Kerry Low D - Songbird or Plastic Head?

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Jason Paul
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Kerry Low D - Songbird or Plastic Head?

Post by Jason Paul »

This is a spinoff of my previous Low D thread, which was all but hijacked by budgies. :)

I think I've narrowed it down to these two. I don't know which I like the sound of better. I seem to like whichever one I'm listening to - until I hear the other one. It would be nice to hear them back to back playing the same tune, but alas...

Anyway, for you who have or have played these two, how do they compare regarding breath requirements, hole size/spacing, balance between registers, etc.?

This will be my first Low D, so please let me know if one would be more appropriate for a new player. I've been playing my high Ds for about six months.

I'm beginning to lean toward the Songbird because of the reviews and because it's just a nicer-looking whistle, but I'd like to know how the two compare on the other issues.

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your patience with all of the questions.

Jason
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dow
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Post by dow »

Image

Hi Jack! :)

Image

Hello Jack! :) :)

Image

Where's the party, Jack? :) :)

Sorry, sometimes I just can't help myself.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread. :D
Dow Mathis ∴
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shadoe42
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Re: Kerry Low D - Songbird or Plastic Head?

Post by shadoe42 »

Jason Paul wrote:This is a spinoff of my previous Low D thread, which was all but hijacked by budgies. :)
Budgies the pirate of birds :)

As I said in the other thread I have the plastic headed one and like it alot. My problems with it have everything to do with short fingers than the whistle :)
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Post by alespa »

I have owned both, and kept the Songbird. I don't have clogging issues. The Songbird has a sexier tone IMHO, somewhat flutelike and velvety. The mouthpieces are two different designs. Another plus is you can't accidentally crack the metal mouthpiece on the Songbird . . .
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Tony McGinley
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Post by Tony McGinley »

The Songbird indeed has a lovely silky tone and looks really nice.
It is a nice piece of engineering, especially the tuning slide.

If it has a downside, it is in the breath requirement. It does require
a lot of puff. I recon it takes about 15% - 20% more than my
Chieftan or my Daniel Bingamon aluminium. So much so, that I am
even considering attempting a modification; a bit like Jerry Freeman
does on some whistles, where he puts a sliver of material into the
windway to effectively narrow it. ( I said I am considering it - dont know
if I would risk scuppering a nice whistle though) :-?
Tony McGinley

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Post by anniemcu »

I really liked the Songbird. If I didn't already have a Howard, I'd be ordering one.
anniemcu
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Post by littlejohngael »

The Songbird does indeed take a good set of lungs. I played one. I own the plastic headed one. It was my first, and a very nice first low D it was. I still play it, although the fipple is a bit cracked which makes it a wee bit out of tune (I think that happens with age). But hey, I play alone so it really doesn't bother me much. :D
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RonKiley
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Post by RonKiley »

I have played the Songbird, the plastic head Kerry, Overton and Howard. I own the Howard. I actually liked the plastic head Kerry better than the Howard but it wasn't available at the time I bought the Howard. I was not thrilled by the Songbird. It took too much air for me to be able to play it. The Overton was nice but more money than I could spend. Of course for $28 Daniel Bingamon has a nice PVC low D. A good starter.

Ron
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Jason Paul
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Post by Jason Paul »

Hmmm, given the implied amount of air for the Songbird, maybe the plastic head is the way to go. They also cost a little less, and are currently available.

On Phil's website, it says that his instruments have a lifetime guarantee. So, would that not include a replacement head if yours cracked?

The Songbird sure looks nice though...

Thanks,
Jason
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Tony McGinley
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Post by Tony McGinley »

Hi Phil - if you are tuned into this thread??

Maybe you can suggest a modification to
the windway of the "Songbird" to reduce
the air requirement?

It really is the only negative thing I can say
about this whistle. if the air requirement was
reduced, I would be playing it a great deal more.

It certainly would be a future modification that
I would suggest for the next series of "Songbirds"
Tony McGinley

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Dale
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Post by Dale »

The plastic headed Kerry which Phil Hardy sent to me, some years ago now, would have been pretty good but for an odd buzzing sound in the mouthpiece I couldn't eliminate. One would think this would be due to some thing in the airway, but I cleaned it and still had the buzz. One other person emailed me to say they had that problem with theirs.

I thought the Songbird was solid choice. I did note it demanded a bit of breeze but, being full of surplus hot air, I didn't find that a particular problem, although I do prefer more backpressure.
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Jay-eye
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Post by Jay-eye »

I have a huge amount of experience in solving such dilemmas.

You would be welcome to benefit from my wisdom gained from extensive in-the-field training.

I suggest you therefore:

Buy them both. :o

Take your time deciding which you like best. :-?

Sell the one you don't like as much, via this board or ebay. :)

Repeat as many times as necessary with different whistles.

Result: Loads of fun, lots of experience gained, and you end up owning your perfect whistle! :D
Tóg go bog é, dude.....

j.i.
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Phil Hardy
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Dixon Whistle Clip

Post by Phil Hardy »

As promised,the Dixon whistle PRO-FILE is up at UNowhere.
I also found an OS low A Chieftain and made a clip of that as well..jeez...whara stretch...I haven't been stretched like that sice Grace Jones got....mm never mind>
phil
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Tony McGinley
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Post by Tony McGinley »

Phil Hardy wrote:As promised,the Dixon whistle PRO-FILE is up at UNowhere.
I also found an OS low A Chieftain and made a clip of that as well..jeez...whara stretch...I haven't been stretched like that sice Grace Jones got....mm never mind>
phil
Phil maybe its the wrong thread you have posted in -
but if not, then you have overlooked a few ideas, diectly
addressed and related to you, and which some of us
would like to hear your comments on.
Tony McGinley

<i><b>"The well-being of mankind,
its peace and security,
are unattainable unless and until
its unity is firmly established."<i><b>
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CelloDog
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Post by CelloDog »

Jason, thanks for asking some good questions. I'm leaning toward a Reyburn, I need to find out if the wood fipple is at all delicate -- I'm guessing that Eastern Hard Maple is as durable as plastic, but also more prone to changes in weather (and less prone to condensation). Also there are some options with bore and offset fingering (any thoughts on these anyone?). The all metal whistles seem to most durable and have that chiffu sound I like. I think you want more of a clear tone, so the Kerry's are a better choice.
You know a sharpshinned hawk would send those budgies flying.
Doug
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