Hi all,
I am thinking of getting a set of 3 Susato whistles. They come in C, D and E or C, D and Eb. Which set of 3 should I get?
Or can you suggest any other whistles for around the same price ($50 American)?
Thanks,
-Derek-
It depends on what you want to do with it. I personally just don’t like Eb whistles, plus an E whistle allows you to play along with things in A. OTOH, some flute players play Eb flutes, and if you want to play along with them, you’d want an Eb whistle.
If you can save up a little more, the Water Weasel C/D/Eb set (I’m sure Glenn would make you an E shaft if you asked) is about $130. I’m quite fond of Susatos, but the WW set is really wonderful.
Hi Derek, welcome to the board!
The most common key for Irish music is D, and coming in as close seconds for usefulness are G, A, and C. You can’t go wrong with a D or a G for Irish, and lots of non Irish stuff will be in C. As far as E and Eb…I have an Eb and I never understood why they were popular until I tried to play along with a CD of fiddling from Ireland - they apparently tune a half note sharp (so it’s Eb instead of D). I have come across the odd tune or two where an E whistle would have been useful, but not often.
But I have two questions for you -
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Can you describe what you like about susatos, and why you chose them? If we know what you are looking for, we’ll be better able to help you out with suggestions.
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If you are certain you want susatos, are you interested in buying mine?
I have a C and D set (only two whistle bodies, one headpiece, one thumbrest) that I am planning to sell. I would have emailed you about them but you didn’t list your email address. Please feel free to email me, it’s in the link at the bottom of this message - just remember to take out the Spamblocker part (to make it a normal yahoo address).
–Beth
I like the sound of the Susatos. I have read a lot on this board about them and I like what I’ve heard. They are nicely tuned and loud enough to be heard in a session… not that I play in a session but I am sure I will some day. 
Avanutria, I sent you an email as well.
-Derek-
I have a 3 pipe set of Susato’s - D, C, and B flat. If you will be playing with a bag pipes, they usually are B flat. Although I had someone suggest that E flat may be better for playing with bag pipes.
The B flat is a little more mellow. I find my plastic Susato’s very responsive and a little more sensitive to wind pressure and a little more difficult re: making sure you have good closure on the holes (in comparison to the my D Generation and Mellow Sudlum’s.)
I also have a low D whistle made by Cook I (in PVC) that I have found fairly easy to play re: very little stretch for the last hole. Nice tone, but perhaps not as responsive as some other low D whistles.
For D and higher, I like the very small bore better than the small bore Susatos (for the sake of my eardrums and ease of control in the second octave). The small bore gauge is great for the C and Bb whistles.
I totally agree on the WW if you want a full set. I had a Susato set long ago, and found it excessively shrill. The WW are tuned and voiced much like Glenn’s wooden whistles, and play beautifully. Even if you don’t need the full set, consider a WW in whatever key you actually need.
Hi Derek,
I’ve sent you a private message.
Gogo
Derek, I replied to your email a few days ago but haven’t gotten a reply. Please get in touch with me as soon as you can.
On 2003-01-07 21:55, avanutria wrote:
I have an Eb and I never understood why they were popular until I tried to play along with a CD of fiddling from Ireland - they apparently tune a half note sharp
Evidently Mary Bergin plays in Eb a fair amoung on her CDs as well.
Avanutria:
Please re-send the email. It never arrived. Dang internet pixies must have knicked it!
Thanks!
-Derek-
Hi Derek -
I resent the mail and also sent it to you as a private message here on the board, accessible from the options at the top right of the screen.
–Beth
I have a set of Bb, C D and find them grand. Unfortunately Susato whistles are not all alike - even mass produced stuff like this has it’s own personality. Mine are anything but shrill - try your set out before you buy.
The Bb is brilliant for slow reels, airs or accompanying singers.
You can always buy a separate Eb if you need it.
One of my very first whistles (which I still have)was the Susato set of D,C and Bflat. I like them just fine; but I think the WWs are way better.
Philo