I am contemplating a Dixon Bb, but am not sure if I should get the Bb trad or the all polymer tunable model.
Thoughts? I don’t want a heavy bodied whistle as I need it to warm up fast for the few tunes I use it on while playing gigs.
Louder is a positive, as is flutier tone.
Thanks,
Eric
I have both the Trad and the polymer Dixons in Bb. They are both delightful and have beautiful round tone. The brass has that metal-like hollow tone and a little more whistley ‘chiff’. The polymer IMHO has a stronger but more velvet tone- a tiny bit closer to the sound of a recorder. The polymer seems to hit the notes more clearly right away, while the brass might have a bit more flexibility before it lands square on the note.
Both are so much fun to play and I feel are greatly in tune up and down. But…If I had to keep only one, it would be the polymer one, because I love the softer rich ‘old’ sound when I play Early music and medieval etc. However if i played only Irish tunes then probably i’d pick the Trad! 
Very helpful…I play the whistles solely as backing for Irish songs so opted for the all polymer model. I have a fine Bb Generation for Irish tunes.
Thank you!
I have the brass Bb and the mouthpiece comes right off so you can use it as sort of a tunable whistle. At least that’s the case with my whistle.
Otherwise Chifmunk said it all.
You also have a nice Susato s-bore Kildare Bb.
I am curious about why you transfer your affections to Dixons.
I have a susato Oriole Bb, but I find it more temperamental than the Gen and the Gen a tad louder.
The Susato has simply fallen out of favor, and since no one wants to sell me their Bb water weasel…I thought I would try a Dixon Bb.
I saw Bb water weasel listed in the Irish flute store web page, although their price is too high for me.
I think it’s gone now, bit it was a combo and I would never use the other key.
Ok…received a Dixon all polymer Bb, and it is simply wonderful. Strong bell note, louder than a Generation Bb or a Susato Oriel… it’s exactly what I wanted.
I’m so glad you love it! It’s one of my three most favorite whistles to reach for… so velvety smooth and rich.