Best inexpensive Bb?

garycrosby · Post by **garycrosby** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 1:33 pm

My wife picked me up a cheap bamboo Bb whistle in Maui and I really it - its not as shrill as a D whistle and its way easy to play. Surprisingly, my bamboo Bb is fairly well-tuned but the upper octave (especially) B-A-G) is *very* weak so I want to get another Bb. I don't play in sessions (because I'm too crappy and I'm too gutless to do it anyway) but I would like a nice Bb for playing Scottish music so I would prefer a whistle that leans towards the quiet side. Any suggestions on a decent, reasonably-priced Bb would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

adrianh · Post by **adrianh** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 1:37 pm

I have a Generation and am very impressed. Got the nickel one and it sounds lovely and soft.

Only cost me £5, which I suppose would be about $8 for you.

Hope this helps some

A
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PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 1:51 pm

I agree that Generation Bflat is an excellent cheap choice. I have one in brass and one in nickle. Philo

Bretton · Post by **Bretton** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 2:09 pm

I've got a Generation Bb as well that's not too bad (nickle). -brett

jmssmh · Post by **jmssmh** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 2:16 pm

I have a brass Generation B flat(infact I have four). I added the sticky tac to the fipple cavity and they all sound great.

Joe

Flywhistler · Post by **Flywhistler** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 4:28 pm

I've only played two makes of Bflat whistle, but I consider my Generation Bflat an excellent whistle. I also performed the sticky tack tweak.

garycrosby · Post by **garycrosby** » Sat Oct 13, 2001 11:46 am

Thank-you all for your suggestion of the Generation Bb!

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Mon Oct 15, 2001 1:47 pm

Well, I guess I'm gonna be the guy to suggest something different.

I love my Shaw Bb. Yeah, it is breathy (lovely) and takes a huge amount of air (gasp, wheeze!), but I believe it is well worth the price and drawbacks. It also looks great!

My dad plays a nickel Generation (the whistle that got me interested in playing in the first place) and I prefer the Shaw. Still, I am also learning bagpipes, so I don't mind really puffing into it. I actually don't like whistles with low breath requirements. I always squeak them.

Still, my dad's Gen Bb is a fine and lovely instrument, too. Can't knock it a bit.

-Patrick

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Mon Oct 15, 2001 2:18 pm

Finally,

A fellow Shaw lover

I don't have the Bb, but I love my D and C.

Erik

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Mon Oct 15, 2001 4:36 pm

I also have a D. I love it for slow airs. I prefer a Clarke original for my primary whistle, since it seems more responsive when playing faster. But I often think about adding a Shaw low D to my collection. That breathy, slightly fuzzy sound is just so great, it would have to be almost sensual in a low whistle.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Yep, there's another Shaw puffer on the board! And I'd even suggest the Bb for a "reach-for" Bb whistle. I haven't wanted another one in that key, while I have several on the "I want" list for other keys.

-Patrick

chas · Post by **chas** » Wed Oct 17, 2001 5:45 am

I also have a Generation Bb and am really impressed with it. I only own three Generations, the other two being the high F and G, that I've only seen by Generation.

A question about Shaw whistles: I have played a low-D, and the sound is remarkable -- that breathy, far-away sound that's perfect in a low whistle. However, the C-natural needed four holes covered, and I couldn't get any vibrato out of it by covering unused holes. Is that universal in Shaws, or is it a moderate problem in higher whistles that increases with larger ones?

Charlie

dgardner · Post by **dgardner** » Wed Oct 17, 2001 12:15 pm

what is the sticky tac tweak?...dg

garycrosby · Post by **garycrosby** » Wed Oct 17, 2001 2:23 pm

How about the Hoover CPVC Bb - anyone have an opinion on that?

Brian Lee · Post by **Brian Lee** » Wed Oct 17, 2001 4:41 pm

The Hoover?

If you don't GOT one...

GET one!

It's very quiet, and no need to tweek. I own a Generation as well, and it's a fine whistle, but compared to Mack's work, I'd go with the CPVC myself.

I now have a great little collection of Mack's whis in D, A and G, and I love them all. His Bb's I played at the Celtic Festival in Sept. were spot on in tune, and had a well balanced tone from one octave to the next. My Generation isn't that well balanced.

Give Macka call...he can answer any specifics you might have...

B~

mysusato · Post by **mysusato** » Sun Oct 21, 2001 4:34 pm

Definitely the Hoover PVC. Sweet tone. Changes octaves smoothly. Great response for a PVC whistle.