Susatos

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:03 pm

Vote!

MarkB · Post by **MarkB** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:07 pm

It's Vote...please!

I only had two Susatos, C and a D, didn't like either of them. I found that they broke in the second octave and no matter how I tried to control my breath, they just wouldn't do it.

Never bought another one.

MarkB

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:16 pm

Susatos are one of those subjects that come up again from time to time on the boards.

I'd like to share a true story:

There is a very talented whistler (and fellow Chiffer) who once asked me to try one of my Susatos in a session. They don't get much session play; I usually have one or two Burkes with me and my flute and that's about it.

She played through a tune on it, put it down with a somewhat surprised look on her face, looked at me, and said "But that sounds nice....!"

I think that nicely summaries my feelings on Susato whistles and their reputation on the boards.

--James

tin tin · Post by **tin tin** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:22 pm

I think Susatos have their keys and their applications where they're quite good. I don't own any now (have in the past), but I don't hate them. (I do find them a bit loud, and I don't like the characteristic hrrrrring.) Interestingly, they make great quiet practice whistles...put some silly putty across the ramp and play with it until you find the desired tone and volume (both of which are quite variable). I don't find this trick to be as effective with other whistles.

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:23 pm

I like them very much after I tweak them. They are great, but have three things wrong with them before I tweak them: They are poorly balanced (top is much louder than the bottom), they don't have a nice sound, and they are too loud overall.

PJ · Post by PJ » Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:24 pm

I don't like the sound of them and when I play them, I find it hard to adjust the amount of air required for the second octave (I've played a few sop D). I grew up playing Generation whistles, so I'm probably just too used to them. I've friends who learned on Susatos and who wouldn't touch a Generation. It's all down to what you're used to.

jsluder · Post by **jsluder** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:31 pm

I voted "other", 'cause I've never played (or even heard someone else play) a Susato. I live a sheltered life. :roll:

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:00 pm

I also find the thumb rest to be...a little bit strange on high whistles. I don't love them but I just kinda have always wondered what they're for. I can understand their place on a lower heavier whistle, but not the higher keys.

barstool · Post by **barstool** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:06 pm

sorta love them .... I guess that means I like them.

I find that when I got to irish music festivals that I see and hear more susato's then any other whistles. They sound great outside when played with other instruments, by players much better then me, not too load or not too quiet.

I like mine. My wife doesn't she says they are too load for indoor playing. I agree with this assessment.

~B

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:16 pm

Tone and balance of the D, Eflat is totally awful. C and especially B are quite bearable though (still prefer my Sindt B by a mile, and the Generation C) .

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:21 pm

Bloomfield wrote:I like them very much after I tweak them. They are great, but have three things wrong with them before I tweak them: They are poorly balanced (top is much louder than the bottom), they don't have a nice sound, and they are too loud overall.

I take it, then, that you tweak them by melting them down and starting over from scratch?

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:25 pm

The damn things are consistent as hell from the factory, and they're in tune.

I hate playing anything above the second octave g because they're so unbalanced and loud.

Jan Erik · Post by **Jan Erik** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:31 pm

I love my Davy Spillane Improved Susato!

khl · Post by **khl** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:41 pm

I voted that I loved Susatos, though if there was a category for love them mostly I would have chosen that. 'Sort of love them' didn't quite match what I think about them.

For my neighbors' sake I wish I hadn't started my first forays into the world of whistling with a Susato. They are loud and my many mistakes (sqwuaks, screeches, etc.) could easily have been audible and annoying. All in all, I find them very responsive, though rather unforgiving if a mistake is made in air volume/breath pressure.

That said, however, I really like my Susatos. There may be some (say a Clarkes Original) that I like better among the less expensive whistles, but these are still good. I have Eb,D,C, Bb and a low A. I probably like the Low A and the Bb most. The Eb is also fun and bright.

Susatos do have a unique sound that (apparently) folks either like or not. I like it.

khl · Post by **khl** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:53 pm

I like them very much after I tweak them.

Bloomfield (or others), I'd be interested to know what you do to tweak Susatos. Have you written it up somewhere?

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