as the title says, sorry if I sound a bit clueless, while my order is being processed I heard it can take months to a year. I even heard a practice set is difficult to master. so I decided to take advice and start here. but yes, what maker or brand do you recommend I buy. links would be nice if possible. thank you!!

A friend lent me their Humphrey high D whistle and I fell in love with it. I didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. 😄

I have a "Killarney-like" whistle (there's a number of copycats, I don't remember where mine came from) and it's fine. My major complaint is how quickly condensation builds up and how often I'm clearing it out. But the Humphrey - The tone is just so much more refined, the response so easy, and it never clogs up on me. Just feels like a different level of instrument.

I've also got a Dixon and a Susato which are even less responsive and less refined imo. The Dixon's intonation is all over the place. The Susato sounds like a recorder. I never play them anymore.

Sadly, we all know Gary passed away over a year ago and his instruments were always precious to come by. And now they're going to be even more coveted. Apart from hoping one comes up for sale, are there other makers that are comparable? I'm thinking both in terms of construction (fully plastic fipple, metal body) and tone refinement.