Looking for a cheap Bnat whistle

[chaos97]

My main instrument is the uilleann pipes, and I learn most of my tunes from recordings. Many of the pipers I listen to seem to prefer the pitch of B & it becomes quite tedious having to play around with pitch-shifting software. I think it would just make things easier if I could play along with a whistle at first, just to learn, but no one seems to make whistles in Bnat.

The only one I can seem to find readily available is the susato, but at $50 it's a bit expensive. I'd like to find something under $20 if it exists. Any help?

[Podge]

Some years ago I converted a Bb Generation to B using Bill Haneman's instructions here - viewtopic.php?p=508479#p508479

It worked out quite well and should suit your purposes.

[Feadoggie]

I think it would just make things easier if I could play along with a whistle at first, just to learn, but no one seems to make whistles in Bnat.

That's just not at all true. Most of the "big" makers sell a whistle in B natural. I know that even as a hobbyist whistle maker I get requests for a B whistle from pipers for the reason you have described. Makers such as Burke, Goldie, Bracker, just to name a few, all offer a B whistle. Basically if you make whistles and talk to pipers you will end up designing a B nat whistle.

The only one I can seem to find readily available is the susato, but at $50 it's a bit expensive.

It's all relative. Right? $50 might seem like a lot for a simple instrument. But... How much did your pipes cost? They play the same tunes. Don't they?

I'd like to find something under $20 if it exists. Any help?

Sure. As Podge has pointed out you can whittle down a Gen Bb to play in B. And in my experience that is the standard solution to your request. The request for a cheap B whistle from pipers is common enough that the instructions for making one have been posted in the "Tweaks" thread which is a sticky topic at the top of this board. We've also cataloged the other whistles that can be made with a similar process for other keys.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=39238&start=60

Of course you can also make your own bespoke whistle starting more or less from scratch. You have a few options there. You can make the B tube for either a C whistle head (Gen/Feadog/Waltons/etc.) or make a B nat tube for a Gen Bb head from scratch too. Links with those dimensions are also given in that post in the "Tweaks" thread.

Another quick and easy method is to make a Low-Tech whistle following the excellent instructions provided by Dr. Guido Gonzato on his website. If you do not have a pipe similar to the specs (Euro zone materials) given on GG's site you would have to re-calculate the hole positions/sizes for the pipe you have available. Let us know if you need links to tone hole calculators.

http://www.ggwhistles.com/howto/



Hope that helps.

Feadoggie

[Mr.Gumby]

It's all relative. Right? $50 might seem like a lot for a simple instrument. But... How much did your pipes cost? They play the same tunes. Don't they?

That old saw is trotted out here so often. Ah sure a 500 or so whistle, it's cheaper than a cello isn't it? It doesn't fly. Not in a million years. A whistle takes a few hours to make at best and an injection moulded one from a production line like the susato in question much less so. A set of pipes will have had someone working on it for maybe 250 hours. And will offer you a tonal palette and musical options no whistle player can even dream of. Apples and oranges. Really. It just doesn't fly. Not even in a slightly tongue in cheek way.

That said, the susato B is a good option. Look out for the pipes/whistle duet CD about to be launched to hear how well it works.

[gariwerd]

I have a Jerry Freeman Bnat and am very pleased with it. Price is excellent.

[Feadoggie]

That old saw is trotted out here so often. Ah sure a 500 or so whistle, it's cheaper than a cello isn't it? It doesn't fly. Not in a million years. A whistle takes a few hours to make at best and an injection moulded one from a production line like the susato in question much less so.

Peter, I am not trying to start an argument. You have your perspective and I have mine. Let's disagree.

A whistle, at its best, takes much longer than a few hours to make. I've done my own calculations but that's not the point here. Sure I could knock out a whistle in a few hours but that would not be something I'd likely be happy with. A whistle can be made using many methods, as could pipes. A maker of whistles frequently has the same machinery and training as a pipe maker as far as working with the materials. Brass and blackwood are as common in whistles as not. And that is a very expensive investment. It'd be nice if a whistle maker now and then could recoup those costs.

Yes, a whistle head can pop out of a mold. And yes some whistles are entirely molded. In the case of the Susato they molded body then has the holes milled into it by a cnc milling machine. The programming for that can take a good long while to get right. To design and produce a successful mold takes many, many man hours as well. It can be a long, costly and arduous process. Molds don't just pop out of 3D printers just yet. But when they do the printer will likely cost a year's wage. It is a very expensive process in the end. The fact that we get $10 whistles that work out of it is mostly a miracle I would say.

