There is wisdom in your choice Greg. You know you are getting a great whistle that will last. You can fill a niche later if you want. Buying a great choice first normally saves $ in the long run.
Hi Scott, I have the first three of these whistles. It's not easy to get across the differences in sound and tone but they do have slight differences and other build differences... Here's my take on them which hopefully will add to your thoughts and help others. The Killarney has a very easy to reach second octave and a slightly sweeter sound in the higher octave, it requires the less air of the three, it's the lightest and has the thinnest bore. It also has the thinnest windway which may clog easier than the others but personally I don't have a problem with that though I know others do. The Wild requires just a tiny bit more air, it is a bit louder but more muted in the higher octave but a strong lower octave. I would guess it is the heaviest and has a wider bore than the Killarney but the same as the Lir. The windway is broader terms of in height but slightly narrower width ways than the Killarney, may lead to less clogging issues if people suffer much with more moisture while playing. The Lir has the most open windway height wise, broadness about the same as the Wild. The Lir has a more flute like sound out of the three with a fuller tone, not as sweet in the second octave as the Killarney and needs a bit more air/push to reach the second octave. It's probably the loudest when pushed. These are all tiny differences in reality so any of them would be a great choice but after playing them for almost 2 years side by side, I have to give the edge to the Killarney for it's ease of playability and the sweeter second octave. Looking forward to your next video 🙂👍 Oh and I do have the John Sindt as well. It has probably the most traditional sounding whistle with that slight raspiness to it but not quite as sweet in the second octave as the Killarney.
Great video! I went from a feadog to a Síog whistle and skipped intermediate entirely... pretty satisfied. The Killarney sounds beautiful, though, and makes me begin to doubt my choice...
Erik, thanks for the comment. I wish I had a Síog so I could comment on its playability. What I have found is I am constantly second guessing which high D whistle to play. There are so many differences in tone, volume, playability, and such. I'd say continue playing your Síog for a good while. You may find over time you love it. Keep listening some to other reviews. If you end up over time not loving it, you could always buy another and sell it. I have, however, not found one high D that would be the whistle I want to pick up every time I play.
Of the four, I own and prefer the Killarney in that range and Sindt style. At a slightly lower price I prefer the Freeman Mellow Dog and Blackbird Great comparison video, thank you for doing so.
I have an A in both the LIR and the WILD whistle. Both are made with excellent craftsmanship, however the WILD IRISH hurts my hands (some arithritis) because it is heavier than the LIR. However, with a high D whistle, the added weight may not be an issue with the Wild one. My Tony Dixon tunable high D is a good reliable whistle which I am using. I ordered a rosewood Harmony high D, but the mouthpiece was rough and looked like it might crack in the future. I had bad luck with the wwoden Volga tuneable as well, and cold hear a brassy rattling sound. I wish I could find a nice wood flute. I will probably return my Harmony for a carbony high D.
Hi Scott how heavy is the Lir whistle compared to the Wild ? I have the Killarney in nickel and its really beautifully light in weight, I have a Wild in D too but its so heavy its like holding a lead pipe and it does tend to slip through my fingers occasionally. I cant make my mind up whether to keep it or ditch it because of its weight and I'm not sure I like its husky tone either 🤔. Its one big plus is it doesnt clog easily like the Killarney. Sound wise the Killarney is really bright and spritely in its sound quality, but I find it difficult to reach the low D when your playing something thats got pace and zing too it, I have to practically stop breathing and open up the inside of my mouth to play the note or else I overblow it and screech or just run out of time to play the note 🫤. I know I will figure this out with more practise but it keeps catching me out. I do like the Killarney though but the Wild hhhmm 🤔. Which is why Im wondering about the weight of the Lir now 🤔.
Such great questions. Thanks for asking, Dave. First on the weight. I should have weighed them. You are right that the Killarney is light. It weighs 2 ounces (57 grams) using our kitchen scales. The Wild weighs almost twice as much at 3.6 ounces (101 grams). The Lir weighs 3.4 ounces (96 grams). This is on our kitchen scales. The Lir is closer in weight to the Wild, but it doesn’t “feel” as heavy. I get what you’re saying about the Killarney. I haven’t spent a great deal of time with it, but in quicker tunes it seems like it doesn’t want to easily run into he low D. It does have a nice tone. As a side note I am amazed how difficult it is to find an all around middle of the road high D. Husky is a good description for the tone of the Wild. It is also amazing how some whistles are not as happy played quickly, or slowly. The Lir plays easily, but seems to me more like the Wild in tone than the Killarney. I hope this helps.
I skipped intermediate whistles. I went from a beginner high D to a Carbony. I like all four of these. They fill different niches. Thanks, Scott.
There is wisdom in your choice Greg. You know you are getting a great whistle that will last. You can fill a niche later if you want. Buying a great choice first normally saves $ in the long run.
Hi Scott, I have the first three of these whistles. It's not easy to get across the differences in sound and tone but they do have slight differences and other build differences...
Here's my take on them which hopefully will add to your thoughts and help others.
The Killarney has a very easy to reach second octave and a slightly sweeter sound in the higher octave, it requires the less air of the three, it's the lightest and has the thinnest bore. It also has the thinnest windway which may clog easier than the others but personally I don't have a problem with that though I know others do.
