McNeela Wild Irish Soprano D Whistle vs. Killarney Brass

[@NathanielDowell]

Time Stamps 2:22 - McNeela Wild 1 2:38 - McNeela Wild 2 4:10 - McNeela Wild 3 3:07 - Killarney 1 3:18 - Killarney 2 3:37 - Killarney 3

[@karenringer5995]

Where would I be able to buy the Killarney whistle from . It sounds alive

[@tim6151]

@@karenringer5995 McNeela Music sells it for $100.00 + S&H.

[@davidmassey-brown2783]

A larger scale (bore) and thicker metal emphasizes fewer overtones than a smaller bore and thinner walls. That accounts for the tonal difference. The McNeela has a “purer” tone because of fewer overtones. More overtones generally produce a tone with more “character.” It’s also why the ornamentations are sharper on the Killarney.

[@bridboland8839]

Thank you == very helpful

[@СамуилПрилокний]

Killarney one is like a blossom- cherry desert, deliciously pleasing. McNeela one is the summer path through richness of nature .

[@annep.1905]

Lovely poetic analogy!

[@karenringer5995]

Looks like I may land up with 2 whistles .

[@adassa1132]

Perfectly explained and I totally agree with you which is why I made my decision, and purchased the McNeela earlier this morning. I saw that other guy's video you're referring to as well just before yours actually, what a coincidence.

[@deniscardinaux1347]

Thank's for the great review. I own Killarney brass D (Kb) and Wild Irish Whistle (WIW), and love them both (same range, both wonderful, easy to play, good balanced between 2 octaves, few air, responsive, pleasant soft sound) but In my humble opinion: 1- WIW is just splendid! The black coating is very well done ans durable. Kb will oxidise, which has also a great charm. 2- WIW is more comfortable and stable in my hands: larger size of the tube, confortable coating which make it heavier. Less dampness on the fingers when played for a long time. Kb gives a more fragile feel. I prefer WIW very much. 3- The sound of WIW is rather traditional, something more breathy and soft. Kb is lighter and more delicate and allows for slightly more precision. Slightly sweeter high notes on the Kb (that’s the strength of Kb). WIW has more character, consistency, control and stability. Matter of preference. Playing long time, I Prefer WIW… 4- The charming Kb has a clogging tendency. No clogging on the WIW because of the wider opening of the mouthpiece. Just perfect ! As for the rest, I've fallen in love with Wild Irish Whistle, and own the full set (A, B flat, C, D, E flat). I really love them all. But the B Flat and C are my best ever tried Whistles. Just incomparable. I hope I've been able to help with my humble experience. All the best

[@NathanielDowell]

Great overview of your experience, with some good differentiators that could help people decide between the two.

[@davehatch2828]

Killarney whistle for me ,well made in Ireland, I like the breathier sound ,wild whistle,which I have,always sounds shrill in second octave seems more work to control .

[@MPahana]

I have both. I find the Killarney quicker and brighter, and the Wild warmer and prettier, but a little on the heavy side. I like to play either one, but give a slight edge to the Killarney :)

[@staceyunderwood5481]

I wouldnt have thought of playing ashokan farewell on a whistle ... but oh my stars 😢❤ i am going to try that later! Beautifully played!

[@tim6151]

The more I listen to these two whistles played, the more of a difference I hear. The Killarney has a cleaner; purer sound than the Wild Irish. They both sound great, but the Wild Irish is slightly more "breathy" than the Killarney. I attribute that to the larger diameter of the tube like you said, Nathan. I believe McNeela deliberately designed it that way. It has just a tiny bit of chiff that doesn't distract from the tone but adds to the overall dynamic of the sound. I like both of these whistles and still don't know which one to buy, as I can only afford one.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Mcneel sounds a little more woody in a way - it's the more open quality that softens it I think, so it feels thicker and somewhat mellower

[@TheMtnmamma]

I splurged and bought 2 Irish Whistles, maybe it is good I didn’t realize they were made in China , as I recently bought a cheap whistle from Amazon and it sounded terrible and was made in China . I returned it promptly . But I LOVE MY WILD IRISH WHISTLES . They are amazing instruments, so I am glad I didn’t realize where they were made

[@annep.1905]

Wild Irish should be made in Ireland, I think

[@alcarinquez]

Sorry to hear that you had bought those factory-made whistles in China… but just you know, there is actually a really great whistle maker & craftsman in Beijing, his brand is called Galeón whistles. I’ve listened to people playing those - Wonderful instruments they truly are… Made in China isn’t an original sin haha

[@jlmcguire339]

