Bob - this is question I ask myself (in fact every time I pick up my Chieftan LOW D whistle) Why can't they position the furthest hole from the fipple around the tube approx 0.5-1.0 inch nearer the small finger of my right hand. I would be interested to know if this is technically feasible (I know you can put the hole there but would it still sound the same?) I have made a few wooden LOW D's but after I have sweated turning them out in decent wood I havn't dared putting the holes anywhere other than the conventional in-line positions. If it IS possible then taking the price of £75 (UK Pounds) for the Chieftan LOW D for what is basically a bit of alloy tube with holes in it (and not particularily well finished holes/tube at that)they damn wel OUGHT to provide this alternative. It's not as if it is any more work really - just rotate the tube 0.5-1 in in the jig and drill the same hole! I would be interested in the layouts you have tried in this respect. Bev Lawton