Big Bore Low Whistles with Close Spacing via Chimney Extenders (keys of low A, B-flat, B, C, D-flat, D, E-flat, E and F)

A true game changer in low whistles. 

At long last, people with hands of almost any size can easily play the low whistle. 

For complete information, please watch the video below.

If you wish us to require a signature for delivery, please note that in the comments field of your order.

These low whistles are easier to handle and play than any others on the market. Their very close finger hole spacing represents an immense breakthrough, enabling, at long last, those with small or compromised hands to play the low whistle, with its beautiful, flute-like sonority.

Before this model became available, many people found low whistles, especially the extremely popular low D, uncomfortable or impossible to play. Now many players, even those with larger hands (such as Grey Larsen), prefer this close-spaced low whistle for its vastly-increased ease of play which permits much more agility with ornamentation techniques and complex or rapid passages. Grey Larsen reports that he can play this low D whistle using the end-pads of all six fingers, just as he does on smaller whistles. No more need for “the pipers grip” and wide finger stretches.

Note that there is a Standard Bore version of the Carbony low D whistle which differs from these Big Bore whistles. The “Standard Bore” version has a narrower bore. It requires less air. Its high notes play more easily, and, as a trade-off, its lowest notes are quieter. Beginners on the whistle who want to play a low D whistle may find this one easily to play than the Big Bore low D whistle. Soon I will make a video that compares the two. The finger hole placement and spacing is the same with these two versions of the low D whistle.

The walls of this whistle are thick. This permits angled drilling of the finger holes, which form slanted chimneys that connect the top and bottom of each hole. These angled holes are extended into the bore by the use of small tubes – the chimney extenders.  (See diagram with the photos.) The tops of the holes – where the fingers touch – can therefore be placed very close together, as closely spaced as on a low G whistle, as you can see in the photos and the video.

The chimney extenders do not interfere with the whistle’s sound in any way. In the video (at approximately five minutes in) you can compare the sounds of standard and close-spaced Low D whistles.

For the whistles in low C and higher, you may choose close hole spacing for both hands (recommended) or for just the top or bottom hand. (Close spacing for the top hand entails a bit more cost than close spacing for the bottom hand  because it is more labor-intensive. But close spacing for both hands is the best value. You’ll see what these costs are when you select your options below.)

The Carbony pennywhistles are our favorites of the fine handmade whistles. They follow in the footsteps of the legendary, highly sought-after (and rarely available) Michael Copeland whistles, in tone, response and conical-bore shape. Due to their carbon fiber bodies, Carbony whistles are virtually indestructible. They come with a lifetime warranty.

The Carbony Big Bore Low Whistles are very satisfying to play – the high notes of the second octave speak very easily. Intonation is superb, and of course they are tunable, with their two-piece design. Each one comes with a fabric drawstring carrying pouch.

You may wish to get a thumb rest for your low whistle as well. This makes it easier to hold and support the whistle, and we highly recommend it.

The Big Bore Low Whistle comes in nine pitches: choose from low A, B-flat, B, C, D-flat, D, E-flat, E, and F. The lowest three of these (A, B-flat and B) feature a two-piece body, with an O-ring joint between the two parts of the body. All have a detachable (and tunable) mouthpiece.

The tapered design allows for rapid passage articulation and optimal volume balance in all registers. Includes anodized aluminum serialized laser engraved fipple body with ebonite tip.

Extra Thumb-Hole Options: You may choose to add a thumb hole for the top-hand thumb and/or bottom-hand thumb. The top thumb hole adds $20 to the whistle’s cost, while the bottom thumb hole adds $50. (The bottom thumb hole requires the installation of an additional chimney.) The top-hand thumb hole gives an additional and very useful way to finger the flat seventh (i.e. C-natural on a D whistle), this in addition to a cross-fingering for C. The bottom-hand thumb hole gives an easy and agile way to finger the flat third (i.e. F-natural on a D whistle), a much more practical method than using a half-hole fingering for this note. These thumb-holes also make it possible to play the Irish “roll” ornament on C-natural and F-natural (speaking in D whistle terms). F-natural strikes and finger vibrato also become possible. Note that when you are not playing C-natural and F-natural with the thumb holes, you must keep these holes closed. The top thumb hole is located behind and about halfway between the top two finger holes, while the bottom thumb hole is located behind and just above the fifth hole (i.e. the middle finger of bottom hand).