Well, I may be at risk of being redundant with this question, but I did a search and I didn’t find what I need to know, so I’ll take the risk. I have been playing an aluminium body Dixon high D, and I’m getting a bit tired of the low air requirement. I want something to push against! And of course after hearing Cormac Breatnach using a Susato so well, not to mention the famous Kevin Crawford clip, I want to try one. (By the way, which type is Kevin playing in that clip?) So, I google Susato, and open their website, and what do I find? Small bore, very small bore, black, white, tunable, non-tunable, etc. How do they compare? Would it be worthwhile to buy one of each? And is it worth it to get the tunable model? Thanks,
I once tried a non-tunable Susato. Don’t buy one. The very small bore is very quiet and you can’t lean into it like the others. The large bore is no more, AFAIK. So it’s “small Bore”.
But as a learner I’d stay away from Susatos. You’ll be disappointed. If you do buy some and are disappointed, throw them in a drawer and wait until “they” improve.
I like them tuneable in case for some reason the group doesn’t tune to concert pitch – or if some of the instruments pitch changes as they warm up (which does happen).
Otherwise, it doesn’t matter so much – I consider it a bit of “insurance.”
I have both VSB and SB D’s (among a variety of others) and find my favourite is the SB. I can lean into it a bit without it popping up the octave and it has a very strong low register. I like the VSB though for tunes that I want a sweeter sound on (i.e. Si bheag si mohr).
Anyone have a link to the famous Kevin Crawford Susato clip? I’ve been on the Kerry site many times and I’ve seen the other Lunasa clips but not that one. Thanks
I can’t entirely agree with this impression. I tried both tunable and non-tunable in the store, and found the non-tunable significantly more stable and easier to play for some reason. So if you can, try both before you buy, that’s my recommendation.
Nothing wrong for a near beginner to try one, it actually help building confidence and control to have some back pressure to deal with, just wear some earplugs while you’re playing a Susato so you won’t be timid about blowing the hell out of it.
Ok, that’s what I needed to know. I know that Susatos aren’t for beginners, and although I will never stop learning, I have been playing for three years and I usually practice about two to three hours a day, so I think I could probably handle one. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to buy them? Should I order from the maker or there a better place?
There is a bit of a distinction with the susato line
Very Small Bore : skinny and quieter. maybe on par with a weak generation type whistle. Usually only available on D or higher whistles from what I rememember, but they could be doing these on lower pitches as well
Small Bore: This should be considered “standard bore” and are the classic “high” or “soprano” whistles. They are pretty freakin loud and you can push them a bit, but I would suggest that Overtons have higher back pressure on a High D whisle like this. Usually available from about Eb Down to A whistles. The Cs are outstanding and the Ds about 95% as good. I have a Small bore A and it is on the weaker more mellow side. Kind of uncharacteristic for a susato
Meduim bore: Substantially fatter than small bore. I have only ever seen these on A and Bb whistles. They are really quite good, Especially the Bb. I think these go down to Gs. Below that they consider them “low Whistles” they aren’t bad and have gotten better from what I have heard.
The tunable kind have a good “throw” on the tuning slide and enable you to play sharp as well as flat. Very nice to be able to get on pitch with the box player who is at A=447. All in all very accurate in the intonation.
I recently bought a Susato small bore non-tuneable high D. It is a very good whistle, with the right breath control it is perfectly in tune. You really have to push the second octave though. The reason I didn’t get a tuneable one is because I own a susato low G that is tuneable and It’s only in tune when the slide is pushed all the way in, so you can only tune it lower if you need to. I didn’t really think paying almost twice as much for a tuneable high D was worth it if it would have the same issue as the low G I own does.
Ahh, yes, an Overton. Actually, I have been wanting one for a while (I have a clip of Brian Finnegan playing a Goldie Overton on the Mad4Trad whistle tutor that won me over), but its a bit difficult to know where to go to get one. If you get one directly from Colin Goldie he will adjust the backpressure and the breath requirement and quite a few other things. The problem is, I’m not really sure what I want, so I would like to just get one and have to figure out what the subtle nuances I would like in an ideal Overton. Would you be recommending one from Bernard or Colin? Is Big Whistle a good place to get one?
Would you be recommending one from Bernard or Colin? Is Big Whistle a good place to get one?