Does the friend know you’re buying it? Because I’d not thank anyone for just presenting me with a whistle not of my choice, and especially if it cost a significant amount.
Another way of saying that might be that a whistle (or any musical instrument) for an intermediate or advanced player tends to be a rather personal choice. While the thought may be received with gratitude, the whistle would be most appreciated if it is a good fit for the player’s skills and preferences. Maybe a “gift certificate”?
Yes, exactly. Or they might not need/want it at all (we don’t all suffer from incurable ‘WHOAD’). Perhaps the OP’s friend has actually asked for one but doesn’t know what they want (?), but beware potentially significant pitfalls in surprise!
How about one of those new Generation Boho whistles? Of course Generations are always a bit hit and miss, but if it turns out to be not so good it’s still a nice gimmick. Also it’s cheap.
And geesh, you folks are ungrateful . If someone got me a whistle I’d just say thanks and I’d play it, regardless of what it was. It’s the thought that counts, anyway.
‘I’d not thank anyone’ or ‘I wouldn’t thank you’ are basically figures of speech. If you bought me a whistle I didn’t want/like/rate, of course I’d thank you… and try it, probably give you a quick tootle if you were there and try to say something vaguely positive about it, then spend the next x months/years dealing with awkward questions about how I’m liking it…
I tend to agree with the above sentiments. Perhaps get them a nice travel case for their whistles; those tend to be a lot less personal. Throw in a case of beer and it’s a gift I can fully support.