Looking for opinions on Susato Low D.
Searched the board but couldn’t find anything.
Anyone own/played one of these.
Joe
Joe, For searches don’t use the first search page, with the google symbol next to it, go to the next page with the 2 lines of options including log in and FAQ and click on that search. Also, on the search itself I’ve found you almost have to put in, for example, Susato AND low, that is, include the AND. Somewhere there are some search tips that mention this. As far as the Susato lows go, some people like them but Dixons and Hoovers get better marks from what I’ve read. At least as far as the more affordable models go. - mike
Susatos are great! I tried one the other day, and though I love the little F I just procured, I could not handle the finger spread/pad size needs for the one I tried. I have fairly large hands for a woman, but at least on the one I used, it isn’t for me.
It’s hard enough to handle the Howard low D I have, and love. … I’m sticking with it.
I have tried the Susato and a Dixon side by side. I prefer the Dixon in all criteria. The Jubilee practice whistle is a nice low D for the price with a friendly finger spread. Mine takes a lot of air but I understand that Daniel has improved it.
Ron
Yes I’ve tried all manner of search criteria and turned up nothing.
I have a Howard which has a great bottom octave but you really have to push it to get the second octave which is considerably louder. The hole size and spread on the Howard are about as much as I can manage at the moment. I’ve also played a Dixon and agree it’s a great whistle, so easy to play after the Howard but it’s a little on the quiet side, and had a quick tootle on a Shaw and nearly passed out!
But there’s a Susato on UK eBay that’s not attracting any bids and I’m tempted so was looking for a little feedback.
Joe
The Dixon is easier to play for most people, I think - less daunting finger stretch and hole size, and less air requirements. I haven’t spent enough time with a Susato low D to say much about how well they play once you’ve adapted.
But if you’re looking for a low-priced low D, I’d recommend looking at the Howard and Kerry low Ds.
I’ve heard good things about the Kerry here on the board, but haven’t had a chance to play one. But several folks here have mentioned liking 'em, and the price is roughly comparible to the Susato or Dixon.
I do have a Howard. Yes, at first it’s intimidating with those big finger holes (though I think it’s easier than the Susato D once you start playing it). But although it takes a bit more technique and breath control than the Dixon to handle, the difffernce in sound is phenominal. Better tone, more resonance, faster response . . . it gives you a lot of whistle for your money. And once you learn to deal with the Howard (which looks far more difficult than it really is) you should be able to deal with any low whistle out there.
Hi Joe,
I have a Susato Dublin, non tunable ivory colored low D whistle with the black fipple. I also have a Howard. If you can play the Howard, then the Susato will be no problem.
It may take you a little while to adjust to the different holes, but the stretch is about equal in length, except the 2nd lowest hole(E)on the Susato is closer to the 3rd hole(F#), and it is oval shaped.
The Susato is a little quieter in the lower octave, but a decent volume. I find it very easy to play through the two octaves, and very predictable. You can play it quietly in both octaves, or push it, especially in the upper. I also like the sound. I use it to learn tunes on, because warm-up is shorter than the Howard, or an all metal whistle. If you get it at an attractive price, it should be fine. If you think you can trust the seller. Look at his feedback first.
These are available on Chiff from time to time also. In fact, I almost sold mine a little while ago, and may again list it for sale. Only because sometimes one has more whistles than necessary! I was going to ask $35 for it(about 20GBP), for example, shipping in the US included, just to give you an idea. And you can find them from time to time at comparable prices.
I think there are better whistles if you want to spend more, but for the price, they are a good whistle.
If you like your Howard, though, it just might need some tweaking. Mine is an older brass one at least 15 years old, that is very easy to play in both octaves also, loud or soft. I don’t believe mine was tweaked. Howard also sells a fipple replacement for about 20GBP that is the new style, supposed to be easier to play. But there is a Howard tweak listed on Chiff if you want to try that, or someone might be able to do it for you. You could ask in a new post about that.
Good luck.
Burke’s are nice if you can afford them. Mine plays great and is a beaut.
Susato’s are great “learning” whistles. I started out with a one piece Susato Low D when I first got into Lows. It is a great whistle, but does take some air to push to the second octives.
All in all it a great instrument…good luck.
The last two holes on the Susato low D are extremely far apart. The Dixon is much much better, IMHO.
Thanks for the feedback folks.
Think I’ll let this one go and stick with the Howard for now.
A friend of mine visited Brian earlier this year and bought me back a new whistle head which is a major improvment that I would recommend to any one.
Joe
This oval shape is really long, as well. If the middle finger of your right hand is the least bit too skinny,
you’re gonna have a problem with covering that hole for a while. I know I did.
