I had my eye on these whistles for over a year before I finally purchased one a couple months ago. I got the "quiet" High D and it was definitely worth the price. It is hands down the easiest whistle to play that I own, and I own quite a few :) In comparison to Erik the Flutemaker's Carbon Fiber whistles it's MUCH easier to play and requires very little air as you mentioned. Another great review Stephanie!
I lived in Oregon for 20 years. I saw all their products at Celtic festivals. They’re all fantastic. I’ve always wanted a Carbony product. I just wish they are a little less expensive.
I can vouch for their lifetime warranty. I got a high D whistle and there was a problem with some gunk stuck in the windway that I couldn't get out that made the 2nd octave sound awful. I contacted them and they had me send it back to them to be fixed at no charge. They had it back to me in a few days all fixed up and it plays beautifully now. I also have a used B whistle that I got on eBay (it was supposed to be a Bb, but the seller wasn't too familiar with the whistles and got the key wrong). The sound of the B whistle was so gorgeous that I just kept it. I'll be getting that Bb eventually!
I just bought my first (certainly not my last) Carbony low D wide bore close finger spacing whistle and I have a hard time putting it down. It's just so much fun to play, and no shoulder pain!!!!
Always cheers me up when you uploaded a video Stefanie. Great review, and very interesting Whistles. Your “Lonesome boatman” was beautifully played. I know you already have a great Tutorial for this song. But I am sure your playing has evolved since then.i would love too see a new video of you “Just showcasing it on your favourite whistle” Thank’s for the brilliant videos ❤️
I haven't played it for ages 😆 not long I the fairies. Could do with a practice. I've been meaning to upload a low whistle version of May Morning Dew too!
@@CutiepieTinWhistle Please do. You focus so much on helping others too learn. But you have developed into a Beautiful Whistle player yourself. I am sure everybody would love to just hear you play songs you love from time too time.
Those sound fantastic! They're going on my To Purchase list for sure...but not until I get a handle of my Woodi whistles, which I bought during Lockdown.
Nice review! I have the carbony mezzo G and session bore B flat. Love them both. I do agree with you on the smell of the mouthpiece though. It is kind of rubbery. When the whistle is warm (as in left in the sunlight or a warm car) the mouthpiece can give off a slight rubbery taste. Not horrible, but definitely noticeable. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Love the carbony whistles, my go to is the Mezzo A. Finally looked up what ebonite material is , apparently it’s a hard rubber that they make bowling balls with! That explains why the tip smells and tastes like rubber 😂
I love chatting with @robgandara about his products when I see him at Scottish games. I have the High D, Low D, and Mezzo G. I like them a lot. One of the cool features of carbon fibre is that it doesn't really respond to changes in temperature.
High price, yes. They do have a lifetime warranty. And I believe there is a return period, where you can send it back, no questions asked. It is made of carbon fiber, aluminum, and ebonite. This means, it could be the only whistle you would need to buy.
Wow, I live right here in Corvallis, OR where these are made! Just got off the phone with Rob, the builder, and scheduled my first lesson with him next Tues. Will be buying one of his whistles also as soon as I can save up!
I suspect one would have to be playing in a local group or sessions, perhaps making some part of their living playing whistle to pay those prices. It would be interesting is to have a comparison were the viewer cannot see the whistles being played and is not told what make is being played. Could differences in tone and playability be discerned between say a handcrafted Reyburn, at half the price, a mass produced Susato, around $50. and a handcrafted PVC such as Becker, about $20.
@@sahamal_savu What other whistles have you played for comparison? I have a Burke aluminum and a Rayburn brass which were about half the price of the Carbony. It is hard for me to think I'd get $450 superior tone and enjoyment out of the Carbony. And even having the high end whistles mentioned, I still quite often play my $20 Becker, partly because they are quitter and good for playing tunes I'm learning.
