Tycho,
Quite possibly the calls might have had slightly different sounds, due to the nature of their manufacture although, again quite possibly, the same might have been achieved by individual bosun's or bosun's mates 'tuning' them to make a distinctive signature. (The latter point is really speculation on my part!)
However, it would seem more likely that Nelson picked up on Tom Cleeve's 'pipe' because he was familiar with the way Cleeve blew it, ie. that he had a distinctive way of doing so.
Incidentally, the instrument itself is technically known as a 'call', a 'pipe' is the sound, or orders, given by it - although as we see the three words 'call', 'pipe' and 'whistle' are all used indiscriminantly!
I used to use one when I was in the Sea Scouts long ago!
Kester
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