I wanted to try my first Low D, didn’t have too much money, and decided to order a Susato Low D. Did I make a mistake ? Should I have ordered a Dixon ?
I had a Susato and it sounded OK, I just didn’t like the key - it made a bit too much noise for me… At the price, you are probably fine. I play a brass Viper now, BTW.
Pat
I bought one 3 weeks ago and really like it. I has a nice full sound, good volume, and is in tune. I’ve played it on stage and listeners liked it too.
Susato might be coming out with a transverse flute head for the low D body in the next few months, so this whistle has other possibilities.
You didn’t make a mistake. I’ve been very pleased with all my Susato whistles.
You will need to learn the “pipers grip” for the lower holes, but that goes for any low D whistle/flute. It takes time, but stick with it.
I recently went to a gig and saw Kevin Crawford (Lunasa) play a susato low D - if it’s good enugh for him then I guess it says it all. Personally I prefer an aluminium, but boy could he make that baby sing!!!
Kevin also makes good use of a Susato high C. I haven’t seen him play the low D though it wouldn’t surprise me. He can get a lot out of any whistle.
I owned Susatos from high E down to low D and used them as my main instruments for about four/five years. I like them. My only real nit with the low D, and many of the Susato low whistles, is the size of the RH2 hole. It’s really large. This is before they started adding the keys mind you. I have smallish hands and could still play it well with a piper’s grip. It had a nice sound and played in tune. I’ve since moved on to using Burkes for key coverage.
Feadoggie
I think the RH holes are the main issue with the Susato low D, but I guess it can be overcome. They are not that easy to play, requiring decent breath control (and quite a bit of it, too in the upper Octave). They tend to be in tune and responsive, and one can do much worse, I feel. Personally, I don’t care for the sound so very much, but that’s neither here no there, and matters less if you are going to mic or record the whistle.
No arguments there from me, Bloomfield. And that is a common criticism of the Susato. Different strokes for different folks. That’s one thing I liked about the Susato low D. It does have a generous windway size and that allows for real control of the timbre by just how you appraoch the mouthpiece. I could play it straight and pure or get it to growl if I wanted to (and many tonal variations in between). I like free blowing whistles for that very reason. I prefer being in control of the whistle, not the other way round. Some like “constrained” windways and that’s fine too.
Feadoggie
Perhaps I could have been clearer: I didn’t mean the sentence you quoted as a criticism of Susatos, but rather as a warning to beginners. I just don’t think Susatos are an easy whistle to start on.
I think it comes down to anatomy. Specifically: fingers.
I’ve played ~6 low D’s. The size of the Susato lower holes were just hard for me. Dixon was one of the 6 and was certainly a little easier to finger. Each has their own voice. I wound up making my own.
I must add that I love all my other (5) Susatos. They’re durable, in-tune, and very responsive. I even have a mute for them. I’ll post some notes+pics when I can figure out how to take+post pics.
trill