New Low D soon available - Sweetheart wooden
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 6:04 pm
I was over at Ralph Sweet's not long ago, and had the opportunity to play their new low D whistle. I have three low D's myself: a Cook PVC, Burke aluminum and Kerry nontunable aluminum. I've played an Overton low D and Copeland. As a lover of wood, of course I have a definite bias to the new Sweetheart right off the bat, but I'd like to give a few first impressions anyway.
Visually -- well, its wood and I love wood. I played maple whistles and a rosewood. The bore is conical, and the tuning slide is wood against a cork sleeve (hence, I believe, the strenghtening bulge that some people object to), and the windway is curved. I don't remember what the fipple plug was constructed of, but I believe it was another wood.
I loved the tone which was not loud, and the tuning was as precise as my ear could discern. The whistle was nicely balanced in my hands, and I had no problem with reach, though my hands are relatively small. I could pop registers without too much problem, though I did have to tongue to go from low to high G, A and B. There was moderate back pressure, nothing that got in my way. I don't try for anything too fancy on low whistles, so I can't speak to responsiveness. The bell note was quieter then expected, but not drastically so.
What struck me -- more so later when I got home and picked up my own low D's -- was that I was able to play the Sweetheart for nearly 45 minutes and not feel winded or have finger fatigue. To me that is a tremendous plus! No huffing and puffing to finish a set, no having to set it aside after only a few minutes.
I'd really like the opportunity to have a whistle for a few weeks to play it in different moods and situations, but I wasn't able to do so with these, and monetary circumstances have put an end to all whistle purchases. Anyway, I just want to say that you're getting my opinions and observations based on one afternoon, not a long test period.
Only a few whistles were produced; I believe 4-6 were being sent out to Song of the Sea (no, I don't work for them either...no kickbacks, just a couple of days a year hanging out playing every instrument they'll let me get my hands on!) so if you're interested you may take an e-stroll over there.
Visually -- well, its wood and I love wood. I played maple whistles and a rosewood. The bore is conical, and the tuning slide is wood against a cork sleeve (hence, I believe, the strenghtening bulge that some people object to), and the windway is curved. I don't remember what the fipple plug was constructed of, but I believe it was another wood.
I loved the tone which was not loud, and the tuning was as precise as my ear could discern. The whistle was nicely balanced in my hands, and I had no problem with reach, though my hands are relatively small. I could pop registers without too much problem, though I did have to tongue to go from low to high G, A and B. There was moderate back pressure, nothing that got in my way. I don't try for anything too fancy on low whistles, so I can't speak to responsiveness. The bell note was quieter then expected, but not drastically so.
What struck me -- more so later when I got home and picked up my own low D's -- was that I was able to play the Sweetheart for nearly 45 minutes and not feel winded or have finger fatigue. To me that is a tremendous plus! No huffing and puffing to finish a set, no having to set it aside after only a few minutes.
I'd really like the opportunity to have a whistle for a few weeks to play it in different moods and situations, but I wasn't able to do so with these, and monetary circumstances have put an end to all whistle purchases. Anyway, I just want to say that you're getting my opinions and observations based on one afternoon, not a long test period.
Only a few whistles were produced; I believe 4-6 were being sent out to Song of the Sea (no, I don't work for them either...no kickbacks, just a couple of days a year hanging out playing every instrument they'll let me get my hands on!) so if you're interested you may take an e-stroll over there.