Hi Nathaniel, I am thinking of buying some whistles for my daughter who has been playing for several years so I have decided to get a big upgrade and also some additional low and high whistles. I am thinking of getting them all from Goldie - Tenor D, Soprano D how ever I am not sure on what other two whistles to get. I want to get 2 more for her but I don't know which keys to get. I would prefer to get one more low and one more high whistle but like I said I am just not sure of the keys. Do you have any idea on what two others I should get? Great video, Thanks

[@atomicgunpla]

Thanks for this video, I can totally hear the difference in those ornaments

[@roccotoothycombs]

I just ordered the mcneela I played Clarkes and other inexpensive whistles for 25 years. The mcneela looks built study I’ll enjoy that. Now where it gets expensive is getting them in different keys lol. I’ll probably end up with the Killarney as well. Why? I got advanced on inexpensive whistles now I’m older and can afford €89 per whistle. It’s not the instrument so much rather the player. My exception are cheap drums and guitars that won’t stay in tune, drums with hardware that last 10 shows lol but I can rock the cheap but going up in price you get what you pay for and it’s usually good.

[@ketobarbelle8051]

The key differences that I've seen in the two is that the McNeela is much better balanced in the hand, and the McNeela rarely clogs. My Killarney clogs constantly in the middle of tunes and it drives me nuts. This makes the McNeela whistle WAY more playable for me. I loved my Killarney, but the McNeela whistle is like they took a Killarney and then fixed the problems that I was having with it. The Killarney was my favorite before I got the McNeela, but the McNeela has since become my hands-down favorite for its ability to get me through a practice session without having to constantly suck the condensation out of the windway in the middle of every tune. I also have the Bb McNeela. While it took me a bit to get used to the bigger whistle compared to my cheap Tony Dixon Trad Brass Bb, it's a fantastic whistle too.

[@NathanielDowell]

Good to hear. I like that they seem to have a different bore for each key, at least for D, C, and Bb.

[@davehatch2828]

Depends how much saliva you produce , some folk are wet Whistlers some not so much

[@marklammas2465]

Hi Keto. Try this... Make a small amount of very dilute washing up liquid solution, and dip the business end of your Killarney in it. Shake out the excess fluid. The minutely thin layer of detergent molecules left on the surface of the windway should break up the water molecules condensing inside the windway and causing the clogging. If not perfection, improvement. Repeat as necessary. Also, warm your whistles in your hand or under your armpit before playing. Blow into a cold whistle, and the the moisture condenses there immediately. Blow into a warm whistle; no condensation. Try blowing on a cold winter window. That's what's happening inside your whistle.

[@markc1234golf]

blow moisture OUT don't suck back in... imagine the stuff that is growing inside the whistle 😳😳

[@markc1234golf]

yes that has helped me too with my low c howard it's brilliant @@marklammas2465

[@bhgardeners]

I have had a brass killarney for almost 3 years, I play for my own pleasure not in a group, I play entirely by ear and the notes produced by the killarney are ,to me at least, perfect, which means that the whistle reproduces the tune in my head, cheap whistles fail in that way. For me apart from loving the sound it is also the whistle which requires the least air which make playing and breathing control easy. CLOGGING !!! When I first purchased the whistle, I too had a problem. However it was not the whistle it was ME, probably because I had been used to cheap generation whistles which required more effort and I was working the Killarrne too hard. These days I can play for hours at a time and no clogging !!!!!!!!!! If you are looking for a reliable whistle easy to play and a lovely sound,the killarney will not let you down. Ps. I take a cheap generation whistle with me in the van ,playing in the breaks, I am buying a second whistle for travelling, will it be a Wild, a lir,etc etc , No ,it will be another killarney.

[@JustinPlaysOboe]

What's the name of this song? 4:10 - McNeela Wild 3

[@NathanielDowell]

Ashokan Farewell

[@jonnilehtiranta]

thank you, it's helpful! I think I hear the McNeela being louder in the high octave, while the Killarney whistle sounds more bearable in the very high notes. Do you notice the same? Can you comment on that?

[@NathanielDowell]

That's my experience. My Killarney is quieter in the second octave than most high D whistles, but do yourself a favor and get some musicians earplugs, or Mack's Flightguard earplugs. Makes high D whistles much more enjoyable.

[@jweaks]

Yes... SUPER helpful

[@LMLewis]

Thanks so much. What was the piece you began playing at 3:41?

[@NathanielDowell]

Ashokan Farewell

[@LMLewis]

@@NathanielDowell Thank you!

