Hi all,
I’m in love with Lúnasa’s recording of “Inion Ni Scannlain”, and so I’m keen to find out more about the bass/baritone (or “low low”) Bb whistle. I’ve been told that Sean plays an Overton/Goldie whistle for this tune. My question is are there any other whistle makers making whistles in this key?
Cheers,
Brett.
Recently I read in a thread that the Overtons are the only ones, But John Sindt makes them, Phil Hardy (Chieftain) makes them, Susato has one for the price of $39,- ( http://www.susato.com/Susatowhistles.htm ), and I my guess is that there are more. On Colin Goldie’s Overton-website there’s a picture of Colin and Bernard Overton playing a low Bb (huge instrument that is!). On the website of Sassagroves you’ll find all important makers and their website and you can find out yourself whether there are more low Bb and where to find them for what price. Succes!
Sindt?! I have never heard of Jon Sindt making Bb bass whistles, regular low A whistles (almost an octave higher!) being the lowest, as far as I know.
Phil Hardy (Chieftain) makes them, Susato has one for the price of $39,- ( > http://www.susato.com/Susatowhistles.htm > )
The Susato on that page is definitely a regular Bb whistle. The lowest being offered on that page is a low-low C whistle, priced at $139.90.
You’re right that Phil Hardy at least used to make bass Bb whistles (Chieftains) - I have one myself, as a matter of fact. Don’t know if he still makes them, though. And yes, Colin Goldie makes them too (or at least he used to).
I don’t think Phil makes them anymore - perhaps he might have a spare tube to fit on a low D if you ask him? I am sure Daniel Bingamon could make one.
. I believe Alba makes them …but you have to contact Stacy (whistle is not listed on the alba site)
Alba does indeed make them. I have a bass Bb/C set that she made me a few years ago, and it’s a good one. Totally different character than my Overton Bass A, with the one slight drawback being the Alba takes TONS of air - almost no backpressure at all. But it results in this big round low sound. I love the Overton for the character of its sound - I love the Alba for the roundness of its sound.
Potato - Po-tah-to… they’re both sweet whistles. 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I’ll do a more thorough investigation, email some of the makers, and report back with my findings. Otherwise, if there are any makers reading this I’d love to hear from you.
Cheers,
B.
FWIW, Sean doesn’t play a Low Bb he plays a regualr Bb after the bridge section and the thing you here playing at the begining is Kevin’s Bb Flute.
If you look at the credits on the album it says “Sean plays Colin Goldie Low Bflat whistle” and on that track Kevin also plays a Bflat flute. On the album you can hear also a higher pitched whistle as well as the other two. But when we have seen them play live it is only the Low Bb flute and Low Bb whistle.
Brigitte
In any event, why should the flautists get all the fun? I want to play from the beginning! 
Quick update on the Low Low Bb:
Are there any other makers willing to have a go?
Well, how many Low Bb’s do you need? I had a lovely one by Bernard Overton but let it go, keeping the low low C and the bass A. Gorgeous. (If I needed a low low Bb again, I would stick with Overton’s, whether Colin’s or Bernard’s. But then that won’t come as a surprise, I guess.)
It is in good hands. I also have a bass A too. Now where is that G? 
I have it 
!!
Talbert St. Claire
Those bass G’s are outrageous! I think it would be really cool though cause nobody would know what the heck your playing.
Update: