MkWhistles Reviews 35

I bought my first MK whistle 16 years ago, and followed with interest the development of the world's first chromatic low D whistle, the Chameleon, which I was delighted to buy about a year ago. I recently contacted MK whistles about a pad which had become loose just a few days before a series of important gigs. I received a reply straight away from Misha who showed great patience and understanding of my situation, and, despite the huge distance between Hampshire and Glasgow, managed to repair the whistle beautifully with updated pads and screws, and get it back to me within 2 days. I'm deeply grateful for the quality of support and craftsmanship offered by Misha and his team.

These whistles look great and sound even better. I have used a number in different keys, from high D (midge) to low D for a number of years. They’re a joy to use. MK are also very responsive to questions. Terrific to see these top end instruments being produced by a model of a Scottish company.

My MK Pro low D whistle is an amazing sounding instrument - even for me as a beginner. It is a pleasure to play - even as I am still learning the instrument. I was also really impressed with the customer service. I had a question about the tuning of the whistle and Misha came straight back with the answer. I honestly couldn't be happier.

Delivery is very speedy with packaging that's highly appropriate to the contents! I have a beautiful Low D whistle (a Kelpie) which I absolutely adore. I recently had a query regarding a cleaning mop I'd bought. I had a lovely helpful and courteous reply later that same day - even though it was a Friday and I hadn't expected a response until after the weekend. The suggestions solved my problem straightaway. Great company with fantastic products and excellent customer service, I'm a very happy customer!

Ordered an MK Midgie to the US. Not only was the quality great and delivery quick but the customer service was amazing as well. Needed a new seal and they quickly shipped it to me across the pond free of charge, I definitely recommend MK

What can I say! MK make amazing whistles and deliver top notch quality of service! Communication was clear and delivery swift. I love the whistles I have received from them and will definitely buy more!

The MK Midge has a beautiful design, and it has a unique sound. Service from MK by Misha is perfect.
Quick respons if there are questions and fast delivery.

Pierre

Misha was kind enough to send a replacement MK Low D Whistle to me even far outside the official return period. I had some issues with the sound of the original whistle (which was probably more to do with my technique than any deficiencies or defects of the whistle itself) and Misha was kind enough to send another whistle for me to try and allowed me to send back the original. I'm happy with the replacement and can't recommend MK Whistles highly enough. Their support goes above an beyond!

I mistakenly ordered the wrong whistle, and wasn't able to correct the mistake in time. There were some complications with the order, and I was very impressed by the way that Misha handled them. At the end of the day, I thought I was owed a certain amount; Misha told me that by his calculations I was owed twice as much as I requested, and reimbursed me accordingly. Now that's integrity. And now I have another fine whistle from MK. All good.

I am a full-time professional Flute and Saxophone player since 36 years. I have also studied Indian classical flute in India for 14 years.
The low D whistle from Mk whistles really impressed me with the attention to detail and the quality of the craftsmanship and the purity of the sound. It’s a really good tool in the hands of any Flute or whistle enthusiast. In my opinion, as a professional, this is an excellent instrument. Also, the response from Misha was very quick. It was package safely and arrived on time. Thank you guys. I highly recommend this maker. Jarrod Wood.

My MK Kelpie arrived timely with great customer care handling our international shipping issues. For a non-tunable whistle it has a fantastic intonation, a great range for bends in the first register, as well as a clear and sweet, mellow second octave. I would highly recommend it for beginners and pros alike, for having a sturdy practice whistle with a thunderous voice to boot. Thanks a lot Misha & co.!

I love my MK Pro F, it sounds fabulous even in my inexperienced hands.
Thank you so much to Misha for ensuring it was delivered at short notice so that I could take it on holiday with me, the service at MK is second to none.

Just received my MK Pro Low D and cleaning kit. The photographs and video reviews did not do the whistle justice. Quality and depth of the colour is amazing. The bore and heft of the whistle just screams great quality and very easy to play.
Have had several high quality Low Ds but nothing prepared me for the sound of the MK. Perfect in every way and even makes me sound good. Misha is a true master and a gentleman.

My first MK whistle was something like a 2 year wait, because I'd chosen a new colour option, purple. It was an order of faith as I'd never played one before. On first play I fell in love with Misha Somerville's MK Whistles, sweetly voiced. Appreciation & respect grew, along with the want for that same quality in other keys, pretty much anything he might put his mind and design sense to, a very talented craftsman. For four of the purchases I've made & half a dozen others I was involved in that others purchased, the man and his whistles lived up to all expectations. I love them, as too the half dozen people I'd urged to purchase one for themselves. But, for me, MK Whistles 5 & 6 were a painful disappointment, more on that later.

More praise first, a recent 5 star purchase. Hoping for improvements in quality control & customer care over the burn of two previous disappointments, 5 & 6, sub-standard MK G whistles suffering obvious and garish manufacturing defects - - - I put that aside and broke down and purchased Misha's latest creation, his high D ‘Midgie’ whistle, on special offer at the time (24/06/22) … It’s a gem, a beauty & a pleasure to play. I love it. For this Misha has regained some of that respect lost over the following previous experience.

