.
You really don’t like susato whistles do you.
They don't do much for me - though I just did a gig that was so cold that I was wishing for them, they'd have been more reliable than what I brought with me
Gary Humphrey will only except money orders?..........maybe some points need to be deducted.
The sweetone is the only cheap instrument in d that usually provides acceptable intonation and does not have the extreme roughness of the Generation.
The Clarke original is the worst whistle on the market whatsoever. It is not even loud enough to play alone and extremely muffled.