As the Tv and supermarkets are increasingly making obvious, Christmas is on the way! 
Not that I needed any reminding, as I’ve been dropping subtle and not-so-subtle hints to Mrs Q that I’d like a ‘nice’ whistle for christmas. I’m thinking of an Abell D - one of the few expensive whistles I’ve heard played on its own. Thus, I’m looking for convincing arguments in the pro expensive whistle vein.
P.S I know the waiting list will mean I wont get it until after Christmas!
I would say :
- consistency in tuning and intonation (my Abell has the most accurate tuning of all of my whistles)
- a spot on C Nat with 0xx000 fingering
- great Abell sound (do a search on youtube for James Galway at the Crystal Cathedral for a video of him playing the Lord of the Rings soundtrack on his Abell)
- very playable and forgiving with your fingering
- a magnificent instrument of wood and silver to cherish
It’s an investment???
everything Patrickh said.
Plus, I kid you not, the day my first Abell set arrived (G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F), my playing ability went from a 6 or so up to an 8 or so instantly.
A better whistle does make a better player.
(of course that’s not the only thing)
best tone I’ve ever heard in a whistle;
best playing feel;
best reaction time (forget what that’s called - ability to jump notes and have it play well);
best ease of control via breath.
Hands down a winner.
I only own ONE whistle now (I play flute and piccolo and all manner of other instruments, but only one whistle), and it’s an Abell F.
The D and the A were the two I held onto longest before going from three down to just one. With bandmates who are capable musicians and able to play in whatever key I need, I don’t need to have a host of whistles any longer.
If I ever have need for another whistle, it will definitely be an Abell.
everything Patrickh said.
Plus, I kid you not, the day my first Abell set arrived (G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F), my playing ability went from a 6 or so up to an 8 or so instantly.
A better whistle does make a better player.
(of course that’s not the only thing)
best tone I’ve ever heard in a whistle;
best playing feel;
best reaction time (forget what that’s called - ability to jump notes and have it play well);
best ease of control via breath.
Hands down a winner.
I only own ONE whistle now (I play flute and piccolo and all manner of other instruments, but only one whistle), and it’s an Abell F.
The D and the A were the two I held onto longest before going from three down to just one. With bandmates who are capable musicians and able to play in whatever key I need, I don’t need to have a host of whistles any longer.
If I ever have need for another whistle, it will definitely be an Abell.
Not that these are great clips, but go here and click on “hear samples”:
www.knotwork.info
All of the above, and it’s a lifetime investment. I’m not sure if I want to hand mine down to someone when I die, or be buried with it.
I have a C. It is lovely, and everything they said. It does have a slightly higher clog tendency than several others, but there are ways to deal with that.
In my experience, there are a handful of whistle makers who deliver a great whistle every time. Chris Abell is certainly one of them.
Get in touch with him about waiting times. If Christmas is a hard-target, sometimes Doc Jones and other reputable dealers have a few and they get sold on this board second hand from time to time.
Hope it works-out for you!
I had the opportunity to try, both an older model and a current one. What a sweet,sweet whistle. They both sang like an angel. I hope you get your Christmas wish. 
Lyn
Success
I showed my wife all of your comments and she’s agreed - so I’ve just emailed Chis Abell with my order. 
Many thanks for all of your help
Now, if I could just start a Sports Car thread 
Hmm-
Wonder if there is a similar thread over on the fishing pole board. My husband has been coming up with some pretty creative arguments for why the 12 poles & 2 downriggers he’s already got aren’t sufficient…
I have no complaints with my Abells whatsoever and I agree with the comments on their forgiving playability. They are at the louder end of the spectrum, so I’d own a quieter whistle as well for when you need that. I manage to clog all my metal whistles pretty badly, but the Abell D doesn’t clog on me.
Tony