@@soslothful Well, to compare between carbon fiber whistles specifically I do have several of Erik the Flutemaker's carbon fiber whistles and the Carbony feels far superior. The difference in price between them is about $100 but the craftsmanship is much better with Carbony. To compare to other whistles I have a Killarney brass that I truly do love to play, a more traditional tone but with the same easy playability and low breath requirements. I have a few Nightingale whistles made by Alexander Karavaev (aluminum) which play well for the price, but like your Becker if I'm just practicing I usually play my Jerry Freeman tweaked. Jerry's whistles are really affordable and the Blackbird I have is quiet enough to not drive the neighbors nuts. But there really is something about the carbon fiber that seems to give a rich, warm tone and the "Quiet" carbony whistle I have isn't shrill at all and stable across all registers. Truly a professional instrument and if I had to only own one whistle, that would be it.
@@sahamal_savu Thanks. Still the price seems high unless one is playing professionally. I have a Killarney D and D s from Reyburn and Burke. I have a hard time imaging the Carbony is so much superior as the be near twice the price.
It is nice being able to experience the whistle through your videos. Of course its not as good as giving the whistle a go on my own. But, I have some idea about Carbony now. I was impressed with the whistle. Here are some more high end whistle you might want to consider.. A Michael Burke whistle. My G whistle by Michael Burke is probably my favorite. Reyburn, whistle are nice. Also, there is the Overton whistle. They company is now operated by Colin Goldie. You probably know this, but the Overton whistle, crafted by Bernard Overton, was supposedly the first "Low Whistle". I can't verify that for sure, but that is the word of the online community. The Overton has a reputation of being a Clog Monster. But, I've never played one. You could review a Goldie whistle as well. But, an original Overton whistle has kind of a legendary mystique to it. Of course finding one is going to be tough. Oh yes, there is another low whislte that is highly sought after. The Copeland handmade low D is rumored to be one of the best. Of course, getting your hands on one is no easy matter. And the cost, *cough*, expect to pay 4 to 5 times as much as the Carbony. That is if you get on the waiting list at all. Sometimes they will pop up on ebay. But, usually not for long.
I don't know if I'd be the best person to review... as they're 'strong blowers' by all accounts...and loud. I've heard wonderful things about them though!
I guess if you played in a band or regularly performed this would be a fair investment. Obviously not intended for bedroom players like myself. But they do sound superb!
Why not???? You ,us , anyone breathing is worth it. Music is worth it. You can musically stretch a lifetime on a quality instrument. So you Are Definite worth it! Save a few months, sell something you aren't using just DO IT...... Besides good instruments hold value cheap ones don't. One could always sell it but that's not the goal. Music is calling us people let's spread some notes
This was really helpful. I have so much trouble with the high A & B on my Susato Kildare, having to blow my lungs out to hit the notes and even then they sound shrill and awful. So I end up going back to my Clark Sweetone or cheap Feadog when I play anything high. I have been eyeballing the Carbony whistles as a possibility, and it’s great to know that the higher notes come easily on the Carbony whistles. I am so glad you mentioned that, this was exactly what I needed to see!
I've wanted to get a susato to try but it seems like I wont like them very much lol. Especially on high whistles I hate hitting high notes I feel like I'm going to kill my ears lol.
Thanks for the review Cutie Pie, very interesting as always :) If you have the opportunity, could you try the "quiet" whistles like Parks and Hush (Feadog or Generation) ? I'm sure lots of people would like to play quietly, your opinion about them would be great... And they're a little bit cheaper than the carbon fiber whistles ^^
Thanks! I had been hoping someone would review these whistles. I am very glad you did. I had heard they were excellent. Seems like you agree. Now if only they would lend you their Low D big bore with close spacing and chimney extenders. (heh) ;)
Stephanie, with these whistles, if you had your choices of keys for high whistles and also low whistles, what would they be? Which are most used by you I guess? Wonderful videos by the way, your one of my favourites to look forward to and watch. Thank you for all you do. 🙂
I have one of their Irish keyless flutes, pretty awesome. The Delrin plastic alternatives just don't come close, only a hand made Grenadilla instrument could be better in my opinion
They have a different sounds and feel definitely, due to the mouthpieces. I only have an Arabian pennywhistle from Erik The Flutemaker though so not a direct comparison. Both sound and play well, though Erik's mouthpiece is now like a Susato. Carbony mouthpieces are unlike any other whistle I've tried!
