Just bought one of these and its great. Anyone else had experience of playing these monsters?
It’s my favourite by a mile.
Although I would regard myself as a newish whistler I have had a chance to try a few whistles of various makes and keys, but this is the one that I always come back to. It has a lovely breathy tone, plays so easily and just seems to fit my fingers like the proverbial glove.
Glad you also like it.
Patrick
What exactly is the difference between the Q1 and regular design? Is it mostly aesthetic or is there a noticeable difference in tone?
I have a regular high D and low D and love them.
I’ve never seen their origional range but have a look at their web page as it gives some pictures etc. From their web page - Alba Whistles has launched a sleek new design - the Q1 range. The soprano D, and all whistles below low D are available as the new Q1 model. All other whistles are available in the standard Alba design.
From what I can make out it seems that the manufacture is a bit diferent and (don’t quote me on this) the head constructions seems to be different so it may have had a bit of a makeover. Either way they are top instruments for a great price. Cheaper that the Chieftain etc and to my limited playing ability every bit as good.
I’ve yet to get hans on a lower Q-1, though one is due in my mail, but I have her regular A, and I love it!!
The thing that makes the Q-1 different is the Fipple design. Instead of the typical metal blade there is a plastic piece which is duller than the standard metal blade. Thus the whistle is quieter and sweeter in tone.
Case of if you dont know should keep quite. 
No, that blade isn’t plastic. I think in the original Q1 high D, the blade was blunt (as in not angled), though I’m not positive (I’ll go upstairs and get mine later and be sure), but the Q-1 Low that I got to try had a defininte cut slant on the blade, and on both, it is most assuredly not plastic. I suspect it’s the blue color of the blade that led you to think it was.