The Wild requires just a tiny bit more air, it is a bit louder but more muted in the higher octave but a strong lower octave. I would guess it is the heaviest and has a wider bore than the Killarney but the same as the Lir. The windway is broader terms of in height but slightly narrower width ways than the Killarney, may lead to less clogging issues if people suffer much with more moisture while playing.
The Lir has the most open windway height wise, broadness about the same as the Wild. The Lir has a more flute like sound out of the three with a fuller tone, not as sweet in the second octave as the Killarney and needs a bit more air/push to reach the second octave. It's probably the loudest when pushed. These are all tiny differences in reality so any of them would be a great choice but after playing them for almost 2 years side by side, I have to give the edge to the Killarney for it's ease of playability and the sweeter second octave. Looking forward to your next video 🙂👍
Oh and I do have the John Sindt as well. It has probably the most traditional sounding whistle with that slight raspiness to it but not quite as sweet in the second octave as the Killarney.
I was hoping you would chime in my friend. Your description is excellent. I should have asked you first and then I could have just quoted you. 👍😀
@@LowDWhistle 🙂👍
Great video! I went from a feadog to a Síog whistle and skipped intermediate entirely... pretty satisfied. The Killarney sounds beautiful, though, and makes me begin to doubt my choice...
Erik, thanks for the comment. I wish I had a Síog so I could comment on its playability. What I have found is I am constantly second guessing which high D whistle to play. There are so many differences in tone, volume, playability, and such. I'd say continue playing your Síog for a good while. You may find over time you love it. Keep listening some to other reviews. If you end up over time not loving it, you could always buy another and sell it. I have, however, not found one high D that would be the whistle I want to pick up every time I play.
i might get that little cheap Lir c whistle :) just for fun to see what it's like
If you do, I’d love to know what it’s like.
@@LowDWhistle will do ;)
Of the four, I own and prefer the Killarney in that range and Sindt style.
At a slightly lower price I prefer the Freeman Mellow Dog and Blackbird
Great comparison video, thank you for doing so.
My pleasure, and thank you.
I haven’t tried the Mellow Dog or Blackbird. My curiosity is piqued.
I have an A in both the LIR and the WILD whistle. Both are made with excellent craftsmanship, however the WILD IRISH hurts my hands (some arithritis) because it is heavier than the LIR. However, with a high D whistle, the added weight may not be an issue with the Wild one. My Tony Dixon tunable high D is a good reliable whistle which I am using. I ordered a rosewood Harmony high D, but the mouthpiece was rough and looked like it might crack in the future. I had bad luck with the wwoden Volga tuneable as well, and cold hear a brassy rattling sound. I wish I could find a nice wood flute. I will probably return my Harmony for a carbony high D.
Great points that all make sense.
I’m about to order a Carbony. Rob is sending me more than one so I can compare them for us all.
I feel the same about the wood whistles. I expected a warmer rich tone. I think the Carbony may be the thing (I hope)
@@LowDWhistle Great!!!! I look forward to your videos!!
Thank you!
you can probably sort the rattling sound by adding some plumbing tape that's what i did with my ivolga low f i had the same issue it sorted it ;)
Hi Scott how heavy is the Lir whistle compared to the Wild ? I have the Killarney in nickel and its really beautifully light in weight, I have a Wild in D too but its so heavy its like holding a lead pipe and it does tend to slip through my fingers occasionally. I cant make my mind up whether to keep it or ditch it because of its weight and I'm not sure I like its husky tone either 🤔. Its one big plus is it doesnt clog easily like the Killarney. Sound wise the Killarney is really bright and spritely in its sound quality, but I find it difficult to reach the low D when your playing something thats got pace and zing too it, I have to practically stop breathing and open up the inside of my mouth to play the note or else I overblow it and screech or just run out of time to play the note 🫤. I know I will figure this out with more practise but it keeps catching me out. I do like the Killarney though but the Wild hhhmm 🤔. Which is why Im wondering about the weight of the Lir now 🤔.
Such great questions. Thanks for asking, Dave. First on the weight. I should have weighed them. You are right that the Killarney is light. It weighs 2 ounces (57 grams) using our kitchen scales. The Wild weighs almost twice as much at 3.6 ounces (101 grams). The Lir weighs 3.4 ounces (96 grams). This is on our kitchen scales. The Lir is closer in weight to the Wild, but it doesn’t “feel” as heavy. I get what you’re saying about the Killarney. I haven’t spent a great deal of time with it, but in quicker tunes it seems like it doesn’t want to easily run into he low D. It does have a nice tone. As a side note I am amazed how difficult it is to find an all around middle of the road high D. Husky is a good description for the tone of the Wild. It is also amazing how some whistles are not as happy played quickly, or slowly. The Lir plays easily, but seems to me more like the Wild in tone than the Killarney. I hope this helps.
@LowDWhistle Thanks for answering so quickly Scott, looks like the Lir and the Wild are not for me with those weights so back to the quest for me.
The quest is a great one, but can be frustrating
But will definitely be rewarding when you find what you’re after
I heard LIR has a new low cost whistle and that it is quite good. Was this the one? Or the main LIR?
This was he main Lir. I played their Pennywhistle version in a video on October 31. Hope that helps
Another helpful video. I might have all 4. I don’t really have a preference at this stage but I’m sure I will once I’ve played them more.
Nice to have them. My preference actually depends on what I’m playing.
@ oh! Going to check that out!