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Catalog > Wind Instruments > Plastic Whistles updated January 1, 2012

    Susato -- ABS Whistles and Tabor Pipes (this page)

    Tony Dixon -- PVC flutes and whistles (separate page)

    Susato Whistles

    Susato whistles are designed by George Kelischek and manufactured in Brasstown, North Carolina. Susato whistles feature a number of innovations that add up to create a truly excellent instrument. The whistles are easy to play, with a bright and responsive sound that professional musicians prefer. Our pennywhistles are played around the world!

  • All models feature a curved wind-way which contributes to a rich, bright sound and easy overblowing into the higher octaves.
  • Different bore sizes allow for the choice of a softer or louder instrument in the same key.
  • Our Susato key system makes longer, lower voiced whistles playable without undue stretch and hand fatigue.
  • Oval tone holes are used where those are easier to cover than round holes.
  • Two-piece models with separate head and body sections.
  • Customers can purchase whistle sets more economically by choosing one head section and multiple bodies.
  • Two-piece models make transport of longer, lower pitched whistles easier.
  • Two-piece models allow pitch adjustment by pulling the joint in or out.
  • Unlike metal whistles, ABS plastic does not conduct heat as fast as metal and maintains a more stable pitch with temperature changes.
  • ABS plastic is highly durable and impervious to moisture.
  • Serrated joints on Kildare models retain joint grease much longer and allow for repeatable 'stepped' tuning changes.
  • A rubber -O- ring assures an airtight seal at the joint.
  • The adjustable 'Snappy' thumbrest contributes to secure, comfortable playing.


    • Susato Oriole Pennywhistles

    Non-adjustable whistles in the keys of high Eb, D, C and Bb. ABS black plastic. Adjustable thumb rest, fingering chart and vinyl pouch included. They can also be purchased as a set with one whistle head and 4 bodies. Extra heads and body sections are available by special order; please contact us.
    Oriole Pennywhistle -- $19.95
    Oriole Pennywhistle Set -- $52.80
    1 head, whistle bodies in all 4 keys (photo)

    Susato Kildare Pennywhistles

    Kildare models have separate head and body sections with a slightly tapered bore. Pitch can be easily adjusted by pulling jointed sections in or out as needed. ABS black plastic. Rosewood-brown available by special order; please contact us. Keys of low G and below are available with one or more keys as an option for more comfortable playing if you have smaller hands (please contact us for more information). Kildare models include a fingering chart, thumbrest, joint grease and a vinyl pouch. Whistle sets are also available within each series - one whistle head with either 3 bodies or all 5 bodies in the series. Please contact us for more information on ordering whistle sets. (For complete options, visit susato.com.)

    Kildare V Series Pennywhistle -- $42.90
    Keys of High G, F#, F, E, Eb and D
    Kildare S Series Pennywhistle -- $42.90
    Keys of High Eb, D, C#, C and B. S Series Eb and D whistles have wider bore than V-series.
    Kildare M Series Pennywhistle -- $69.90
    Keys of low Bb, A, Ab and G
    Kildare L Series Pennywhistle -- $93.90
    Keys of low F#, F, E, Eb and D

    Susato Tabor Pipes

    Three-holed pipes for one-handed playing are known in many parts of the world since Medieval times. Tabor-Pipes have two finger-holes in front and one thumb-hole in the back. The instruments are designed to be played with one hand, so that the other hand is free to play a tabor-drum, a stringed-tambour, or hurdy-gurdy. They can produce a contiguous scale of one octave and a fifth, ample range for any folktune!

    Some people manage to play two 3-hole pipes simultaneously. It is possible to play contiguous scales because the pipes are designed to allow the playing of a series of five or more harmonics, using the three tone-holes only for filling in those notes that are not part of the harmonic series. The Tabor-Pipe plays a major scale beginning with a sequence of: whole-tone, whole-tone, semi-tone.

    Oriole Tabor Pipe -- $19.95
    Non-adjustable, rosewood-brown ABS plastic. Keys of High D, C and Bb. Includes vinyl carrying pouch, fingering chart and thumb rest. Also available as a set, with one head and all three keys.
    Oriole Tabor Pipe Set -- $41.85 1 head, pipes in all 3 keys
    Garland Soprano Tabor Pipe -- $42.90
    Adjustable two-piece models in black ABS plastic (rosewood brown available by special order). Includes vinyl carrying pouch, fingering chart and thumb rest. Also available as a set, with one head and three keys. Soprano sizes are also available in the V-series (smaller bore) by special order. (Please contact us.)
    Garland Soprano Tabor Pipe Set -- $85.80 1 head, pipes in all 3 keys
    Garland Alto Tabor Pipe -- $42.90
    Adjustable two-piece models in black ABS plastic (rosewood brown available by special order). Includes vinyl carrying pouch, fingering chart and thumb rest. Also available as a set, with one head and three keys.
    Garland Alto Tabor Pipe Set -- $127.80 1 head, pipes in all 3 keys
    Companion's Five Tabor-Pipe Instruction Book by G. Kelischek -- $11.95
    With instructions for playing tabor pipe, pentacorder, pennywhistle and recorder. Includes plenty of exercises, tunes and references for advanced instruction books. 5-inch x 8.5-inch booklet, 74 pages, ring bound.