Making a D whistle into an Eb whistle

[Flywhistler]

If I wanted to make a D whistle into an Eb whistle, would it be enough to simply shorten the tube from the mouthpiece end, or would I need to do more than that?

[Mr.Gumby]

No, you will need to shorten from both ends.

But why not just get a spare Eb body?

[Flywhistler]

No, you will need to shorten from both ends.

But why not just get a spare Eb body?

Good point. I have tried an Oak mouthpiece on a Generation Eb tube, and it works quite well. I would like to increase the tuning range by making it sharper. Do I still need to shorten both ends?

[pancelticpiper]

For Eb I just used a Generation Eb body on a D head I liked.

But I did chop a Generation C to make C# and a Bb to make B natural, and the same process would work to turn a D into an Eb.

Having no measurements to go by, it was a trial-and-error thing.

I think the order is important:

1) chop the top of the tube until the notes emitting from Holes 2, 3, and 4 are in tune to the new target pitch. (B, A, and G if using a D whistle as reference for naming.)

2) chop the bottom until Bottom D and Middle D are in tune to the new pitch.

3) carve out Hole 6 until E is in tune.

4) carve out Hole 5 until F# is in tune.

You go Bellnote > Hole 6 > Hole 5 because each has an influence on the pitch of the next.