[@giorgiolamborghini813]

I don't know if it's my impression but it seems to me that Mc Neela requires more air than Killarney also because Mc Neela I feel more open. Having neither, I only express what I hear from the video.

[@NathanielDowell]

I think that's a fair assessment.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

I have the McNeela and love ut

[@soslothful]

Glad to see you got the Wild. I very much like mine. Are you familiar with Susato's Dulce Duo? I have one kicking about and would be glad of a tutorial.

[@NathanielDowell]

I'm not familiar with that model.

[@soslothful]

@@NathanielDowell Two whistle bodies, each with a head piece which are joined. The right hand whistle is a standard D. The left just the 3 bottom holes. This allows harmonies to be played. So far I haven't found any tutorial information.

[@soslothful]

@@NathanielDowell Update. I found a video on the Duo. The full whistle is on the left , the 3 hole on the right. This reflects a standard whistle, L hand top, R, bottom. Then one plays as usual. Eureka! Now it makes sense! It works well for a tune like Swallowtail jig but makes Amazing Grace too playful sounding. Not all the notes harmonize well. This is the work discovery part of it.

[@karenringer5995]

I found this very interesting. I am a complete beginner .. and I play what I class as a normal flute. I would like to buy a good quality whistle . .

[@NathanielDowell]

For a complete beginner, I often recommend the inexpensive Clarke Sweetone because it has a high quality to price ratio. For $15, you get a lovely little whistle that can help you learn the basics of breath control, fingering, and it's good enough that you could use it as your primary whistle for years (or forever, for some players). If the whistle turns out to be a passing interest, you haven't lost much in the investment. I prefer a thicker tone, so I'd definitely go for the Killarney over the Sweetone, if I had to choose one, but the Sweetone got me back into high whistles with its sweet second octave, and it was my go-to high D whistle for years. That being said, if you have the money and the commitment, there's nothing wrong with buying a Killarney (or equivalent), right off the bat.

[@karenringer5995]

@@NathanielDowell loving the Clarke sweet tone. .ooo ermm oh look I found another one whistle that is.

[@moneymay7050]

Hi there I have a Killarney D , also just ordered a wild Atlantic but I feel the Burke is much better than both would you agree? Nice review btw

[@NathanielDowell]

I prefer my Burke to either the Wild or Killarney.

[@Ubertubermeister]

@@NathanielDowell between the Session bore or Narrow bore which Burke High D would you say is better choice to meet both session playing, solo playing, gig, playing, small group play? I am ready to drop the $$$ but only for one - Both are presently "in stock" whereas the Goldies may take weeks (month) before even shipping - Thanks

[@pkeelan56]

I don’t like the first octave C on the Killarney. On Mine you can’t use the the upper hand fingers 2 and 3 for C. I don’t like that.

[@RenaissanceEarCandy]

The Killarney sounds so much more controlled.

[@handleofvecna2443]

Where do you order Killarney whistles from in the US? Are there any US distributors?

[@NathanielDowell]

Not sure. You might check Hobgoblin USA or The Irish Flute Store. I'd just order direct from Killarney.

[@handleofvecna2443]

@NathanielDowell Thank you so much for a few different options, I'll take a look and see what works best w/ shipping!

[@tim6151]

McNeela sells both the Killarney and the Wild Irish whistles.

[@thedudeabides3167]

Hey Nathaniel. What is the slower tune that you are playing here?

[@NathanielDowell]

Probably "Ashokan Farewell"

[@carolinequinton5980]

To me, the mcneela sounds a little more like a recorder and the Killarney sounds a bit more like a picallo? Could this be true?

[@NathanielDowell]

I haven't played piccolo or recorder, so it's hard to say. The recorders I've heard tend to be more focused and reedy sounding than most whistles, but that voicing also varies by maker. Bleazey and Swayne both make conical bore wooden whistles that are possibly inspired by that recorder tone, with Swayne's actually looking a bit like a recorder. Susato is another one with a strong, reedy, focused sound that people tend to love or hate.

[@michaelrs8010]

Okay, a little late to this party, but I have a question. Was kind of contemplating between the Killarney in the Lir, but I heard there are some shipment problem these days with the Lir, so now I'm looking between the Killarney and the Wild. So do I take away from this evaluation that if one is not into a more "breathy" sound, one should go with the Wild?

[@NathanielDowell]

I feel like the Wild is breathier and more open. The Killarney is purer, but slightly more compressed.

