Got my hands on the VSB in the key of D and was very pleasantly surprised. It’s dead-on in tune, as Susatos generally are, and it had less of the pure fluty sound than the SB, and a little more of that cheap-whistle chirpy thing I like. They still can be a little hard to control in the higher reaches (though to a lesser extent than my SB), but I can learn to do that. In any event, there was more difference between the VSB and SB than I thought there would be, and I really like it.
The only Susatos I’ve tried are the SB Bb, which I sold, and very recently my new Susato VSB Dublin. I love the Dublin more each day. It’s one of those whistles that grows on you until you play it more and more each day, I think.
I like my Bb SB, and the C. I didn’t care for the D SB, though.
I think I too will love my VSB more each day. I know some folks don’t like plastic in whistles, but where I live it’s 90+ degrees for months on end with sauna-like humidity, so the Susatos and Dixons take the heat better and don’t get temperamental on me. Also, Susatos are the best as far as always being in tune, IMHO anyway. For the $, they’re hard to beat. I’m just glad I like the tone of the VSB better than the SB.
It’s funny how our tastes and needs change. I gave away my first couple of Susato’s. I just got another because I needed a very loud in-tune whistle. I’m still not in love with the tone, but in a crowded session (beside a slightly amplified guitar) I can now hear myself play.
I’ve been playing SB and VSB Susato D whistles for over a year now. At first I thought I liked the VSB better, but lately I’ve been really enjoying the full, expressive tone of the SB. They’re both very good whistles, but now I think I like the SB just a smidgen better than the VSB. (Gimme another year, and I’ll probably change my mind again.)
Gee, I don’t know about any HRRRNNG thing. But I’ve heard of no dogs’ heads exploding or spontaneous pants-crapping incidents . . . They’re not for the faint of ear, but my ear can live with them because they’re in tune, unlike many of the cheaper whistles I have (I have no high-end ones yet).
I only hear that when my phone is ringing. I have a Susato in C. I think it’s a normal or narrow bore. Sounds good but loud. My cat does not seem to mind.
I recently aquired a Susato C kildare, I think it sounds great, it is very nice to play, even my wife likes the sound it makes, she has stopped leaving the room when I play!!! :roll:
The VSB can be nice as can the SB Susato, but the VSB fails in breezy conditions and the SB punches through nicely-just something to consider
for outdoor play. I like both at different times, but always choose SB for outdoor play.
BTW, “HHRRRRNNNNGGGGG” is the pitch-bending harmony bagpipes play before piper launches into the music, but maybe I’m confusing it with “HuuUUnnnggggGGchhhw…”
Actually the sound of the highland pipes which you are describing is more of a “hooo…Hooouurrnnnnnggggmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm” Only the susato whistle is capable of creating the “hhrrrnnnggg” noise