A set of pipes will have had someone working on it for maybe 250 hours. And will offer you a tonal palette and musical options no whistle player can even dream of. Apples and oranges. Really. It just doesn't fly. Not even in a slightly tongue in cheek way.

Yep, apples and oranges. We aren't talking about whistles costing thousands of dollars - yet. But I think the present day cost/benefit ratios between the two instruments still works out.

It's all relative.

Feadoggie

[Mr.Gumby]

I am not particularly interested in an argument to be honest. This too is an subject I have been over a few times in the past decade or so I have been here and I am not planning on fleshing the whole thing out again. But this whole 'it's cheaper than a piano' malarkey is such a recurrent thing and nine out of ten times you shrug it off but the tenth time you may think ' ofcourse item B is more expensive, it's infinitely more complex to make so will you give it a rest yet?'.


I can't help thinking of this:

My idea was to make as consistent a whistle as possible while staying with
the original design and sound and concept of a cheap penny whistle. I also had
in mind the cost of the whistle. If it took all day to make then that would
be a very expensive whistle. So a simple design was also important to me.

And compare it to the many, many hours I have spent in pipemakers' workshops.

But I'll happily agree to disagree.

[megapop]

The only one I can seem to find readily available is the susato, but at $50 it's a bit expensive. I'd like to find something under $20 if it exists.

I think the second sentence makes it very clear that

It's all relative.

Right? So why argue that $50 may be relatively inexpensive (compared to pipes, if you like) when it's apparently too expensive relative to their explicitly stated demand?

Oh well. Personally, I consider the cheapness a constitutive part of the charm of the whistle... but then again I also keep calling it *tin*whistle, hehe. So I'd second the suggestion to just modify a Gen Bb. (Admittedly, I haven't done this yet... but it seems the obvious solution to me. Generation is the alpha and omega! )

[ytliek]

I'd like to find something under $20 if it exists. Any help?

Good luck with that, and please let us know what you find.

[An Draighean]

Personally, I consider the cheapness a constitutive part of the charm of the whistle... but then again I also keep calling it *tin*whistle, hehe.

Me too. Until about a week ago I have never paid more than a couple of quid for a whistle (Clarkes, Generations, and a single Hohner).

[chaos97]

I think I will just try the susato. Thinking about it, many of the players are a bit more between the pitches, so the adjustable top may be worth it. I looked around for the Freeman whistles, but still don't see any in B. The susato isn't THAT much, I was just curious if there were other options. Thank you for the help.

Peter:
I'm sure that if a pipe and whistle album comes out, I'll hear about it - And I'll be sure to pick it up!

[Peter Duggan]

I'm not even sure quite how to respond.

Perhaps that depends how you read Feadoggie's post?

From the very first sentence you'd think I had offended you.

Because I thought (and still do after a second reading) that he was taking some trouble to help you! And wouldn't have listed all those helpful options had his intention been to offend...

[Peccary]

Hello Chaos, my opinion for what's it's worth (I'm a very modest player) go for the Susato it's a surprisingly good whistle. Last year I was looking for a loudish Bb that could be played outdoors, after some research on here Susato seemed the best choice. When I looked on Big Whistle the Susato Bb M Series was £48.00 but the Susato B S Series was only £34.00 (presumably the narrower bore accounts for the lower price) I bought the B to save a few bob and I've been delighted with it, easily one of my favourite whistles.

PS: I've since picked up a used Susato Bb M Series off Ebay and (in my opinion) it's not very nice, that different bore seems to make a lot of difference (not that this is of interest as you're not looking for a Bb)

[benhall.1]

just because of how rude it came across (maybe it's misinterpreted?).

Yes, you misinterpreted. And how. Looks deliberate to me. But maybe I've misinterpreted you.

I wonder how off putting this 'community' could be for a beginner with thin skin.

Only if you deliberately take offence where clearly none was intended. Next time, if you feel that someone is setting out to offend you, please can I suggest that you do the following:

1) Read the post again, and think carefully whether offence was intended
2) If you think it was, complain to the poster - privately
3) If you get no joy, bring it to the attention of the Mods.

Mod.

[Tommy]

I'd like to find something under $20 if it exists. Any help?

I have tweaked Generation Bb whistles available and would be glad to change one to a Generation B for $20.00 plus mailing. Send me a PM if interested.