hello…
If you were to buy a plastic whistle…what would you choose…a tony dixon or a susato?
dixon, hands down
What are you looking for- susato needs more pressure and have a loud but “plastic” sound- very good for playing with loud instruments or without microphone or for street, dixon needs less pressure and sounds more quietly.
I personally would get a Susato because of their big volume and back pressure. But that’s a matter of one’s own likings. Both whistles are good regarding craftmanship and such - the Susato is loud and needs breath control, the Dixon is quiet and easy-blowing.
Maybe I should add that I usually play amplified when I play with others. The susato can be useful if you really need to scream, but I absolutely hate the sound of it (as most of you already know). But I’ve never tried a VSB susato, they might be nicer
I really enjoy my Dixon traditional. It is the best of the four whistles that I have. Easy to play, I can push it somewhat and it only cost about $23.00.l
Agreed, the Trad is a great whistle. However, it’s not all plastic 
Dixon only makes all-plastic Low whistles, whereas Susato does the whole range of keys. As others have said, it’s all personal preference. If you can, visit a shop that stocks them (or find a whistler nearby) and have a twiddle.
for plastic (or plastic-like) I would choose a Water Weasel or a PVC Humphrey, but alas, they are no longer being made (that I know of). Burke composites are also nice. However, these are all significantly more expensive than the two you mentioned.
If you aren’t concerned about the key, then I’d choose a B-natural Susato (they’re wonderful)…seems to be the sweet spot for Susatos.
If you want a high D and you’re fairly new to the whistle I’d get a Dixon. You would probably find a high D Susato a bit frustrating on the highest few notes (high A/B especially).
-Brett
I agree. The B Susato is one of my all time favs.
Susato or Dixon? Both!
To my ear the VSB is worse.
Dixon’s are easier to play, but Susato’s have more potential I think.
silkstone
I like Dixons; I like Susatos.
In my opinion, a Dixon is great for learners who are wanting an easy, dependable whistle.
On the other hand, once you’ve learned a Dixon, you’ve learned it: there ain’t no more, as they say.
A Susato won’t sound its best the first time you play it; and it still won’t be sounding its best a year later.
But as you learn it, you find that the more time and effort you give it, the more rewards it gives back.
In that way, I think a Susato is a lot more open-ended than a Dixon; however, the Dixon is much easier to play and learn and probably better suited to learn on.
All my own $.02; your mileage may vary.
–James
Hi doubleg, Dixons and Susatos are way different whistles. Neither of them are very high on the wallet depletion alert scale. The Dixon has a very sweet voice - it’s easy going and warm. The Susato has an insistent voice, demands committment and rewards it - some like it hot (some don’t). It all depends on what moods you get into and how much room you have in your whistle roll
I’d get a Delrin Busman, personally.
Me 3 Paul makes excellent whistles but the delrin D just honks!
Is honking a good thing? 