Inline or Offset holes for low D???

Whistle
1

Has anyone tried a Reyburn low-D with both inline and offset holes? Which did you prefer?

The flutes I’ve played (Tipple, Burns) all have had offset holes so I’m used to this (and like it) on flutes. However, I’m not sure how different it might be on a low-D.

Also, if any of you have a Reyburn low-D (the new “standard” bore version) and other low-D whistles, how is the volume of the Reyburn compaired to others?

Thanks for any info.
-Brett

2

Just made a tube for a low D with offset G and D holes - fits my hands, but I don’t use a piper’s grip. Great thing to think about when ordering a custom.

Bryce

3

FWIW-- I just traded a Copeland low D for one of Walt Sweet’s new Dymondwood ones. One of the deciding factors was the Sweet’s offset G and D holes. I could play the Copeland OK with piper’s grip, but my wife couldn’t. She can play the Sweet, and that’s even with her missing about 1/2" of her right ring finger in an old accident (non-whistle related).

4

My preferred low-d is a Reyburn with off-set holes. Nohing inthe world that sounds like a Reyburn.

I think an in-line arrangement would be tough for me and my hands are large-ish. Go for the off-set and use your pinkies on the bottem holes. It only takes about 3 minutes to train your brain and fingers to do this and has never caused me a bit of trouble.

The sound of the Reyburn is just awesome…rich full and complex.
Ronaldo is also a great guy…fantastic customer service after the sale.

Go for it.

Doc

5

I tried the new Sweet low D. Gorgeous sound, but the offset fingerholes through me off. I prefer inline.

6

Like Bryce, I’ve just made a Low D. Two, in fact. The first one I made was offset, and had a wide windway. The second one was inline and had a narrower windway.
I thought the offset would be easier, but t’ain’t so, sadly.
It all amounts to how easily you can find the holes blind. When you get a bit of practice in they’re not too different in difficulty. The wider windway means I get out of breath on the mark 1 model a lot earlier.
So my conclusion is that inline is marginally easier. And this is on a home-made whistle, where the holes are further apart and less regularly spaced than on a professionally produced item. With a professional model, you shouldn’t have the same difficulty in stretching your fingers - I have to use my pinky to reach the bottom F.
If in doubt, I’d go for the inline. But it is very much a personal thing.
You might like to try marking some hole spots on a pice of broomstick or similar and see how easy it is to reach the same fingering without looking.
Just a thought.