Thomann Irish Whistle D

I've been blowing air into instruments for 12 years, and now I breathed into this one; read my experience below.

• SOUND: Sufficiently loud, very mellow. There's That One Expensive American Maker manufacturing wonderful whistles for about 30 bucks, and the first octave of the Thomann whistle can almost keep up in quality. The second one will give you more air and intensity. I usually stick to the first octave.

• FEATURES: With this, I rated the capability of the instrument to provide nice sounding ornamentation like cuts and strikes. While responsive to ornamentation, cuts and strikes are rather bland harmonics-wise compared to other whistles.

• RESPONSE: About what I'm used to with whistles — breath control feels natural, not too sensitive and not too stubborn.

• QUALITY: The make is impressively simplistic and smooth. However, there's something about the seam on the sound chamber that makes it scream "plastic!" Granted, that wouldn't be far off the mark, but is that the story you want the instrument to tell without anyone asking? Its look is affected solely by the seam though. The rest looks clean. I've paid more for cheaper-looking instruments.

Want to try a whistle? Get this.

I play flute, bagpipes and lute in a historical street musical theatre group where I have to compete with up to 5 guild drums. These whistles are very much up to the task of making themselves heard amongst the drums.

Some of my group members are learning to play the whistle as well and for this price the whistles are very good beginners instruments.

Yes, they are a bit loud, especially in the upper octave, but hey, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

So if you want to buy a very good whistle for concerts, this may not be the one, but if you want to start out or you need volume, this is certainly a good way to go.

I bought both the D and G whistles together as postage was no more for one (£7ish to UK) than two. I've just taken up whistle, but got skilled friends to test my new ones. I bought on recommendation from someone at a workshop. We compared hers with various others. iIt compared well with a much more expensive Suzato and was far cheaper, and much better all round than a basic untuneable tin whistle, with a less harsh sound than one too.

Nice mellow tone, plays well and loudly enough through its range, not so temperature sensitive as a metal whistle, and plays nicely softly too (great for practicing without annoying the family/neighbours).

This whistle isn't actually one piece, as described on the website, but has a moveable/tunable head, which is rare in a whistle of this price range. It comes in a basic but adequate bag for the price with the D marked on the outside so you don't get the wrong one out in a hurry.

Quite delighted with my whistles!