I have a Susato Low ‘F’ on it’s way to me, according to the Susato site this key is available in both the M & L bore sizes
Given a choice I would have perhaps gone for the L bore as (according to the site) it’s louder and I would have had the option of purchasing a Low ‘D’ body at a later date
However this is moot as the stockist I have ordered from only carries the M bore
Is the M bore still relatively loud? I’ve specifically chosen a Susato as they are known to be on the loud side
I currently need to be heard over a frightfully loud Sitar play in a band I’m helping out, and I’m on my annual ‘Xmas Carol Busking’ tour at the moment, I need VOLUME!!!
The low F whistles I have heard - Dixon, Goldie, MK, Susato in both L and M bodies, are all relatively quiet. but sound lovely to me (I have a Dixon polymer low F).
Thanks for that Davy, at least I know it’s not worth trying another ‘F’ for the volume I crave
In quick succession I have bought (and sold/returned within days) a Low ‘A’ , a Bass ‘A’ , a Low ‘F’ I need to accept I only TRULY feel at home on the Low ‘D’ and stick with those (currently on my eleventh in two years)
Volume isn’t everything, a low F can be hauntingly beautiful to play - if you had got something other than the Susato, and it’s recorderlike tone you dislike, you would likely be keeping it irrespective of the volume.
Hulbert, unless it’s an acoustic band I don’t see what the volume has to do with it. IMO you should always, always go for quality not volume. Goldie (Overton), MK or Burke. F is a particularly nice whistle, I would say it’s a mistake to sacrifice quality for volume. If you buy one of the these and don’t get on with it you can sell it for pretty much what you paid for it, give or take the price of a curry. The difference in volume of all these whistles is actually negligible, don’t compromise.
Many thanks for the input, all gratefully received. However can I ask both of you have a quick read of my original post?
As stated I am attempting to be heard alongside a Sitar (I’m subbing for an indisposed clarinet player in a Punk/Bhangra covers band)
There is really no place for ‘Hauntingly Beautiful’ in this setup (well perhaps the opening of the Specials ‘Ghost Town’ but that’s my solo anyway) but other than than ‘volume’ is very much an issue
Having owned several ‘high end’ whistles I am aware of ‘quality’ issues, in this instance it’s really a non starter, I don’t wish to spend a fortune as I will probably never use the ‘F’ again after this ‘gig’, given the venues to be played and the crowds attending it would be foolhardy to use an expensive instrument, given the instrumentation and material played I assure you I need volume, TONS of shreiking, ear splitting volume