I present you a challenge: the most mysterious song on the internet. I have been working on it myself and I wonder how your version would differ. CHERRS!
Hi, and thanks for the review! Question--I just got one of their high D whistles (the quiet one) about a month ago. Although I love it, I am really having trouble routinely getting the second octave. I have no problems with this on my other whistle. Any thoughts? I'm actually thinking of returning it for this reason, though I otherwise love it. Thanks!!
Could you please do a video of 'Wild Theme' The theme from the movie Local hero by Mark Knopfler? There's only the one tin whistle tab on you tube and it's a bit short.x
I dont count pulling the headpiece out as true tunable, vs a tuning slide. Unless theres a o-ring or something in the headpiece (which there might be cuz these arent cheap). I had to pull the headpiece out on my feadog to get it to actually be kinda in tune and now the headpiece is loose and I had to tape it on so it doesnt move lol.... But these still seem very nice.
I don't know why, but I LOL-ed at 7:00 when you sniffed the mouth piece and commented on it. The thickness and bore on that B flat is interesting. In theory that should effect the tuning of the second octave and make it slightly out of tune.
@@CutiepieTinWhistle Yes, from what I've read that should fix it. I've made a few of my own whistles, and they were terrible, so I appreciate seeing these well made ones.
Online resources: Whistle Tutor, Ryan Duns, The Whistler, Brother Steve's Whistle Page. OAIM. Grey Larson and Stephen Ducke, Mary Bergin , Home Spun Music for printed.
@@happytrails5342 You're welcome. And I'll add this - check out Becker Whistles. I have my forth on the way. Hand crafted PVC and at prices at which he is making them for the love of the art rather than a business. Happy whistling!
Hi Cutiepie! Please help me... Should I start with a tin whistle before I try low d whistle? I have only played a recorder at school when I was a child and a little bit guitar after that. Now I'm almost 30 years old and I just love how the low d whistle sounds. I know that you must hold these two flutes differently and low d whistle looks more harder to finger.. But is it that hard that you recommend me to start with tin whistle? Sorry my bad english skills :)
@@jjohpe Hello :) it doesn't matter whether you start with a low whistle or high whistle. You never have to play high whistles if you don't want to. Low whistles are harder to play, that's all. As long as you choose a whistle in the key of D, (low D or high D) you'll be able to follow most of the tutorials. You can pick up affordable low whistles (from £40 upwards) and high whistles (from £5 upwards), so it might be worth getting both :) Check out my tips on choosing your first high whistle: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9CXpoO_H60A.html and low whistle: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6wTTiCBkkE4.html Try the below makers for low whistles: www.shearwaterwhistles.com/ jamesdominicmusic.com/ www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/
Hi thanks for the review they look very interesting I’ll check out the web site - they make didgeridoos that is worth a look too. Do you have a direct email line or way to contact you directly ?
I have an email if you need to contact me sbfilmstudios@gmail.com :) also you can send direct messages on instagram and facebook :) or just reply here.
It's been Chris Wall's Sweetbrass for a while. I just love how responsive and dynamic it is. And it's such a pure angelic sound. I'm not sure yet if I like the Carbony more. I prefer the Bb to the D at the moment 😊
Gosh..another whistle for my "wish-list". Which do you use more? Low G, Low B or Low Bflat? When putting out that much, I want to get it right. Your suggestion please 🙂
I really like the tone of these whistles but it is too pricey for a beginner like me to justify. If I stick with it long enough to make a cheap whistle sound good I may consider getting better quality gear.
That smell is the ebonite, hard rubber mouthpiece. It will fade in a year or so due to off gassing. Some people actually seem to get addicted to the smell.
You can soak the fipple in a saturated solution of baking soda and water for a couple days to remove the smell. One tablespoon baking soda to one cup of water
Carving whistle makers: “After thousands of hours of engineering we’ve done it… our families are in shambles our backs broken but we’ve made it, a perfect whistle with absolutely no issues…” Cutie pie: “This mouthpiece smells funny”
