I want a low Bb.
I know it’ll be a monster 
I intend to follow the “build yer own low D before lunch” method,
and use the hole size/position from http://www.cwo.com/~ph_kosel/flutomat.html,
and use a piece of copper water pipe.
I’ve already got a stable of low D’s, and various sop’ whistles,
I just fancy a low Bb. Is the sound as pleasing as a sop’ Bb
Has anyone else attempted this key before?
C’mon - fess up!
I’ve never made one, but I’m playing one. (Chieftain)
There are very few people with the finger-spread to deal with this thing. I picked it up and was playing in a few minutes, but of the 20 or so folks who have picked mine up, only two others have been able to cover the holes, and even then, they had trouble.
That being said, if you can handle it, it’s a really cool instrument. 
Yeah, been there, done that, i only found it playable with the addition of two keys, one for the bottom finger of each hand. That might tax your capabilities a bit, but it can be done with brass sheet and a bit of silver soldering. You can even use old EPNS teaspoons. I’m a bit wary of the flutomat spacings though, how do you find them?
I recently ordered one low Bb from Alba.
From what I gathered, it’s playable with normal male hands if you can grip a Low C, then if only the low holes are offset tenor-recorder way.
On the board, Tubafor was as far as I know the last to get one and comment it:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=7213
Yes, 3/4" PVC Schedule 40 tubing will work on Low-Bb. Use a PVC 45 Deg. Elbow at the tuning joint junction to make it easier to handle.
I use 3/4" PVC down to ‘Low-Low-A’, after that I use larger tubing sizes.
My lowest whistle is an octave below Low-C - 4 ft tall.
I’ve got an Overton Bb that is just beautiful, and yes, it was peculiar to play at first. I have large hands and I still find it quite a stretch! Still… it’s worth it. What a lovely sound. I’ve made Low D whistles but I’ve never attempted anything lower. If you succeed, I’ll buy one!
Ok.
Windway made.
Plug fitted.
Warmed up bell note of A (8% sharp) - which I just might keep instead of making it a Bb (cluck, cluck, scratch, scratch)!
The problem is the length (from the blade) as per the flutomatic is spot on, but the note is deeper.
So, dilemma I
Are the hole positions given on the flutomatic page to the centre of the holes i.e. where you centre punch the hole to drill, or the top, or bottom, of the hole?
OR dilemma II
Should I try the percentage method i.e.
"The center of the 1st hole (the hole nearest the mouthpiece)
should be located 44.74% of this overall “lip” to open-end
measurement.
The center of the 2nd hole should be located 52.47% of this
overall “lip” to open-end measurement.
The center of the 3rd hole should be located 60.38% of this
overall “lip” to open-end measurement.
The center of the 4th hole should be located 68.82% of this
overall “lip” to open-end measurement.
The center of the 5th hole should be located 74.93% of this
overall “lip” to open-end measurement.
The center of the 6th hole (the hole nearest the open end of
this whistle) should be located 84.10% of the overall “lip”
to open-end measurement."
Arrrg!
If in panic, if in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!
What would What would a serpent or elf or somebody wot lives in Germany do? Well?
Help! 
Bump.
Forgiveness sought 
Help!
Well, all I can say is Kudos for your project!! I can’t wait to see your masterpiece!! 
You have to take into account that percentages and equations will only work for someone who used the exact same materials, so you have to do a little bit of trial and error. I may be going out on a limb here, but I think serpent and maybe some others would back me up on that.
Whack me up side the head if I’ve overspoken my grounds there serpent.
I’ll put it to you this way… My aluminum High D is almost 1/4" longer and the hole spacing varied from a brass (also much thinner walled) prototype I built. HOWEVER the topmost hole on each whistle are only about 1/8" or so difference. So there you are.
I tell you what though… those percentages sure do cut down on figuring time… what I have figured in the past is to drop everything down a tad (depending on materials), then start elongating “UP” with the holes… once I uncover the holes and they hit the mark in tune, I measure from the upper edge down to center of whatever bit size you would be using, thus you have your new centerpoint. There you go. Pull out your next tube, drill 'er out, and there you are! You should be so darn close, the next one will be spot on (if you don’t luck out and it already is).
Take care,
John
(Yeah, I know. Wastes material, but it sure gets your tuning in without beating your head against the wall.)
In any new project like this, I find it useful to make multiple prototypes. You always make the worst mistakes on the first one and then refine what you are doing as you go, so do two at least, three if you can. Another possibility is to consider making them jointed or tunable so you only end up throwing the bottom half away. Again, I would be careful about taking the flutomat figures as accurate in all situations.
OK!
My home made low Bb was rubbish.
Well not exactly, ‘cos I now have a sop’ Bb that is very loud.
Thanks for all the suggestions etc
I found that the % method worked best when placing holes, but you measure from the start of the windway, not the start of the blade. Well that’s what I found was most accurate anyway - on my electronic tuner.
So I cheated, and bought one!
An Alba Low Bb.
This thing is big!
In fact if you stood it on the ground, and threw a tarp over it, you could live there!
Actually it’s only 30 inches long, a mere 6 inches longer than a low D.
Nice sound, well balanced over both octaves and the 3rd octave D - I haven’t gone higher yet.
I picked it up, and played my attempt at January Snow - as per Kevin Crawford from Lunasa - and then straight into Lord Mayo.
Not a flub from a wet blocked fipple in sight!
The curved windway seems to work a treat.
Obviously the pipers grip has to be used, and this is the largest whistle I could handle. I’m a bit slow on the cross fingering because of the size, but this will improve in the next day or so.
I’ll tell you what though - after playing the low Bb, playing a low D seems like playing a sop’ D, after playing a Low D