Last weekend I bought a Tony Dixon plastic low G whistle.
I’ve had a Susato low G for ages and absolutely hate it. It’s too big and heavy, and the holes are uncomfortably spaced for my hands. I don’t like using piper’s fingering, so I just don’t play the dratted thing.
Anyway, a while ago, a lady who used to play in our Tuesday jam/session/rehearsal/shambles let me try her Dixon low G. It was a noisy pub so I couldn’t hear much, but i was amazed at how compact it was compared to the Susato.
I popped into a Hobgoblin store for a couple of bodhran sticks and a fiddle shoulder rest. While I was there I spotted a Dixon G, so I blew £30 more than I had planned to spend that visit (pun semi-intentional).
Nice and comfy to play, just as I remembered, and nice breathy tone. Only probs are it’s pretty quiet and the bell note is a bit weak. Still, if I play it out it’ll be at a gig rather than a session, and volume shouldn’t be an issue if there’s a mike pointed right at it.
I have a Susato low G, probably 8 years old. I’m used to piper’s grip from playing low D’s, but I still just don’t like the Susato. It just shouldn’t be that big.
For ages I played an old original-style Susato low G from around 1980. These were all machined out of PVC stock with a wood block.
Its bore was a bit too big, which gave it a great round full low register but a slightly balky 2nd register.
A few years ago I got a new-style Susato low G. I never liked it all that much. The bore was smaller giving it a better 2nd register but it was wimpy in the low register.
Then recently I got a Burke aluminum low G. It’s perfect in my opinion. Great voicing, strong low notes, clear high notes. It does everything as well as a whistle can. It can be clearly heard in a session.
I bought a Dixon G for $45 last year from a woman on this site. It was a piece of junk. I gave to my friend that took it to the Philippines for her 9 yr. old son. Since then I’ve bought an Overton G from Colin. And this G whistle kicks butt. The fundamental note is super strong. The perfect whistle to play South American music.
I just bought a Susato low G for €25,-. I play the piper’s grip and I love the whistle. Volume is good and the sound is a personal taste, but I love it. Nothing wrong with it, especially considering the price.
