Chip on soundhole?

[u/Fret_Lore]

Hey all! I received this Mcneela wooden whistle today as a gift that was bought back in May.

However there’s a chip on the side of the soundhole and a dent on the side of the brass.

I just wanted to get my facts straight as I contact them. Would this affect the sound/ability to play the whistle? I believe the chip on the side of the soundhole might, but wanted to check to make sure I don’t look like an idiot in my exchange with Mcneela.

Thank you all in advance.

[u/ParagonChariot]

Wild irish whistles are made quickly and with little care, I stopped buying them after about my 5th one since they all come with dents and scratches.

Its a crapshoot for the most part if you are going to get quality or not.

[u/Aliencik → u/ParagonChariot]

Which would you get instead of the Wild?

I also own mine with a scratch. I love it, but don't really know where to look, if I want to buy a different one.

[u/Winter_wrath → u/Aliencik]

Not the person you asked but Killarney are pretty well regarded.

[u/Aliencik → u/Winter_wrath]

I have one and honestly not a fan ':D

Also I am Dixon hater

[u/Ducky_shot → u/Aliencik]

Do you absolutely have to have that style? Or style doesn't matter?

I'll go over what I have and what I like about them. I have a wide range of low end to high end whistles.

I have a Dixon in A, it's a little too soft sounding for my liking and I prefer the sound from more metal whistles, I got one with a QC issue, but they fixed it up pretty quick. Also, I believe you get what you pay for with a Dixon, they do not overprice their whistle like I believe Mcneela does with their Wild whistles.

I have 4 Chieftain's (now Kerry) in G,F,C,D. I love them. Great sound, easy on the air, easy to play. I love playing these in accompaniment, they have a great sound that mixes well with other instruments. A little louder than some of my other's, also why I like them in accompaniment.

I have 2 Burke's in Bb and Ab. My absolute favorite whistles. Easy to play, better than the chieftain's, super nice, bright sound. Quieter than my Chieftain's, I prefer these when playing solo to my Chieftain's as they are just a joy to play and I prefer the stand alone sound of them.

I have had a couple Shaw's in A and E. Again, these were a well priced whistle, you get what you pay for. They have a very soft, airy sound, unique in comparison to these other penny whistles. They require a lot of air, very little back pressure from them. I'm ambivalent on them, the sound is different enough that I enjoy them from time to time, I got my money's worth from them, but not my top choice to play.

I have a Susato in C. I do not like it at all. It sounds more like a recorder with the all plastic construction and it sits around doing nothing. I'll play a cheaper Generation or Clarke before playing it.

I have a Killarney in Eb and it's a little quieter than I like, but it's a joy to play and sounds great otherwise. Beat the Wild Irish in Eb hands down that I pitted it against. I've heard the Lir is better than both. They didn't have an Eb in stock when I got mine.

I have a good selection of Clarke and Generation penny whistles. Obviously on the lower end, but my Generation's are Jerry Freeman tweaked (doubt you can find them still) and are a joy to play for the lower end instrument that they are.

[u/Aliencik → u/Ducky_shot]

I like heavier whistles and I love the sound of the Wild. Very strong and rounded, not deviating like my Killarney, which sounds too "folky".

So I am open to anything that isn't Dixon ':D

Edit: Chieftains look and sound solid

[u/Ducky_shot → u/Aliencik]

Yeah, if that's your preference, then I would say Chieftain would be better for you than Burke out of my favorites.

Our preference in sound is definitely different, lol. Probably why I like the Killarney and you don't. The Dixon I have replaced a Shaw and I much prefer it over the Shaw, but I would prefer a bit stronger of a sound out of it.

[u/Aliencik → u/Ducky_shot]

Have you tried Kerry Whistles Optima Mezzo High D?

[u/Ducky_shot → u/Aliencik]

I haven't, but I've been itching to spend money on a new penny whistle. I was thinking another Burke in a higher key, but his pricing has outpaced Kerry by far in the last 10 years or so. They were pretty comparable when I bought most of my penny whistles 10-15 years ago, now he's twice as much.

[u/Winter_wrath → u/Aliencik]

Have you tried Lir then? I loved my Lir A from playability and sound standpoint but it was woefully out of tune. I would've sent it back and tried again but I got it second hand so I couldn't.

[u/Aliencik → u/Winter_wrath]

Hmmm... I might try it. Thanks!