Where do you get the notion that I am dissmissiong all the above whistles for every player out there?
Because you are discourageing people in a very broad sense to avoid certain brands, whatever they might be.
It’s better to encourage someone to try it for themselves, and see how they like it, unless they are asking specific questions about the whistle, and saying they are looking for certain qualities, or have certain concerns.
I’m not stuck on the physical aspects of playing low whistles, but many feel it’s very difficult if they have small hands. You even said you had trouble with the Susato, and didn’t think it was worth the effort to learn to play it for its sound qualities. If you are using your pinky to cover the lowest hole, then it sounds like you have physical concerns with low whistles too.
So, personal opinions are fine as long as you specify what you don’t like about a given whistle, instead of “I would stay away from…” brand X, Y & Z period.[/quote]
The Susato low D is poorly designed and inefficient in terms of fingering. But even it had the easiest reach in the world it would not be worth the effort to learn for the sound qualities/playing qualities. They only thing Susato low D’s have going for them is price. (I don’t use my pinky to play one.)
About the rest of your post. Two things you may wish to consider: If someone doesn’t like what you like, but something else, he or she isn’t dissing or insulting you. When I started posting on message boards I was concerned about how posts (by others) would look to the helpless and ignorant; I now prefer to trust in the maturity and intelligence of my fellow posters.
I stated my opinion that for me the Dixon is far better than the Susato. I was sticking to the original question. If we open up to other price ranges then I would say an Alba or an Overton.
The best thing I have heard said about the Chieftain is it sounds like an Overton. So why not just buy an Overton. I also like the Alba and when I buy a low D I will buy an Alba and an Overton.
At present My only low D is a Jubilee practice whistle. It is a very good whistle for the price. It is not an Alba or an Overton and it wasn’t intended to be. It has helped me to learn how to play a Low D which I think was the purpose for which it was intended.
No whistle satisfies all players. Whistles are a matter of perceived qualities. Each person perceives differently.
If I were on a total shoestring budget and wanted to choose a low whislte, say below $50, I would go with the Jubilee Practice whistle. Same air requirements of the Susato, same or similar sound, MUCH easier finger reach and very much a lower price.
You also get a personal relationship with the maker unlike with Susatos where I got a rude and beligerant person “helping” me.
I have not tried a Dixon, so I cannot speak about them.
About the rest of your post. Two things you may wish to consider: If someone doesn’t like what you like, but something else, he or she isn’t dissing or insulting you. When I started posting on message boards I was concerned about how posts (by others) would look to the helpless and ignorant; I now prefer to trust in the maturity and intelligence of my fellow posters.
I never said I was insulted at all. I respect your opinions. You’ve been into whistles far longer than I have been. It’s just that sometimes people don’t know enough about whistles when they come here for advice, and all I’m saying is don’t give them the wrong impression by giving a blanket answer like… avoid these brands of whistles. Do you understand me now?
I started out joking with you about being wrong about the Susatos. If you didn’t catch that, I’m sorry. Just look for the smiley faces!
I am on my second Susato Low D whistle. The first one was hard to play and played out of tune on some notes no matter what I did. After contacting Susato, they asked me to send it back to them for analysis. They replaced the whistle for me. Perhaps the quality control of production is an issue.
I agree that the low-hand spacing is uncomfortable . Fast articulation is difficult for me on this whistle.
I am on my second Susato Low D whistle. The first one was hard to play and played out of tune on some notes no matter what I did. After contacting Susato, they asked me to send it back to them for analysis. They replaced the whistle for me. Perhaps the quality control of production is an issue.
I agree that the low-hand spacing is uncomfortable . Fast articulation is difficult for me on this whistle.
If you like the way it sounds I think you better not EVER wash that whistle out. It did in fact come from Jerry, through me. That whistle was his toddler daughter’s “practice” whistle. He told me she carried it everywhere and played a mean “C#” song on it. So, there is no telling WHAT is in there to make it sound the way it does.
Maybe his daughter should open her own Susato Low D tweaking business?
hahhaah…i worked in the village just next to where the riiiiicoolllaaaaaaaaaaaaaa candies are made. a small wee village, everybody works in the factory.
Mmm, yes, well. On the subject of Susato low Ds,a friend of mine just gave me one a week ago,along with a Susato low G and a mystery bamboo D flute.She has a hard time reaching holes sometimes,even the low G was too far for her.
So anyway,I don’t know this whistle very well yet,but it’s louder than my Alba,the holes are easy enough for me to reach,I don’t like the sound much,it takes a good bit of air.Not my favorite,but for a free whistle,I’m not complaining.Okay, yes I am complaining a little.The fipple/beak/whatever is really fat.That’s all I’m complaining about.
-Kelly
I have had both Chieftains and Overtons in a couple of different keys (Bb and lower). They may have a similar lineage, but there ARE differences in manufacture and playability. The Overton plays a little tighter than the Chieftain. It takes just a little more work, but it also rewards you with expressive play.
It is the same old argument, which is better. The only way you will know for sure is to try them both. I did, and like the Overton better.
That’s a good point just made (by Wanderer) about the Chieftains and the Overtons. It seems lately a few people have said things like ‘the Overtons are superior to the Chieftains but I haven’t tried the New Range Chieftains’- so the comparison is to the older models. It would be nice to hear some side by side comparisons with the NR Chieftains to the Overtons. – I have one of the new Jubilee practice low D’s and the air requirements are fairly high I think, although the earlier version was even higher evidentally. - If I was going to suggest a lower priced Low D it would probably be the Dixon. --I have a feeling there may be something to Michael Coleman’s recommendation of the Kerry a few posts back as well. -mike
I’d send you mine, but I’m too taken with it–most everyone at session is too. Even two of our fiddlers have commented on how nice it was. Having had both, the new range is much superior to the old model.
I think there is a place for both the detailed discussion and the simple ranking of preferences.
It did in fact come from Jerry, through me. That whistle was his toddler daughter’s “practice” whistle. He told me she carried it everywhere and played a mean “C#” song on it. So, there is no telling WHAT is in there to make it sound the way it does.
