I recently bought Kieran O’Hare and John Skelton’s new CD, “Double Barrelled,” which is just fantastic!! They play a few tunes on Bb whistles (both play Sindts), which has inspired me to shop for a Bb myself. Any recommendations for low-end Bb whistles? In particular, has anyone played a Susato Bb? Thanks,
Paul
I had a small bore Susato Bb. Good whistle but a little too quiet. I may replace it with a medium bore Susato.
I have not kept up with B Flat pricing because I have a Sindt, a Silkstone and a Dixon. If I were looking for a decent mid-range B Flat I would consider a Dixon (I believe under $30.00 @ Thom Larson’s place) or a Mack Hoover (I believe he lists two, one @ $50.00 and one @ $55.00[the White Cap]). I do not have a Hoover B Flat, but if the White Cap plays like the other White Caps I have, I would certainly try to scour up the difference. This is based solely on what I am familiar with and I do not doubt that there are several other decent ‘mid-range’ B Flat whistles out there.
I would like to find a “mid-range” priced F (regular F, little F). I have a really old Generation that is decent, but I’d like an alternative F as well.
Tom D.
Bb Water Weasels are really nice, but a bit more than you probably want to spend. My Bb Water Weasel has been one of my favorite whistles for quite some time.
-Brett
As it happens I had just ordered a Bb generation. Anybody out there got one? Got info on one?
Brian
Fine whistles, good choice. I like mine.
Sonja
IMO - which is oft’ foolish 
- the Gen’ Bb is the best whistle they make.
Also it is - in my experience - usually a fair whistle for playability and tone and volume - for the money!
Dixons are good but IMO too quiet, and so are all the other smaller bore whistles in Bb.
To get a better Gen Bb, follow the tweak/tunable tip i.e. dip the fipple in hot water for a few seconds, wrap in a towel - unless yer like burnt fingers - and twist and pull firmly at the same time. If it cracks, then glue it or buy another. Cut 3/8th of an inch off the fipple end of the tube, sand smooth, and grease. Push back into fipple.
One tunable Gen Bb. Clean all the bits out of the mouth piece while it’s off the tube.
To get a better Bb, that is resonable in tone and volume, there is a big jump in price. I have a Gen Bb that is nearly 2 decades old, and I still use it a lot. Only at sessions which need volume and tone quality when ‘leaning’ into a tune do I get me expensive (ish) Bb out.
Best Value for money Bb on the market is yer humble Gen’ 
I have a Gen Bb that I like quite a bit…but I noticed that it improved significantly with the simple tweaks described on the C&F site. You may want to consider these. They are simple enough for people (even those like me who really haven’t got a clue as to what they are doing) to do without ruining their whistles.
[Cut 3/8th of an inch off the fipple end of the tube, sand smooth,]
Any hints on the best way to do this? I have tried this with a regular size hacksaw and bent the tube.
I have two very old Gen Bflats and they’re both very good, although the nickel (blue mouthpiece) is a bit better. I’ve noted that others seem to have said the same re the nickel Bflat Gen. For about nine bucks how could you go wrong? Also have a very old narrow bore Bflat Susato that came as part of a D,C, Bflat set for about thirty bucks - not bad.
I had a Dixon and a Sindt Bflat - both fine, but I sold them because the tone just didn’t grab me.
Currently I own a Copeland, Grinter and Water Weasel Bflat. The WW is very good and is close to your stated price range. Like Tom, never played a Hoover whitecap Bflat, but, on his recommendation, got a Hoover soprano D whitecap that I like very much.
Good luck and enjoy.
Regards,
Philo
Try using a junior hacksaw - smaller/finer teath teeth give a better cut using less force. Get one from a £ shop if possible, 'cos they only cost a quid.
Also use a bench hook - woodworkers use them - or …
drill a hole the same size as the tube in a block of scrap wood. Place the whistle tube inside the block. If you have a slightly bigger drill, wrap the tube with sellotape until it fits the hole snugly. Measure acurately
the distance e.g. 3/8th inch from the end of the block, and cut through the block and tube. The wood will support the tube, and using the smaller hacksaw, the danger of bending the tube or causing deep blade makes is greatly reduced. Also removing any burs from the inside of the tube is easier if left in the block e.g. wrap a piece of glass/sand/emery paper round a pencil for a round file.
Worked for me.
HTH
You can cut the brass with a inexpensive tubing cutter such as used by plumbers. These are available in most hardware or home building stores. Just take time and tighten it very gently bit by bit and you should have no trouble with tube crushing.
I have done this particular operation a number of times.
Dave
I agree hole heartedly on the Gen Bb but whats with the cutting off the tube. I have 3 Gen Bbs and I didnt have to cut anything off the end of the tube to bring them in tune. I have an old Gen Bb Ive had for maybe 25 years that responded well the the simple tweeks as well as a nickle plated one that also responded well. I also have a brass one that I didnt touch. It is just killer the way it came. Acts just like a big Eb. Very lively and more fun then a barrel weasels-) Anyway for the price the Gen Bb can`t be beat.
Tom
With Overton, Sindt and Abell I think I’ve pretty much got Bb covered. The only reasonably cheap Bb I have is a Susato. I’m really getting to like Susatos now but I think they are difficult whistles to play well so not ones I would recommend to someone who isn’t already well into the intermediate stage of playing. That’s a pity because they are priced like whistles that would suit someone who is just past the beginner stage but not quite ready for the high enders.
I’d love to try a Generation or two and I’ll do so now that we have reliable sightings of better whistles coming straight out of the box.
Makes it tunable - fer playing with other instruments that can’t/won’t agree on the same sound e.g. A = 440.
Yer slide the mouthpiece up and down letting you sharpen the whistle from the manufactured standard. Just in case lesser instruments play sharp(er).
Wombat, you reminded me that I also have a Abell Bflat as part of a Bflat/A set; that’s what happens when you have too many whistles and work too hard; how could I forget my favorite Bflat whistle?
Philo
I must also 2nd (er, I mean 4th or 5th or whatever) the comments on the Gen Bb. I love mine but haven’t done the tweaks yet.
And like Blackbeer said:
A B flat has such a beautiful sound–kinda flutey.
bob
When you have as many good Bbs as you do Philo, I suppose it’s quite easy to forget … until someone reminds you.
Are there High Bb and Low Bb whistles? I bought a Gen Bb that I assumed was low because it was so much bigger than my D. It’s nickel, I guess, 'cuz it’s not brass. The sound is soooo soothing.
Yes. The Gen Bb is the high Bb. An octave higher would be for bats’ ears only, the Bb below Low D exists for people with very large hands.
Sonja