The Susato Low D is a beast, in my opinion. The fingering is awkward (you can manage by using your pinky), that F# hole is a a nuisance, it takes too much air, and you don’t even get much of a good sound. That last point is subjective of course, but I think the Susato low D doesn’t even compare well to a Susato A or Bb or C. Still, it’s cheap.
No, Bloomie, the Susato is a pussy cat, YOU’RE THE BEAST! 
Mine is a very good low D whistle, and compares very well to much more costly low Ds that I own, so I think you are WRONG! 
It’s got a great tone, and is easy to play into the second octave. You can push it for extra volume, or you can play it softly, and it still works. The only thing I had trouble with is getting used to the long oval E hole, but once you do, it’s fine. If I cover it near the second joint of my middle finger, it seals it well. I also don’t find the reach a problem to the last hole(D) either, and I don’t have to use my pinky.
Do you play low Ds much? It seems that you have a short reach, and I can see that it might be a problem for someone who does. But for someone who plays low Ds on a regular basis, it’s really no problem.
Now, here’s the catch. 
I did say I haven’t compared mine to any others since I got mine, and maybe most of them aren’t like mine, I don’t know. What I can say is that I understand Jerry Freeman once owned it, and that could explain the whistles willingness to perform. If it’s true that Jerry tweaked it, then a lot of Susato players are missing something if theirs don’t play well. If they are able to play low Ds, and it doesn’t play well, then maybe all it needs is a tweak by someone like Jerry, or whoever might do them.
What do you think?
I play the low D here and there. Haven’t had issues with my reach even on the Susato. But getting used to the weird stretch and that bloody oval hole isn’t worth the bother for the Susato-sound, imho.
Now, here’s the catch. >
What do you think?
I think that Jerry doesn’t tweak Susatos. I do, btw, and improve them vastly in my opinion (not so humble this time). Usually the Sustatos are good quality in that they play and are generally in tune. So yours may not be unusual in that it performs.
It may be a good idea to compare your Susato not only to other Susatos. If you want the best low D (disreagarding wood for a moment), I’d go with the Overton. The Copeland low Ds are also great, take too much air and cost and arm and a leg. Personal preference between those two really. An Alba is also nice, if not quite as nice as an Overton.
If you want to start at the low end, I’d go with a Kerry low D, much better than a Susato and not that much more. Won’t satisfy you for that long though.
I would stay away from Chieftains (two caveats: Haven’t played a new one, and once played a very nice low E), Cillian O’Brians, Susatos, and Howards. YMMV.
Go with the Kerry…you won’t be disappointed. And its in the same price range.
From my experience (had both at the same time a few months ago) you basically described the Susato, except the Susato took a bit more air to play as well. Tried to suck my lungs out, it did.
There you go again, steering people away from whistles that YOU don’t like, especially when they are broad generalizations. I don’t think you can just dismiss all the above whistles for every player out there, unless there are specifics about the whistles with which you have a problem.
I think there are some fine Chieftains out there, and equal in quality to the Overtons-yes, I have tried both. Some of the factory made Chieftains have a great sound. Yes, you can get a custom voicing from Colin Goldie (only if you order direct), but I believe you can get some help in that regard if you go to Phil Hardy for one of his Kerry Pros, which he also makes by hand.
The Cillian O Briains are great whistles also, maybe some of the best sounding whistles out there. They take a little air, and the stetch between the lowest two holes is a little farther than some. But they are well worth trying(if you can find one now that he stopped making them) to see if you can handle the physical requirements, instead of saying STAY AWAY from them! Because, in my opinion, they are THAT good!
Howards are also an excellent low D for the money. They have a completley different tone from any I’ve played. It took me a little while to appreciate that unique tone, but I do now. A lot of people like them!Mine is very easy to play, in both registers, and well mannered. Yes, it has large holes, and not everyone CAN play one, but I don’t think you should tell people to stay away from them either.
If people don’t try a whistle to see if they like it, and in the case of the lows, to see if they can make the stretch, and cover the holes, there’s only one way for them to know, and that’s to see if it works for their physical requirements, and their own idea of what is pleasing in tone.
Isn’t that sorta kinda what a discussion board is for? Being able to ask a question and actually get people’s opinion in response? How much softer should I pad it? “I would stay away,” I said (and I would and I do), and stated that people’s views are likely to differ. Where do you get the notion that I am dissmissiong all the above whistles for every player out there?
If people don’t try a whistle to see if they like it, and in the case of the lows, to see if they can make the stretch, and cover the holes, there’s only one way for them to know, and that’s to see if it works for their physical requirements, and their own idea of what is pleasing in tone.
I think you’re hung up on this “physical requirements” thing, Practically everybody can play a good low D with practice.
Barry, do you know a guy named Talbert?