Bass/Baritone Bb Whistles

bdh · Post by **bdh** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:08 am

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.

arnie · Post by **arnie** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:32 am

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!

Jens_Hoppe · Post by **Jens_Hoppe** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:53 am

arnie wrote:Recently I read in a thread that the Overtons are the only ones, But John Sindt makes them,

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).

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:06 am

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.

Celtic983 · Post by **Celtic983** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:42 am

. I believe Alba makes them ...but you have to contact Stacy (whistle is not listed on the alba site)

tubafor · Post by **tubafor** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:53 am

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.

bdh · Post by **bdh** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:41 am

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.

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:10 am

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.

Brigitte · Post by **Brigitte** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:18 pm

Unseen122 wrote: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

bdh · Post by **bdh** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:41 pm

Unseen122 wrote: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.

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:
1. Mack Hoover is going to experiment and get back to me.
2. Michael from Susato has suggested that while a Low Low Bb is something that they might consider in the future, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon.
3. Have sent an email to Daniel @ Jubilee.

Are there any other makers willing to have a go?

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:56 pm

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.)

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:55 pm

Bloomfield wrote: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?

Talbert St. Claire · Post by **Talbert St. Claire** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:23 pm

I have it

!!

Talbert St. Claire

King Friday · Post by **King Friday** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:24 pm

Those bass G's are outrageous! I think it would be really cool though cause nobody would know what the heck your playing.

bdh · Post by **bdh** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:56 pm

Update:
1. Mack has improvised his low C mouthpiece on a 30" tube to get a baritone Bb note.
2. Daniel can make whistles in baritone Bb for the same price as his low C.