Has anyone had the opportunity to compare Bracker bore sizes? I’d especially like to know about the 18mm and 20mm - these are listed as low F narrow 18mm and standard 20mm and/or low G standard 18mm and wide 20mm.
You might want to ask this guy. https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/in-search-of-the-optimum-bore/78869/1
Thanks, yes I’d seen this already, which is what got me interested. What I’d like to know is - Has anyone out there had the opportunity to compare a Bracker 18mm and 20mm. I’d like to hear about their subjective impressions.
Yes, I have.
I’d especially like to know about the 18mm and 20mm - these are listed as low F narrow 18mm and standard 20mm and/or low G standard 18mm and wide 20mm.
Depends what you want to know. My choice would be (and is) 20mm F and 18mm G, but would likely be 18mm for a combo F/G.
Thanks Peter, that’s exactly what I thought might work best for me. What for you would be the compromise in the 18mm F?
I guessing there might be advantages with the 18mm F too, for instance being able to sustain long notes longer and maybe being able to reach the 3rd octave more easily, perhaps with a more pleasant sounding result (?). Have you noticed these, or other differences in playability between the 18mm and 20mm F?
Slight loss of volume (and possibly vibrancy) coupled with a slightly bigger stretch. But I’d personally still rather have an ‘underbored’ F than an ‘overbored’ G (opinion formed from testing three original Overton Gs at the larger bore, many years’ ownership of the least ‘compromised’ of these and further comparison of F and G Chieftain V3s I’ve since sold on), despite rating Hans’s designs all good (even the largest bores) for two octaves plus where I’ve never been completely happy with some other ‘wide-bore’ types.
I guessing there might be advantages with the 18mm F too, for instance being able to sustain long notes longer and maybe being able to reach the 3rd octave more easily, perhaps with a more pleasant sounding result (?). Have you noticed these, or other differences in playability between the 18mm and 20mm F?
Can’t remember exactly which of Hans’s whistles I’ve played, but basically enough (= everything to hand on two visits + the ones I own) to have noted some general trends. And, while I’d say he’s chosen his ‘standard’ bores for good reasons (IMHO they produce the best all-rounders), I’ve admired them all enough to doubt that anyone seeking larger- or smaller-bore ‘characteristics’ would be disappointed. That said, I was never in the market for a combo F/G, having gone instead for combo E/F at 20mm and standalone G at 18mm in a ‘set’ (not yet complete because I’ve kept Hans waiting for too long on some details re. the lower end!) covering low D to high E with seven heads and eleven bodies.
Perhaps I can chime in here, belatedly: I’ve uploaded two sample tracks, for low G and low F, each with two versions, played with different whistle heads and bores (low G and F). So I used two different heads and four different bodies for this sound comparison.
The G head has a window, which is 12mm by 6mm, the F head window is 13mm by 6.5mm; wind ways are 12mm and 13mm respectively at their exits, both wind ways are 1.2mm high. The F head plays a bit louder, and uses a bit more air. On one breath I can play a “G” (3 fingers down) on the standard low G for 25 seconds, and on the standard low F for 20 seconds. Third octave notes are a bit easier on the narrow bore compared to the standard, but even on the wide bore low G some third octave notes are accessible.
I would recommend the wide bore low G for situations where one needs extra volume, like playing outdoors. I would recommend the narrow bore low F for when one wants a low F whistle with a bit easier breath requirement (less work to play) and is happy with a little bit less volume, like playing at home. But normally I would recommend to use the standard models, for better balance, tone and expression. A combo whistle set is always some kind of compromise. The best combo sets are for keys just a semi tone apart, for instance high E/Eb, A/Bb, low F/E.
Samples on box.com:
Low G sample - first standard bore (18mm), followed by wide bore (20mm)
Low F sample - first narrow bore (18mm), followed by standard bore (20mm)
Wow. Thank you so much Hans. This is above and beyond. You’ve given me much to think about and consider. Thanks also to Peter for your very detailed feedback as well.
Which is basically how we arrived at seven heads and eleven bodies for my ‘set’. But, having been impressed with all Hans’s whistles at all bores (think I’ve tried four different high D bores as well as some window-size variations!), I’d still not hesitate to recommend a combo F/G if those pitches are what you ‘need’ most.
For the record, my choice was (from low to high, and all on pretty well ‘standard’ bores) combo D/Eb, combo E/F, standalone G, combo A/Bb, standalone C, standalone D and combo Eb/E.