Good Bb Whistles?

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:34 pm

I do like my Alba Bb, but it takes air.

Byll · Post by **Byll** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:43 pm

Mike Burke makes fine Bb whistles in a number of different flavors.
Best.
Byll

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:19 pm

I also like the Irvine tweaked Generation Bb. Very mellow.

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:04 pm

Byll wrote:Mike Burke makes fine Bb whistles in a number of different flavors.
Best.
Byll

Ditto. My pretty new Burke Brass Bb is a hell of a whistle. Mellow tone that can project (I play it in the Jazz ensemble in my school), it isn't loud, but it can hold its own. Strong low note, it is the only whistle I can't easily overblow the low note on. Sweet sounding upper octave, it is never shrill. Pure, sweet tone with a touch of roughness to give it a character all its own. Overall, it probably has every thing I have looked for in a Whistle, and not just a Bb whistle.

Scott McCallister · Post by **Scott McCallister** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:14 pm

I'll second (or third or whatever the count is up to now) a vote for Susatos.. I have also heard a stunnign copeland Bb. Lots of that was the player though, but still, he definately knew he had a great whistle.

Bretton · Post by **Bretton** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:17 pm

Doc Jones wrote:In addition to those mentioned above...the Bb Water Weasel is very nice.

Doc

I'll second that. My Bb Water Weasel was one of the best Bb's I've had.
I also had a B-natural Susato that was quite good...not sure if the Bb would be similar, or not.

-Brett

King Friday · Post by **King Friday** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:38 pm

My only un-tweaked Generation is the Bb. It's really good

Adrian · Post by **Adrian** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:21 pm

Unseen122 wrote: Ditto. My pretty new Burke Brass Bb is a hell of a whistle. Mellow tone that can project (I play it in the Jazz ensemble in my school), it isn't loud, but it can hold its own. Strong low note, it is the only whistle I can't easily overblow the low note on. Sweet sounding upper octave, it is never shrill. Pure, sweet tone with a touch of roughness to give it a character all its own. Overall, it probably has every thing I have looked for in a Whistle, and not just a Bb whistle.

I wish you hadn't said that [reaching for credit card]

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:28 am

Scott McCallister wrote:I'll second (or third or whatever the count is up to now) a vote for Susatos.. I have also heard a stunnign copeland Bb. Lots of that was the player though, but still, he definately knew he had a great whistle.

Ok, because I'm such a big baby, last night after reading this I took out all my Bflats and my Edirol and recorded and played back the same respective air, jig, slide on each. Not real good test, since some whistles need more warming up, etc. The whistles were Abell (blackwood), Copeland, Burke (black tip brass), WW, Susato, Silkstone PVC, Syn, Gen (brass). Differences in tonal qualities were insignificant when played by the same player. Yes, the high-enders did have better overall richness of tone as compared to the Gen. The Syn and the Silkstone were a bit weaker in the low end than the others. The Abell had a bit more air throughout. The Copeland took more air and had a reedy tone and has along with the WW the greatest volume. The Burke was focused and pure and moderate in volume. The WW is big and round and I play it with piper's grip due to the relative size of the tone holes. The Susato has an almost pinched edgy quality to it, like strings instead of wind. They all play well and easily, making selection a matter of personal taste.

Nothing you guys don't already know, but once in a while I have to reaffirm it for myself.

Philo

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:52 am

I have one absolutely outstanding Bb—a Bernard-made Overton. It's beautifully balanced across the octaves and has that distinctively Overton complexity of tone. It's also very responsive. I don't have a problem playing it but I am an Overton freak and others might find the heft required a bit daunting.

I have two very good but less than stunning Bbs, an Abell and a Sindt. I also have very acceptable tweaked and untweaked Gens and a Susato.

I've not tried Bbs by several of my favourite makers—Humphrey, Burke, Copeland. I can't imagine that these would disappoint.

XDVarenkor · Post by **XDVarenkor** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:27 am

Congratulations wrote:
Adrian wrote:Susato.
Now that you mention it, I always liked my Susato Bb best of all of them. I had the D/C/Bb set.

Same, same. Plus with Susato you can try the small bore Bb and the medium bore Bb - which have very different tones and playing characters.

Kame · Post by **Kame** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:35 pm

I have a susato large bore. I believe it's called the kildare. It sounds sweet and is not ear piercing compared to my susato D and C. Great whistle for recording and playing gigs. Cheap!!

ermio · Post by **ermio** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 11:58 pm

I have both Bb Generation and Freeman Tweaked BbGeneration, both of them are great.

And the sound of this key... it's wonderful!!

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:08 am

The only problem I find with the tweaked Gen Bb is that it takes a lot of push to get a decent high end. And it sounds a bit muffled, according to my wife. So I'm looking at the Burkes, and a used Chieftan. Is there a difference in the hole spacing from the Gen (not to sound too dumb)?
And is the bottom hole in the Bb closer or farther from the next hole up than an B whistle--or an A?
It is okay for me to ask this since you'll never meet me in person and that gives me permission to be stupid.

LadyDi · Post by **LadyDi** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:58 am

I got Ro3b a Burke Bb for his birthday last week. Mr. Burke shipped the instrument to me and I delivered it to Ro3b slightly used

I love his whistles, though, all keys. The Bb especially is mellow and heavy in your hand.