I just received today an Alba Q1 (formerly known as “Practice Whistle”) and also the brand-new Alba Q1 low F. I know everyone is green with envy (except, of course, Nanohedron, who is a mottled greyish-mauve with envy) and so I did not want to delay in giving you all a first impression:
Alba whistles are sexy.
Now you can play “Happy Birthday, Mr. President,” like a professional.
BSP. Stillwater, OK. In an unexpected move, WaldCo Inc., of Redhill, Oklahoma, today announced the resignation of its founder, President and Chairman, Aaron Walden, for “personal” reasons. The markets reacted sharply, as the news hit on this already tense day. Said Marmaduke Jopley, Jr., a markets analyst for Kleinstein Wasserwort, “first the 'Sox equal the series, and now this…”
WaldCo had received much positive press after its rapid rise to prominence. In the space of less than a year, WaldCo expanded from sketchy crayon marks on the back of a FruitLoops™ cereal box in Aaron Walden’s kitchen to a commercial empire, spanning most of the Southern region of the North-Eastern half of Atoka County in Oklahoma. Revenue skyrocketed. WaldCo was the poster-child for a new sort of enterprise.
But now the unrestrained dedication to the pursuit of lucre and commercial power seem to have taken its toll on the pale, charismatic figure at the head of WaldCo. To insiders there had already been signs that not all was well at corporate HQ. A sharp reminder of the frailty of the human mind came yesterday, when founder, President and Chairman, Aaron Walden, spoke at one of his frequent appereances before the press. Speaking on the subject of rising gold prices, the market for vintage flutophones, and the glut on the fipple-flute commodity futures after the recent arrival of European offerors, Walden suddenly paused with a beatific expression of tranquility on his face and said, “Now you can play “Happy Birthday, Mr. President,” like a professional.” Before he could elaborate, he was hustled off the podium by WaldCo aides. Less than twelve hours later, Walden had announced his resignation.
Sharon Ringrose, executive Vice-President of WaldCo and interims CEO, today refused to comment on Aaron Walden’s condition except to state that yesterday’s incident was “unrelated” to his resignation today. “Please note that we will continue to take steps to vigorously pursue our plans to expand our operations into Mr. and Mrs. Norman Newtworth’s backyard in the not too distant future,” she added. “You may still expect a lot of WaldCo.”
To my chagrin, I have had no more than a minute to toot my sexy new Albas. The Q1 is a charmer, wonderfully mellow and with a lovely, husky tone. Unlike any other Alba I’ve played it has a nice amount of back pressure about like a heat-tweaked Generation. And the looks are stunning. It’s not going to improve my playing, I fear, but I’d be surprised if didn’t pick up chicks at the session by bandying it about. More on it’s playing qualities later.
I am not sure whether the Q1 low F is a pre-production or production model. Stacey threw it in when she shipped my hi D Q1. It is lovely. The low F is tunable, with a thick, industrial looking tuning sleeve, which takes away a bit from the sleekness of the Q1. The sound is just wonderful, chiffy and rich and interesting. Not loud, but resonant. Scrumptious. More later.
I’m sure that when Dale coined that phrase, he did it with the best of 
intentions 
But if i ever get ma hands round his neck 
O’h an thanks waldiepoo fer bringing it up,and see that nice little whistle I was going ta gin yer fer XMAS 
WELL THATS IT JUST GOING OUT THE WIN-DER 
I’d better go stand under that window with a paper sack!
I decline to comment on the recent upheavals at this juncture, but rest assured that Waldco maintains its commitment to providing quality products and much, much, more. There is likely no cause for alarm for the people of Redhill, Atoka County, or indeed, the entire Greater Battiest Area.
So on the topic of whistles
a wee scan around the nettie to check up on whats going on with ma whistles.
The price of an Alba from some folk is truely over the top.
High D STD £79.00------ 55.00 from me
HIgh D Tuneable £95.00
Low D STD £99.00
Low D Tuneable £115.00------- 80.00
What makes me mad is for a well known make low D tuneable 145.00
The staff at the Alba all want a pay rise, saying they hav’nt had one fer so long that they canner mind ifin it wer 1 groat or 2.
All this and talk of strike’s! means that next year the price o are whistles is set ta rise.
Is there a story here I have missed?
Its OK you just go on with your nap.
We will wake you ifin any thing important happens 
Bloomfield…Is a Q1 review forthcoming?
Yes. But I want a bit more time with it, and that means: weekend. Stay tuned next week. I’ve been playing it quite a bit, btw, which will already give you and idea the review will be going. I have very little patience. 
In the meantime, there are several Q1 reviews out there already, I seem to remember…
Hold it right there…am I being out-acqisitioned? Let me get this straight. There’s a Low F tuneable version of that little “practice” whistle present I got? Other keys too?
Help,
PhilO
Check out the article in Time magazine. It misquotes me and stuff, but it’s a good article.
Hehehe. Phil, I have a whistle you don’t have. Hard to believe. Give Stacey a call… The Q1 Low F is great. More later.
Oh, and Phil: I suggest you cancel your subscription of TIME magazine. It’s really going down the drain. Now they’re suggesting that people at the helm of a ship would be holding holding reigns… too funny. But maybe they’re thinking of hyppocampi.
I hope it never reigns on my hippocampi…I have little enough grey matter left as it is…
PhilO
I second that.
