B natural wood whistles?

[PJ]

Is anyone making B natural whistles (not Low/Bass whistles)?

Any suggestions for a mid-range (i.e. less than $200) B natural whistle, preferably in wood?

[Adrian]

I bet Tommy would make you one.

[BigDavy]

Hi PJ

If you are talking $200, then getting a full Syn set from Erle Bartlett might be the way to go. I know they are metal, not wood, but you cover most of the high whistle bases with it, and the B body sounds lovely.

David

[pipsqueak]

This guy makes beautiful wooden whistles in any key: http://www.harjedalspipan.se/index01.asp

The english version of the web site isn't good, but mail adress and other contact info is valid. Price might exceed $200 a bit, but probably not all that much.

[Doc Jones]

Mike Burke makes a B natural composite I believe. The composites are quite "woody".

I don't know of any maker making a wooden B. You could try talking someone into it. Your best bet would be someone working in the lower keys already. Chris Abell makes Bb and A and could do it if he wanted to. Hmmm...trying to think of anyone else working that low...Phil Bleasey does. Who else?

Doc

[Ballyshannon]

One of the guys in our band has Burke composite and brass B naturals. As Doc mentioned, the composite definitely has a "woodier" sound and overall a nice whistle, but in the band mix we prefer the brass.

I have a Susato B nat and is actually quite nice, although certainly doesn't have a woody sound.

[chas]

I had a Bnat Burke composite. I agree it's a great whistle, and very woody sounding. I used to love playing it along with the Brahms B natural trio.

Now you have me wondering if someone would make me a B flute.

[syn whistles]

Hi PJ

If you are talking $200, then getting a full Syn set from Erle Bartlett might be the way to go. I know they are metal, not wood, but you cover most of the high whistle bases with it, and the B body sounds lovely.

David

A wooden B is no problem either, but you don't get any change out of $200.
cheers, Erle.

[BigDavy]

Hi Erle

Your full whistle sets are lovely and very convenient and appear to be breeding around here
The whistle player who plays for me in competitions just got his set (saves him borrowing mine) and is enjoying every minute. BTW the B body is what he plays in competition and it is ever so nicer than listening to back to back D whistles.

David

[Doc Jones]

I had a Bnat Burke composite. I agree it's a great whistle, and very woody sounding. I used to love playing it along with the Brahms B natural trio.

Now you have me wondering if someone would make me a B flute.

Terry McGee has made some B flutes. You might ask him.

Doc

[Mitch]

I just added B-nat to my offering. It's worked-out well.
Gidgee/bronze, African blackwood/sterling or Cocobolo/brass.
(Edited to say: B-nat is a magical key - get one from wherever you can - just for you )

[Doc Jones]

... B-nat is a magical key - get one from wherever you can - just for you )

Got to agree with that. B natural might be my favorite key. I often grab my B over all others for personal tooting. E nat is another personal favorite.

Doc

[syn whistles]

Hi Erle

Your full whistle sets are lovely and very convenient and appear to be breeding around here
The whistle player who plays for me in competitions just got his set (saves him borrowing mine) and is enjoying every minute. BTW the B body is what he plays in competition and it is ever so nicer than listening to back to back D whistles.

David

Thanks, Big Davy.

[NicoMoreno]

John Gallagher is working on making an eight-key B flute. A little closer to the Americans than Terry McGee. Also, I think it might be the first 8-keyed B flute out there!

I agree that the B Syn whistle is the best of the bunch. No offense to Erle, but in my opinion it's really the only one of the bunch that works properly. The C isn't too distant of a second, although it might be tied with the Bb...