Ok here we go, cat among the pigeons.
I like black plastic whistles. I’ve got a few Susatos (all in D) they are hard to play, shrill and uncompromising. They’re so nearly right but still a million miles off the mark. I really like the look and feel of these whistles but. The VSB sounds nice in the first octave but the second octave is rubbish, really thin and not at all musical. It really gets my goat that they’re so defensive about their whistles and the intonation etc. Get a grip Susato, yield to your public, give us a medium loud D whistle that’s sweet and easy to play and costs £15.
Perhaps you’ve not put in the time to really learn to play them yet?
In the right hands, they can really sing, but they are not particularly easy whistles to play.
–James
I know many people like Susatos and feel that an experienced player can get a much sweeter sound, particularly from the second octave, than a beginner can. I think they are making some narrow bore ones that are quieter, but I have not played one. Why don’t you just find another kind of whistle? Or maybe you could make your own from PVC pipe and color it black. Lots of people are into making their own.
Or… stop choosing whistles based on how they look, and choose them for their sound and playability?
Put that susato in a drawer, though, and pick it up again in a year. You’ll be surprised.
Try a Dixon.
Ah, a good suggestion.
When I saw Lunasa playing Sausatos, they sounded pretty darned good. And supposedly they’re very popular in Europe.
I’ve found with Susatos you can also overpower the guitar players when you play with a rock band - so you can now talk softly and carry a big (sound) stick! But hey, I just joined and this is my 1st reply- why do I think my opinion matters?
-Art
Art, check your private messages (click on “private messages” at the top of this page). 
I agree!
FJohn Sharp
They certainly do seem to be popular this side of the pond. I have 16! Why am I deaf? 
I’ve only played one Susato, one time. I believe it was a small bore D, Dublin if I remember right. I can say that it was much louder than most my other whistles, and sounded a bit recorderish… But, one thing I liked about it, it seemed to record better on the mic, much clearer, than most my other whistles. That’s my take on them. But, I’m suppose to be getting a Susato low A and G Kildare, so, we’ll see how those turn out.
Thanks for the response chaps.
I’m not looking for another whistle I’m having a moan about my Susatos.
It bugs me that they don’t fulfill their promise.
I know that there are musical athletes out there that can tame these whistles,
Kevin Crawford comes to mind although it has to be said that on the Kerry whistle clips there’s a lot of reverb in the mix.
Everyone says give it time, put in more effort etc but why would you want to when you aren’t rewarded with a musical sound, it’s as if you are playing in spite of the instrument. I’ve built my own whistles and I’ve got a lot of craft and design experience. Let’s say you had complete freedom to design and build a whistle using modern plastics technology; would you come up with something as perverse as a Susato?
No, ofcourse not. But you need appreciate the designer probably had to work within some practical limits: a particular tube diameter and standard head size that needed to be stretched over several keys. Economics and production processes and all that.
The Susato B (and maybe C, I can’t remember playing many of those) is quite nice. I recently got two Susato A whistles (I traded one for a Susato D I didn’t want in the house any longer and two weeks later, out of the blue, was given a tuneable one as well) and they are acceptable enough too.
The combination of bore/head just didn’t work out very well for the D (or e flat for that matter), which I think is an awful whistle. Granted, it works great in a controlled environment with microphones and equaliser and what have you to balance out the high notes but if you enjoy getting dirty looks bring one out to your local session, success guaranteed. I don’t particularly like the sound Kevin Crawford gets from them (the Christy Barry set o nthe D flute album had me wondering what the hell he was playing when I heard it first ) but many, myself included, are amazed at the lovely sound Roisin nic Donncha gets from her Susato, but maybe she’s the exception to the rule, who knows.
Seems like it would make more sense to buy a whistle you like’d better.
Syns have roughly the same feel and resistance as a Susato, but are much easier in terms of handling the second octave.
If it’s the volume you’re after, regular old Feadog whistles are every bit as loud as a Susato, maybe actually a bit louder, since once you learn to handle a Susato you don’t go around blasting away at the top of your lungs anymore.
If you’re just taken with black plastic, then a Dixon is a good alternative.
Why keep on truckin’ with whistles you have already decided don’t work for you? Find something that does.
But I do agree with Congrutulations: pick it up again in a couple of years and you may be amazed.
–James
I agree with the general sentiment here. Just like those old standbys, the Generation, the player brings a lot to the table with these whistles. After playing a few years and learning your breath control, you will probably be surprised at how much better these things can sound in your hands. In the meantime, move on and get something that suits you now.
I had an old Soodlums when I first started playing. My wife gave it to me, and it was old when I got it. I don’t even remember where she said she got it. It was absolutely horrible..flat, with bad intonation, and squeaky. But I never got rid of it..the resale value is just too low on those kinds of whistles. Now, I wouldn’t get rid of it at all…I can make it play just fine, and I pull it out of the whistle drawer often when learning tunes. I just had to grow into the whistle.
Susies are NOT for the faint hearted whistler,you’ll need some balls to really play these babies.
(and talent)
Phil.
Okay, here we go again! Guess I’ll come off as “defensive” again. First
of all thanks to Steve for giving our whistles a go and we’re sorry they
don’t meet his expectations. However, though I am sure others share
his view I do not believe he is representative of our “public” and
for him to presume so is unrealistic. I also object to terminology that
refers to our whistles as “preverse”. We do have access to the best
in modern plastics technology but more importantly we have someone
here who has 50+ years experience in making, designing, repairing,
and playing a multitude of wind instruments and he has designed
and created whistles that have a found a world wide market and
acceptance and as evidenced in this post many players like them very
much as they are. If he choses to belittle our work on a public forum
then it’s fair to question his credentials to evaluate that work. All
this said it is a valid point that maybe we could create an even
better -D- whistle and we should accept that as a worthy goal. I’m
impressed with Peter’s comments & knowledge as despite the fact
he’s never been to our shop he grasps the basic dynamics concerning
economics and technology that determine how and why we do
things. Only a few who frequent this board have ever been to
our shop and really know what is going on and the depth of
my father George’s knowledge and passion in regards to
music and instrument making. Anyone is welcome to visit
and see how we make our whistles. I’d like to go on and on
but we’ve got whistles to ship.
Thanks to all for your continuing support and encouragement.
Kelhorn Mike
This was your best post yet, Mike! Very well worded. I have no
problem with you defending your whistles when they are derided. I
think if you stay within the tone of the previous post, you’re doing well.
I may take you up on that, as my brother might be going to Western
Carolina U, which is… let’s see… still 2 hours away. D’oh. Anyway, if
I decide to come tour, should I call first?
I agree. It’s one thing to have a problem with the sound of plastic instruments in general and quite another to pick on Susato in particular. . .
Mike, I knew this would be a controversial post, it’s certainly a thread with some life in it. None of what I said was remotely personal or critical of the company, or of your experience and credentials. I’m actually a nice person by the way. I’m saying as I find though and I maintain that the two Susato D’s (SB and VSB) that I own are difficult instruments. Why not take up the challenge Mike and make us an “even” better high D. Those people that aren’t your public now could well be in the future. Steve