MTGuru O-Ring Susato Tweak
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 9:31 pm
Several people have asked about this mysterious procedure to improve the sound and playability of Susato whistles. So here it is:
Take a #12 plumbing O-ring, slip it over the head joint of your Susato S-bore whistle, and push it snug up against the wide part of the head just behind the fipple blade. Voilà. This creates a rounded air dam that seems to have the following effects:
o Increases back pressure and reduces air requirements.
o Reduces scratchiness in the upper range of the whistle, and improves overall responsiveness.
o Reduces overall volume slightly without altering pitch or tuning.
I've added O-rings to all my Susato whistles with very positive results, and several other people have reported the same. The effect is noticeable, but doesn't change the basic character of the whistle. And this tweak is obviously completely non-invasive and reversible. For times when you want the original sound and feel, just slide the O-ring down the head a bit toward the Susato logo, and the air dam is effectively gone.
For S-bore whistles (e.g. D and C) the #12 O-ring fits perfectly. For larger M-bore whistles a #15 O-ring does the trick. The ones I picked up at Home Depot have the following dimensions:
#12 - 5/8" inside diameter - 13/16" outside diameter
#15 - 3/4" inside diameter - 1" outside diameter
The smaller V-bore whistles (D and above) should take a smaller 9/16" ID O-ring, but the #12 can work by using a second O-ring as a shim:
And lacking an O-ring, a rubber band or a ponytail band (wrapped several times around), or even a rolled bit of Blu Tack can be substituted to experiment with the effect.
Now if you loathe your Susato, this tweak won't turn it into your favorite whistle. But if you like your Susato but find it a bit unruly, the MTGuru O-ring tweak might help to tame it. For my playing taste, the increased backpressure and sweeter upper register are improvements.
Does it work with whistles other than Susatos? Maybe. My Generation type whistles show little positive effect. My Copeland D hates the O-ring. But my Burke D responds like the Susato, with more back pressure and slightly less volume. I prefer the original feel, but a friend reports he likes the O-ring on his Burke. In any case, it's a cheap, easy and reversible experiment on any whistle.
I'm interested in feedback from anyone who tries it. Enjoy!
P.S. If those photos are too dark, please let me know and I'll redo them.
Take a #12 plumbing O-ring, slip it over the head joint of your Susato S-bore whistle, and push it snug up against the wide part of the head just behind the fipple blade. Voilà. This creates a rounded air dam that seems to have the following effects:
o Increases back pressure and reduces air requirements.
o Reduces scratchiness in the upper range of the whistle, and improves overall responsiveness.
o Reduces overall volume slightly without altering pitch or tuning.
I've added O-rings to all my Susato whistles with very positive results, and several other people have reported the same. The effect is noticeable, but doesn't change the basic character of the whistle. And this tweak is obviously completely non-invasive and reversible. For times when you want the original sound and feel, just slide the O-ring down the head a bit toward the Susato logo, and the air dam is effectively gone.
For S-bore whistles (e.g. D and C) the #12 O-ring fits perfectly. For larger M-bore whistles a #15 O-ring does the trick. The ones I picked up at Home Depot have the following dimensions:
#12 - 5/8" inside diameter - 13/16" outside diameter
#15 - 3/4" inside diameter - 1" outside diameter
The smaller V-bore whistles (D and above) should take a smaller 9/16" ID O-ring, but the #12 can work by using a second O-ring as a shim:
And lacking an O-ring, a rubber band or a ponytail band (wrapped several times around), or even a rolled bit of Blu Tack can be substituted to experiment with the effect.
Now if you loathe your Susato, this tweak won't turn it into your favorite whistle. But if you like your Susato but find it a bit unruly, the MTGuru O-ring tweak might help to tame it. For my playing taste, the increased backpressure and sweeter upper register are improvements.
Does it work with whistles other than Susatos? Maybe. My Generation type whistles show little positive effect. My Copeland D hates the O-ring. But my Burke D responds like the Susato, with more back pressure and slightly less volume. I prefer the original feel, but a friend reports he likes the O-ring on his Burke. In any case, it's a cheap, easy and reversible experiment on any whistle.
I'm interested in feedback from anyone who tries it. Enjoy!
P.S. If those photos are too dark, please let me know and I'll redo them.
OK, I promise to replace Frankenguru someday. But I ain't got much to work with.