The consensus among Chiffers seems to be that this is a good in-between whistle: not a starter, but not the Holy Grail. After a week, I would say that’s probably fair.
I ordered the version with the angled mouthpiece, which really does make the whistle easier to play (especially with piper’s grip, which I use) although it feels strangely like holding a saxophone.
The low end is nice and stable once one gets the hang of the fingering. The E hole is large and egg-shaped (for unknown acoustical reasons beyond my ability to ponder) but with a good relaxed grip the finger seems to cover it.
Just for fun I found some fingerings into the third octave. XXO XXO for E, XOX XOX for F#, and XXX OOO for G (same as the other octaves but lots more air). These pitches are in tune but very loud. Probably they would not be too useful in ordinary playing.
A complaint: the C natural is too sharp. OXX OOO does not sound good. OXX OXX lowers it a bit.
Being made of plastic, the instrument is very light. Thus no fatigue, but players who want heft for their money may feel disappointed. The instrument would be of no use in combat, but, given the angled mouthpiece, would function surprisingly well as a walking stick for a very short person. Also it makes a great back-scratcher.
I have been trying to love my Susato low D ever since it arrived about a year ago. It sure has that “susato sound” loud, well tuned…but…
Sometimes I start playing it and put it down right away, just something about the sound. But sometimes I’m in a Susato mood I guess and it sounds OK to me. Good thing you have the pipers’ grip down because those holes are far apart (at least they seem that way. I have a hall glass flute with what seem like wide apart holes, but it seems easier to play for some reason.)
One thing I noticed, when changing octaves, the Susato low D is easier than the High D, in fact it is pretty smooth.
I would like to try something in brass or wood though, something with some chiff.
What about using a half-covered top hole for the C natural? That works especially well if you play a high one (I, myself prefer using the A finger and G finger for normal C nat, but I use a half-covered top hole only for high C nat).
It is possible, of course, but the holes are large enough on the low whistle that it takes a bit of fumbling around before getting the pitch right. Also, half-holing is trickier (for me) in piper’s grip, because of the need to roll away from the instrument with the whole hand.
I played it (the Susato) in public this morning for the first time. I fracked two or three notes but generally did not disgrace myself or horrify any churchgoers.