Is this legit or a Scam?

Whistle
1

For those of you who are knowledgeable about Chris Abell whistles..

This guy claims to be an apprentice of Chris Abell. Regardless of whether or not that is true; the indirect claim he is making is that he is manufacturing whistles at the same quality of Chris Abell. Do any of you know if this claim is truthful or scam. While it certainly would go without saying they are not exact replicas. The implied claim is that quality is close if not similar.

Do any of you know if this is true or not?

Here is the link on ebay; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Irish-whistle-in-key-of-D-African-Blackwood-Brass-craftsman-made/182152975824?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D36895%26meid%3D58fd7b76552d4bf99475d4315db081c7%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D282053424359

The sellers name is gedwardhudson. :confused:

2

The sellers name is gedwardhudson

Never mind, different jedward..

3

Don’t waste your money, the whistle in the photos looks very poorly made indeed - nothing at all like Abell quality.

4

I’d never heard of Chris Abell having any apprentices. You could certainly give him a call about it. I looked at the eBay pics and my Abell D, and there are strong similarities in the construction details, of course with cheaper brass rather than silver appointments. The eBay whistle looks a bit rougher, particularly where the plug is scooped, and with a wider mouth aperture. I think you’d find just as good a whistle, better crafted, from Gene Milligan ($185) http://milliganwhistles.com/

Edit: Just saw his Delrin and Blackwood whistles in another listing. They don’t look at all well made. I’m also not a fan of so much sap inclusion in the wood chosen. He may have learned from Chris Abell, but I don’t think the student has surpassed the master.

5

Can’t speak to the legitimacy of the seller’s claims but doesn’t use spellcheck well and has some interesting other items for sale—seems to specialize in ship models and pantyhose.

Best wishes.

Steve

6

Kevin, Chris Abell has had apprentices over the years, flute maker Skip Healy got his start at Abell’s shop. Chris also had an apprentice or employee working for him when I visited the shop in…the late 90’s early 2000’s I think. I have heard he was looking for shop help on at least one other occasion since that time.

7

Thanks, Loren. It is not an unusual practice. I think Skip Healy’s level of workmanship is quite up to snuff.

8

Indeed, Skip’s work is top notch. And yeah, if one’s instruments are in demand, it’s hard to be a one person operation, so it’s nice to have help. However training new people can be tough, and not everyone is cut out for the work, which is, I suspect, what happened with the fellow offering these whistles for sale.

9

I understand the cost savings/wait time with buying used, but, if you want an Abell whistle, then buy direct and support the whistle maker rather than someone else.