Susato "Low Bb" - Yeah or Nay?

Whistle
1

Hi,

I am considering purchasing a Susato Low Bb whistle. I have a Susato Low D and love it - I am able to get a nice sound out of it (most of the time anyway!). I also like the pricepoint of Susato’s. So, I thought that this might be a good route for the Low Bb, too.

Does anyone have one of these, and if so:

  1. How do you like it?
  2. Would you recommend a different maker than Susato
  3. Would you actually recommend a Low Bb, or should I go w/another key?

Thanks in advance!

2

I can’t imagine wanting, needing or being able to finger any whistle lower than a low D. That’s just me though.

3

I think the only Bb whistle Susato makes is higher than its low D.

4

I never new that Susato made a low Bb, so did a google and saw that it is true! They do have keys for the fingers, so the stretch should be reachable. If you get one let us know how it sounds. I enjoy my High Bb. I would be interested in the keys to know if they were easily played and what the response was like.

Happy whistling
Ian

5

I had another look and sure enough I did not read the web page correctly :blush: It seems as if they call their Bb a low Bb but it is what we would all know as the “alto” Bb or the one below the high C. If you enjoy your D, no reason to not try the Bb, the Susato is pretty uniform across the range that I have C,D and Bb and won’t break the bank.

Ian

6

Thanks everyone.

I should have been more specific. I am thinking about buying a Susato Medium Bore “Low Bb” (i.e., the Bb right below the “High C”), and this is the designation I’ve seen for it on a number of sites. Specifcally, the Whistle & Drum site lists it like this.

Given that little factoid, is it a good purchase? I hear it being played on a lot of disks (Lunasa comes to mind) and it seems to have a nice sound.

Sorry for any confusion I may have caused, but further suggestions are still very welcome.

Thanks!

7

I don’t have the medium bore Bb, but I have its neighbour, the A. It’s a really nice whistle. Great tuning, as is characteristic of Susatos, and its upper octave doesn’t seem to be as pushy (to my ear) as some of the higher keyed ones are. I think you’ll like the Bb! :slight_smile:

Don’t forget that if you order the two piece, you can get other bodies (A, G, and F) to match. I don’t like my F body much and will track down a G one day.

Jef

8

I’ve got the Susato Eb,D, C and Bb with the small bore (rather than the medium). I also have the medium bore A and G. I like Susatos in general, but I like the midrange (Bb-F) most. I think the Bb with medium bore would be nice–probably a little richer than its Bb small bore counterpart.

Maybe consider getting the G Susato, depending on what you have already on the high end. The Bb may be a little towards the high range of whistles (though it fits lots of music you might run into), whereas the G puts you in a good middle spot. It’s my favorite of the Susatos and if you like the Low D, I’ll bet you’ll like this as well.

Cheers,
Keith

9

I own a Susato Medium Bore Bb and a Medium Bore A. Both are terrific whistles, but the Bb is truly superior. Susato has really hit upon a sweet spot in bore dimentions vs key with that whistle. It is loud but not piercing. More “confident” and “deliberate” in its sound. An excellent solo instrument. I have average sized hands, and I can reach all the holes with the tips of my fingers but a piper’s grip is more comfortable on both of these whistles. (especially the A).

I agree whole-heartedly that they are an excellent value for the money.

Great whistle.. You really can’t go wrong.

Best regards,
Scott

10

Go for it.

11

Thanks all,

After a couple of months of deliberation I have ordered one from the Kelischek Workshop. I even decided, on a spur of the moment impulse buy (obviously without a couple months deliberations :roll: ), to order the “High F” too. Man, my wife is gonna love me!

All of your comments have been great help!

Thanks again.

12

Did you really expect us to tel you to not get a whistle? Be careful with that high F I have a High E which is painful enough hopefully your fingers can cover the holes some people (such as myself) have fingers that are too big for those way high whistles. I like Bb whistles but I actually prefer B nat.

13

I have a Generation Bb that I tweaked, but it’s a key I don’t enjoy playing in. to me it sounds depressing. On the opposite side, I very much like Eb. Seems perky and bright and uplifting to me. Neither key is of much use at a session, unless you’re accompanying a song perhaps.

14

I didn’t know they made one that low, either! :boggle: