Anyone have experience with the Dixon tunable B flat whistle? From the few sond clips I’ve heard, I think I like the tamber of the Dixon plastic whistles. I already have a Walton D, and rather than getting another D, I thought a B flat would be a good second instrument. Eventually, I would also like to get a G or F as well.
I have the fully plastic tunable models. The B flat has a nice woody tone, it’s in tune, and the volume is good even for the lower notes. I like it a lot. Ditto the low G .
However, I don’t really like the low F I have (bought quite some time ago) because it has the same bore diameter as the low G. This diameter is ok for the G, but I think it’s too narrow for the length and pitch of the low F. Consequently, I find the low F’s too soft when playing the bell note and the 2, 3 notes above it. I couldn’t push those notes otherwise they would then jump up an octave.
The pitching is also dodgy for 1 or 2 notes. I had to enlarge some holes (luckily it’s made of soft plastic) before I felt it was sufficiently in tune.
To be fair, I am not sure whether Tony Dixon’s current low Fs continue to use the same bore diameter as his low As and Gs. I would advise checking with him first.
Thanks for the great reply. It’s just the kind of advice I needed. I now have a Dixon B flat on order with Hobgoblin. 2 to 3 weeks backorder - bummer. I tried getting a G instead, but they weren’t in stock either - bummer again. Ah well, I’m certain it will be worth the wait.
You’ll like the Bb, I bet. Tuaz’s description of a woody tone, in tune, and nice volume is spot on. I can find only one flaw with mine: the high Bb (at the top of the second octave) doesn’t sound right. I can’t seem to find any alternate fingering to nail that note, but considering the sweet sound of the other notes on that whistle, I’m willing to overlook that shortcoming.
Good luck 