Burke Low D hole placement problems

Whistle
1

:confused:
I just recently purchased a Burke high D brass session and a Low D Viper. Both are excellent instruments, but I’m having trouble adjusting to the bottom hole placement of the Viper.

I’ve been playing on the Viper for about a week. The bottom D hole on the Viper is placed much further from the E hole than on on my Kerry Low D, or on the cheiftan low D’s I tried. I’m using the pipers grip, and I don’t have particularly small hands, but I still find it difficult to find a comfortable position for my hand, and I have played around with the rotating bottom joint. After a session this week my hand was sore. So I suppose my questions are: 1) Why is the bottom hole so widely spaced? 2) I haven’t tried a lot of low D’s (just Cheiftian and Kerry), so is this normal for most high-end Low D’s? Are there other excellent low D’s with easier hole placement I should look into? 3) Does anyone know how the Burke Low D EZ compares with the Viper? I don’t want to make any sacrifices in intonation, tone or playability, but I do need to play comfortably.

Thanks a lot for your help.

cheers,

Daniel

2

Unless you screwed the bottom joint in upside down (not possible), I don’t get it. The hole spacing is about 1 13/16" center to center, which is same as O’Riordan Traveler and O’Briain. The Copeland is a bit less, at about 1 11/16". It’s pretty standard bottom hole spacing.

Philo

3

Philo has said it for me. I play a Viper, and it is the easiest to play, finger-wise, of the Low D’s I own. The Viper’s bottom hole also rotates, making finger position even easier.

I hope you work out your challenge. The Viper is a fine instrument.
Best.
Byll