[@michaelrs8010]

@@NathanielDowell thank you

[@quickdogz]

@@NathanielDowell I received the Wild Bb for Christmas. Lovely whistle! And I'm in agreement that it's rich, resonant, and so full sounding. I've just picked up a Killarney high D used and I'm awaiting it's arrival. After coming back to this review, I kinda wish I'd held out to get the Wild high D. My taste leans toward that more open sound you describe with the Wild and I was surprised, coming back to this review, it was even easy to hear just using my laptop without headphones. Ack. There are no bad whistles but oh, so many to choose from!

[@NathanielDowell]

@@quickdogz well hopefully the Killarney surprises you (in the best way). If not, I think Wild whistles will be around for some time.

[@tylerdelgregg7879]

The other whistler you refer to is a bit glib, but he plays well. I can’t farhom his opinion on the Wild.

[@praisewhistle9235]

what's the name of the last song you played? :)

[@NathanielDowell]

Ashokan Farewell

[@markc1234golf]

It's more "mellow" i think the Wild whistle that is

[@maximiliangruber8641]

Song at 3:30???

[@NathanielDowell]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXLHYWZ6hNSNobM

[@annewright5096]

Did you find there was a difference in the weight of the two whistles?

[@NathanielDowell]

Not a significant difference. They've both got some nice heft.

[@annewright5096]

Thank you. I 'm not sure 'heft' is what I need - elderly wrists and all that!

[@NathanielDowell]

The Goldfinch soprano D has a similarly pure sound as the Killarney, but the CPVC makes it very light. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX_JZ6yuq7B6pK8

[@annewright5096]

@@NathanielDowell I will have a look at them. Thans.

[@finishutchison1518]

Bought the Wild from Mcneela. Instant regret. It clogs too easily. I hope I can get a refund.

[@NathanielDowell]

Might see if they'll exchange it. I've never heard of clogging issues with the Wild, but I've heard some people complaining about their Killarney clogging, but mine has never had an issue. I figure that there's an occasional one that's got a defect in the windway that causes moisture issues. If you've washed it out, verified there's nothing obviously stuck in the windway, and you otherwise like the tone, I'd ask for an exchange or replacement.

[@leonjacobs5618]

i'm a beginner whistler but not a beginner thinker. The contention is almost that McNeela is similar to the Killarney so why bother. That's like saying "Mazda is similar to Toyota" so why bother making a Mazda. I have watched many of Whistle Tutor's videos. He is a great player and teacher, but his comments regarding the McNeela are of no use to anyone.

[@ytliekb]

I prefer the John Sindt whistle to either of those two whistles. To each their own.

[@NathanielDowell]

What do you find sets the Sindt apart? I've heard that it handles differently, and the cross fingered Cnat isn't great, but I've never played one.

[@ytliekb]

@@NathanielDowell The consistency from many years ago to the present remains the same. Knowing that it is specifically made by one individual, John Sindt, ensures the consistency and quality. The cross fingered Cnat isn't as big an issue as so many folks claim, while players vary in their experiences and abilities, likes and dislikes. Some tunes allow the cross fingered Cnat to be more noticeable while for the majority of tunes especially dance music it is less noticeable. Sindt whistle was designed specifically for playing Irish traditional music keeping the tone similar to previous dance music. Some whistle makers (and players) from around the world aren't specifically designing or playing whistle for Irish traditional music, music yes, but not Irish dance music. Also, not all whistle makers are Irish traditional music players, builders yes, not players for the tradition. Hobbiest builders too. The Wild whistle is heavier and noticeable when playing for awhile. I like all three brands, prefer the Sindt for most playing and enjoy wood whistles too which I don't think get enough mention. I highly recommend you get a Sindt whistle directly from JS while still possible. Secondary market is too unpredictable price wise and tweaks get made, tubes swapped, or carving of some type. YMMV

[@NathanielDowell]

@@ytliekb nice. I've thought about contacting John Sindt about a whistle, but while I'm sure his whistles are excellent, the Sindt style isn't really my cup of tea. I bought the Wild set out of curiosity, but I'll probably end up selling at least the D, and as much as I like the Killarney, it isn't even my first choice for high D 90% of the time. I tend to go for my Burke, McManus, or Carbony, if I'm not playing a low whistle or flute instead. If I had to prioritize phenomenal makers who might not be making much longer, I'd prioritize low whistles from Burke and Swayne. I've been thinking about emailing Michael Burke about getting a really honking brass low whistle, but money is always finite.

[@usernamemykel]

Yes, but - nothing beats my Sindt (from which Killarneys are cloned). I bought it from John in 1999 when he hadn't quite reached star-power, for only $60 USD. LOVE IT - will never sell it.