I have a Susato low D and have enjoyed it. Cost was/is a factor. I don’t have a problem with the reach. I have long fingers and before I learned about the pipers grip -which I now use all the time with the Low D- I played it fingertip style without too much effort.
I would love to own a a higher end Low D, but for now, until I have the cash and find the right whistle, I’m happy with what I currently have.
the Susato Low D looks tacky and has that ermm Susato sound which is an acquired taste
Not having anything to compare the “ermm sound” to, could someone explain the short comings of the Susato whistles?
I have only heard one Susato whistle, and it was a low D. It did not sound “ermm” too awfully bad to me. Sounded different than my Overton (I would have been really disappointed if it did not) but it did not sound horrible either. I actually have a Susato Low D on the way and would be more than happy to do a comparison when it arrives.
The one at the San Pablo get-together, wasn’t it? I didn’t think it sounded bad, but thought it sounded no better than my Dixon, and was more of an effort on reach. Much better than no low whistle, and and OK value for the money, but it didn’t grab me, either.
I preferred the sound of your Overton to either, and found the Overton actually easier to play than the Dixon, so the Susato might have suffered by comparison.
Still trying to decide if I’ll take up flute seriously - if not, I’ll probably end up with a higher quality Low D like Overton, Alba, or Serpent.
I’m thinking seriously about getting a Susato Low G just to try out the key, though - the reach there is small enough that the odd spacing shouldn’t be so much an issue, and by reputation they have stronger bell note than the Dixons often do.
Re Susato low F and Dixon low D. Just been playing them both. The susato needs much more breath pressure to get the second octave, I didn’t like it at all after the Dixon.
Would you mind reviewing your new Hoovers when you get them? I have a Hoover Bb that I’m very pleased with and I was thinking of offering one of my sons a choice off language tapes or a Hoover low whistle for Christmas. Most people seem to like them (the Hoovers).
Thanks to what I read on this thread about Mack Hoover’s low whistles, I just placed an order! Appreciate folks chiming in with their recommendations and opinions. Now all I have to do is wait for my new low whistle (easier said than done).