New Low D soon available - Sweetheart wooden

[Tyghress]

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.

[jim stone]

Thanks, really interesting. A rosewood low D whistle
would be fun to check out, and I like the Sweetmaple
D folkflute very well.

[Jack]

Wow.

Do you know if it'll be available in laminate?

[Tyghress]

Wow.

Do you know if it'll be available in laminate?

I could nearly guarantee that. Walt is enamored of the laminate. I think its called something like Dymondwood.

[brewerpaul]

Holy Guacamole! Any idea what they will be selling for? No info on Ralph's site, or Song of the Sea.
I just did a search for Dymondwood and am majorly impressed with this stuff. It comes in all sorts of psychedelic color combos too. I wrote to the makers and asked them for a couple of samples to see if I can turn it down thin enough for my own whistles. Anyone interested in a rainbow whistle.....?

[Tony]

Dymondwood is a trademark name for a processed wood product where layers of died/stained veneers are compressed and bonded together with resin. Available in many beautiful colors and configurations, Dymondwood is often used in jewlery, turned pens and carved knife handles.

[Loren]

This stuff has been around for quite a while - 15-18 years ago there was a company making drumsticks from it.

Loren

[Bretton]

Let us know if it works out Paul. I wouldn't mind a whistle that looked like that.