Please explain: the Tony DIxon website has this info: "We only make low D metal whistles as tuneables as the greater mass of material takes longer to warm up and so come up to playing pitch which can be a problem with one piece whistles.".........THEREFORE, if the whistle is tunable, and the player says "it's flat", then when first playing it along with an electronic keyboard, why didn't the reviewer TUNE THE WHISTLE FIRST, and THEN run through the octaves and extremes of notes to see if there is a tuning problem? Has that person never seen a whistle before other than a Generation or FeaDog? The reviewer at first says "so far so good", and then instantly changes his mind entirely, almost in the same breath. How is that sane? Is this a Monty Python job application video? Surely there's a hedge hog jumping in and out of a watering can 20,000 times a second behind the Dyslexic Dentist who can tell us where the tuning problem is. The problem is not with the whistle, but there is a big problem with this review! And something's clogged, but it's not the Tony Dixon whistle! I have found many whistle models by both companies that seem to be excellent instruments. Other than that, I have nothing particularly for or against either company, I don't know those people and have no favorites. Seriously, this review video needs to be deleted, it's absurd.
Reviews are useful for those who are trying to choose an instrument, although nothing beats trying an instrument, since different people will look for different things in a whistle (tuning, materials, volume, air requirements, clogging-proof, tone, chiff, back pressure, bottom note, hole size and placement, easy transition between octaves, etc.). All you can ask from a reviewer is for them to give their honest opinion about the products, which I think Tony genuinely does here. You might argue that KW are featuring the review as a way to somehow criticise a competitors' product, but the thing is, Phil has featured many whistles from other makers in his channel and often given them glowing reviews. If I were you I'd find more comparisons and then make up my mind.
The tony dixon plays much easier and more accurate. The optima fought me every time on the higher octave and sounded wonky. Even after replacing the fipple. Also it is rather heavy and makes my hands fatigued compared to the aluminum Tony Dixon.
I used to have the Dixon whistle demonstrated in this video, and I pretty much agree with the assessment of it. The intonation was problematic for me, which is why I finally sold it. I currently own a Dixon plastic low D with slightly tapered bore. The intonation is better but...the character of the sound just isn't that good, in my opinion. The only advantage of the plastic Dixon that I can think of is that it doesn't take much air to run it. I also own a Kerry Optima blue top that I got when they were on sale a couple of years ago. The intonation is spot on and the tone is much more complex and interesting. It's also not too taxing in terms of breath requirements. I'll likely pick up one of the new all-metal ones. If I have any single complaint about the Optima it's that the low D isn't as robust as I'd like, but everything else about it is very good. I don't know if that's different on the new Optimas. I also got an MK Kelpie some months ago, which is much less expensive than the MK Pro, but still a good bit more than the Kerry Optima. The Kelpie has a stronger low D than the Optima, but apart from that it's a slightly quieter whistle, to my surprise (Reviews had led me to expect the opposite). But the Kelpie fights with me on the high notes, whereas the Optima sings them very nicely. The Optima is by far the one I play the most.
Iagree Yes Dixon's PVC D is pretty soft, good for indoor private playing, not so good outdoors, not good with others, can't push it at all, not alot of texture in the sound.. but it is responsive and easy to play and hold
Please explain: the Tony DIxon website has this info: "We only make low D metal whistles as tuneables as the greater mass of material takes longer to warm up and so come up to playing pitch which can be a problem with one piece whistles.".........THEREFORE, if the whistle is tunable, and the player says "it's flat", then when first playing it along with an electronic keyboard, why didn't the reviewer TUNE THE WHISTLE FIRST, and THEN run through the octaves and extremes of notes to see if there is a tuning problem? Has that person never seen a whistle before other than a Generation or FeaDog? The reviewer at first says "so far so good", and then instantly changes his mind entirely, almost in the same breath. How is that sane? Is this a Monty Python job application video? Surely there's a hedge hog jumping in and out of a watering can 20,000 times a second behind the Dyslexic Dentist who can tell us where the tuning problem is. The problem is not with the whistle, but there is a big problem with this review! And something's clogged, but it's not the Tony Dixon whistle! I have found many whistle models by both companies that seem to be excellent instruments. Other than that, I have nothing particularly for or against either company, I don't know those people and have no favorites. Seriously, this review video needs to be deleted, it's absurd.
This is Tony Hinnigans opinion, you''ll need to speak to him as it is his review.
The Dixon sounds plasticky? It's metal! It doesn't sound plasticky.
Kerry whistles are great instruments, there isn’t any need to resort to criticising someone else’s product to promote your own.
Hi Steve, thes are reviews not criticisems and also 7 years ago...a bit of Tony history. Also, see bellow, ubizmo.
Reviews are useful for those who are trying to choose an instrument, although nothing beats trying an instrument, since different people will look for different things in a whistle (tuning, materials, volume, air requirements, clogging-proof, tone, chiff, back pressure, bottom note, hole size and placement, easy transition between octaves, etc.). All you can ask from a reviewer is for them to give their honest opinion about the products, which I think Tony genuinely does here. You might argue that KW are featuring the review as a way to somehow criticise a competitors' product, but the thing is, Phil has featured many whistles from other makers in his channel and often given them glowing reviews. If I were you I'd find more comparisons and then make up my mind.
Tony Dixon Low D : 0:48
Kerry Pro low D : 2:31
Kerry Optima Low D : 3:05
The tony dixon plays much easier and more accurate. The optima fought me every time on the higher octave and sounded wonky. Even after replacing the fipple. Also it is rather heavy and makes my hands fatigued compared to the aluminum Tony Dixon.
I used to have the Dixon whistle demonstrated in this video, and I pretty much agree with the assessment of it. The intonation was problematic for me, which is why I finally sold it. I currently own a Dixon plastic low D with slightly tapered bore. The intonation is better but...the character of the sound just isn't that good, in my opinion. The only advantage of the plastic Dixon that I can think of is that it doesn't take much air to run it.
I also own a Kerry Optima blue top that I got when they were on sale a couple of years ago. The intonation is spot on and the tone is much more complex and interesting. It's also not too taxing in terms of breath requirements. I'll likely pick up one of the new all-metal ones. If I have any single complaint about the Optima it's that the low D isn't as robust as I'd like, but everything else about it is very good. I don't know if that's different on the new Optimas.
I also got an MK Kelpie some months ago, which is much less expensive than the MK Pro, but still a good bit more than the Kerry Optima. The Kelpie has a stronger low D than the Optima, but apart from that it's a slightly quieter whistle, to my surprise (Reviews had led me to expect the opposite). But the Kelpie fights with me on the high notes, whereas the Optima sings them very nicely.
The Optima is by far the one I play the most.
Iagree Yes Dixon's PVC D is pretty soft, good for indoor private playing, not so good outdoors, not good with others, can't push it at all, not alot of texture in the sound.. but it is responsive and easy to play and hold
Point well taken..just wanted to see the response and yes great instrument
Great comparison video!
If I had the money, I would buy all three.
Of course you will choose the Kerry whistle ...you are being biased ...
Interesting comment Benito, if you knew Tomny you would know that he is completely unbiased. Try them for yourself!