Every now and then I read a post that says a low D whistle is essentially a transverse D flute but with an end-mounted mouthpiece. Is the hole spacing between the low D whistle and the D flute comparable then?
The hole spacing is “identical” - i.e the same body can be used in both ways in tune. For example my Dixon Low D has both flute and whistle heads on the same body.
Paul
Comparable but there are differences from maker to maker. I just compared the instruments at hand. The longest stretch was my Overton low D. Slightly less long was my Copeland low D, they are conical and in general the stretch is easier with conical instruments. Slightly shorter again was my Alan Mount PVC simple system flute which is the only one I have handy. My wooden simple system flutes vary a bit but are all comparable to Alan’s. I have a bamboo Olwell D which I think is more of a stretch than any low D I have; it certainly feels like it playing it.