I to shared this bit of info as soon as I learned about it-susato is now making low d whistles with keys-better yet, those of us who already have a low d susato whistle can have our whistle modified for only $20 per key and $6.50 shipping and handling. Now I’m sure there are many of you long time whistler’s who are putting your noses in the air and thinking thpppttttt! on this idea-that it isn’t the purist way to go, but hey, I’m thrilled! My husband got me a susato low d for Christmas last year. I can play it, but I have lots of trouble with that dog gone E hole. My fingers are just too blasted small. For any of you reading this who aren’t familiar with a low d whistle, that is one big hole! Anyway, I"m going to give it a shot and send my susato in. I will report back once I get my whistle back and let folks know how it turned out. I do think this will help a lot of people who are scared to try the low d whistle to give it a go.
BTW, I found out about this by window shopping (wish listing) at the Whistle Shop-they are selling the Susato’s with the keys. They didn’t know whether mine could be modified, but they graciously provided me with the information to contact the folks at susato-those folks are so nice! I just love dealing with them!
Before you get too excited…I have one of these whistles, and it’s a bear to play (at least for me).
Although the key on the lowest hole would seem to be an improvement, what you really wind up with is having to press down on the key slightly up the tube from the hole, hoping that the plastic-and-foam key will close with enough pressure to seal the hole. From my experience, it doesn’t do it 100% of the time; instead, you put the pressure on one side of the key, and it comes down at a slant, covering the hole on the side nearest to the finger but coming a bit off the other side, resulting in some very interesting effects, but not the D you’re looking for.
I’ve found that the only way to prevent that every time is to put your finger on the key directly over the foam circle that closes the hole, so you’re putting your pressure directly over the hole…but that involves the same stretch as playing without a key in the first place!
The one I had fitted was perfect. It sealed each and every time. The spring was very light but seemed to have just enough strength to push it up fast. I sold it because I was able to get a Kerry Low D to play. There is no comparison in the ease of reaching the Lower hole. The Susato with the key is much much easier.
I may have been one of the first to get a key put on. When I sent an inquiry by e-mail, the elder Mr Kelischek (the owner) responded. The whistle was back within 5 shipping (including shipping out) days. If you have one or get one with the key not responding correctly I would not hesitate to contact Kelischek and get it resolved. I got the feeling from my e-mail response it was kind of a"pet project" of Mr Kelischek and would tend to think he would stand behind it. When my whistle came back, I thought that they may have just given me a new lower beacuse it was in a sealed bag like new.
Good luck, mine was perfect mechanically. I just had more problem with voicing. The Kerry plastic head Low D is more forgiving that way.