That history persists (14/06/17), two MK whistles in the key of G, one after the other sent with manufacturing defects. The first of these disappointments was made worse by Misha's initial attitude & response, “It’s only cosmetic!” - “It plays!” This was my fifth purchase, this time for a low G. For a birthday, I was excited when it arrived. The defect was obvious, its window badly off center of the windway & mouthpiece.

Up to this point I was a devotee. I'd have purchased one of every key Misha made, 4 of his lovely instruments already on hand. MK Whistles ain’t cheap, always requiring me to tighten the belt & forgo other things, counting pennies. At such expense it can't be unreasonable to expect ‘quality’. Somehow this first G & its replacement had missed any quality control. My surprise & disappointment was made worse by Misha's attitude & response, showing no empathy or care, as if the fault were mine.

Misha's responses included an ultimatum - I could either return the first one for a refund, but if doing so I would never be allowed to place another order - or - I could return the first G whistle & accept a replacement. Still hopeful, thinking this first defect must be a fluke, maybe an apprentice and forgivable, I took the 2nd option. I never expected another fault. I waited with optimistic anticipation. Then came that replacement & my disappointment was compounded. It too arrived with a clear and obvious manufacturing defect. Not wanting more agro I used my own tools to carefully remove and clean up the metal jutting into the window of this second G whistle, my work not as nicely done as Misha had shown with our previous MK whistles. 'It plays'...

I let Misha know about this 2nd defect but he has never responded, not even an “I’m sorry”. For both Gs their cases were a margin too short, tight. I’ve since disassembled and re-sewn the second G case, moving the Velcro for a better fit.

I’d shown both G whistles to my wife and to others. They too were surprised with the evident defects, something never expected from Misha or any whistle in this price range.

Despite all this my first four MK Whistles, and Misha's Midgie, remain favourites. Sadly the respect I had for MK whistles and Misha remains a bit tarnished by my experiences with these two low G whistles, their defects & Misha’s poor attitude & poor customer service. Though, this lovely high D Midgie had eased that a little. MK now a growing venture with little or no waiting time, they have made for me and others some lovely whistles - great when they get it right, the instrument & the service. Misha & MK Whistles have my best wishes, including wishing for them a good & profitable future…
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The good customer - unknown to MK, the first whistle I purchased, my bit of purple bling, arrived as a duo, a pair, two. I immediately let them know and the next day posted back the second whistle.
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Results - May 2023 - Pleased with the Midgie and looking for a low E, I again decided to give MK another go, this time deciding to order through a middle source. Today I recieved news from that source that MK has refused to post that E whistle to me. It seems Misha's old threat of a ban has been activated. I think, sadly, that such immature petulance deserves the loss of another star, now down to two...
I prefer making positive reviews & a good MK E whistle delivered without quibble - as ordered & paid for (now refused) - & I would have gladly & easily raised this to a 4 star review...

Greatful MK-Whistle

Although I am a beginner I can feel the good sound. Absolute fantastic clear sound, not strident, lovely tones and let me say: The craftsmanship perfect.
I am glad I bought and happy with my MK whistle.
I will purchase a new MK-Whistle again. Great

The first whistle I bought from MK was the MK Pro F whistle. It's heads and shoulders above any other low whistle I've played. After that one, I bought the rest (low D, G, and A)

Most whistles have a weakness. They'll have a strong 1st octave but wispy or shrill 2nd octave. Or a rich, silky second octave with a weak low end. And many whistles have a weak low D note.

Not the MK. The most impressive thing about them is that the notes are rich, reedy, and complex all the way up and down both octaves. You can lean into the notes before they "break", which allows expressiveness usually not found in other whistles. Awesome work, I couldn't be happier with these whistles.

If I had to rank them, I'd say the F is the best (bordering on "magical"), followed by the A (crisp tone and a blast to play), then the low D (haunting and reedy) and finally the G (lovely and sweet). That's just my preference but you can't go wrong with any of them.

I have bought many whistles from different websites in the past, but I think it’s fair to say MK Whistles are on another level! The shipment and delivery of these whistles for me, took less that one and a half weeks!! The packaging is phenomonal! The whistle is definitely worth the money and is great for beginners starting out high/low whistles!! Highly recommend!!

It's been close to a year now that I have had an MK Pro Low D (I previously reviewed in Trustpilot). A few months ago I decided to broaden my horizons and get a Low F whistle.

The MK Pro Low F turned out to be everything I hoped it would. All the notes play very cleanly all the way through the second octave in the instrument. Having gotten used to playing the with piper's grip (on the Low D), I found it very natural and easy to play on the Low F using the piper's grip.

It is a great instrument. I do however miss one feature ... I wish there could be a ribbed texture on the bottom of the tube where the thumb typically rests. This was a nice feature on the MK Pro Low D, and I wish they had it on the Low F.

Overall, it was a great choice getting the MK Low F to complement the Low D.

I am very satisfied with my Low D whistle. More than that: Misha provides excellent customer service.

Excellent low D whistle. Dispatched quickly. Friendly people on customer support there. Packed really well in sturdy tube, came w/felt sleeve - a nice touch.
Whistle has 2 really solid octaves, every note sounds nice and sweet. High D sounds clean and not strident. 2nd octave’s higher notes are really easy to hit. This whistle has the least amount of issue with condensation of any of the whistles I’ve ever had. I like it so much I ordered one in F too.