Can anyone tell me what the technical difference is between a wide bore whistle and a narrow bore whistle? And why should it make any differerence?
Do Overtons and ‘feadog’ whistles sound like they do 'coz they have comparatively wide or narrow bores respectively?
Jetboy 
Well, even though I make whistles, I’m not going to stick my neck out too awfully far here, but on wide bore whistles you can typically get a bit more volume as compared to a narrow bore whistle and with that statement… a narrow bore is ideal when constructing a ‘quieter’ whistle. (Although narrow bore is not restricted to quiet whistles by any means)
Then there’s the matter of customer preference…
There’s more to tell on this subject, and I will let some of the other members and makers on the board go ahead with the rest, as this will be an interesting subject to watch, and I’ve not strayed into the area of making the different selections myself! 
Take care,
John
In addition to making quieter whistles, a narrow bore will also make a whistle that’s more responsive – cuts and taps will pop better. I’m not by any means a great player, but even I have gotten to the point where I notice this.
The mouthpiece design has much more to do with the characteristic sound of the whistle – the sound of the Overton, for example, is largely due to the narrow windway (makes a higher-pressure stream), the angle and shape of the blade, the dimensions of the windway, etc.
It’s my understanding that a narrower bore creates a more “complex” or reedy sound, whereas a wider bore creates a sound that some people would characterize as “purer” (having fewer audible overtones). All else being equal, it’s a difference that can be heard if you’re listening for it.
Perhaps Ridseard or Thomas (or both) can give a more precise answer. And, of course, please correct me if I’m mistaken.
Best wishes,
Jerry
There is some difference in fingering between narrow-bore and wide-bore whistles.
For instance on many wide bore whistles ( x x o | x x x ) will give a good 1st octave G-sharp, and ( x x o | x o x ) will give a good second octave G-sharp.
On narrow bore whistles, usually the only way to get a good first octave G-sharp is to half-hole; however, on most narrow bore whistles ( x x o | x x o ) will give a good clean second octave G-sharp.
Wide bore whistles include Mello D, Susato, Dixon, Serpent, Syn, Cronnolly, and Sweet whistles.
Narrow bore whistles include Generation, Clare, Waltons Brass, LBW, Oak, Acorn, Susato VSB and similar whistles.
–James
When we’re talking wide/narrow bore what difference in diameter are we talking about? I ask because I have a Dixon, an SB Susato and several cheap whistles (all high D) and I don’t see any difference between them.
Mike
Jetboy replies,
The difference is about 5mm. I am experimenting with manufacture in a variety of metals, mainly copper, chrome plated copper, brass and chrome plated brass. Most recently,I am looking at stainless and working with a specialist supplier to work in very fine tolerances. The snag is their stock tube is either 12.07mm o/d (10mm i/d) or 19.5mm o/d. (16.5mm i/d)The larger is great for the longer whistles like ‘A’ but I am not convinced it will make a satisfactory ‘D’ Also, the 12.07mm makes a beautiful slender and elegant ‘D’ whistle but I am not sure if I will get a satisfactory tone from it. (I have not actually made one yet!)
I have a cheap ‘feadog’ whistle that is the same diameter approx and this is very shrill and I have made loads of 15mm copper that are mellow and very loud!
Basically, I am after some tips from anyone who makes or has made instruments in the past.
Jetboy,
I will tell you this much, when you start working with thicker wall and rigid materials (which in this case you will be… apx or at 3mm, stainless steel and then chrome plated materials (is this actual chrome or chrome like anodize?)) when you get to D whistles and the like you will start finding that the mouthpiece will start getting touchy as the resonence of your material starts getting less. I have found that the bell note starts getting difficult to voice, depending on the structure of the mouthpiece when your material is less resonate, so keep that in mind when building. You might have to make slight cariances in the angle of the blade or depth of windway or length of plug, etc.
And then again, you might not if you have come up with a particular mouthpiece design so go for it! it’s all different for different deisgns!!! That’s the fun of it! (Not to mention I’ve not made one narrow bore, I am just imagining that it would seem even less resonant with an even smaller tube opening, so there you have it!! I don’t know, I’m just giving suggestions from past experience with resonance!!! )
Take care,
John
It’s impossible to generalize very much about differences in loudness and timbre between wide and narrow bore whistles, since so much depends on the mouthpiece. I do agree with James that narrow bores tend to have faster response. This may be due to the smaller mass of air inside the tube, but I don’t know for sure.