I know these are two high-end whistles that don’t appear on the pre-owned market all that often, but I’ve decided to sell my Alba Soprano D (which is a lovely whistle…just a bit too strong for the sessions I attend).
I want something a bit more mellow sounding to go along with the tame, quiet sessions I attend, and I think a wooden Abell or an O’Riordan might be just what I need.
Anybody have an Abell or an O’Riordan they’re looking to sell? I’ve contacted “Willy” who has a for sale thread for his O’Riordan, but I haven’t heard anything back. Is O’Riordan taking orders again, or is he still in a holding pattern?
Yes, I was going to say … Every Abell I’ve heard in sessions has been pretty much a session blaster - loud and aggressive, big sound. Doesn’t seem to fit the mellow / quiet / tame description at all.
A Gen type whistle has more than enough small session volume. Why spend hundreds when $10 gets you the right tool with the right sound? It’s what I use when I want to keep my session volume down. Or nowadays my Sindt, which is also well behaved.
…it may not be exactly what the OP is looking for as it says in the listing “This is a small whistle in the key of F. This is high F, but truly wonderfully woody sounding.” Still it could be perfect for high pitched sessions.
I actually live close to Chris, and sometimes he has whistles for sale without a wait. I think the last time I checked, he had one in Pink Ivory ready to sell, but he might have already sold it though. It is worth checking into; it is a beautiful whistle with a great tone.
That’s pretty much what I was thinking too. O’Riordan has made whistles that would fit the description. I think Pat called it the Wilderness model (I could be wrong) but a small bore tweeter none the less. The Concert and Traveler models aren’t exactly demur session whistles, IMHO. I’d go with a Gen, old Feadog or Sindt just as MTGuru suggests.
I’m wondering the same thing. My Abell high D is one of my louder whistles and definitely holds its own in our moderate-to-large, often loud sessions. It’s a wonderful whistle in those settings or on stage with the band but as MTGuru pointed out, it’s a bit strong for small, tame sessions and can easily dominate. Not only are Abells inherently loud, they project very well. Experienced players can tame them down somewhat, but requires some doing.
One of the other whistle players in our band plays O’Riordans and they have good volume as well, although not the volume of an Abell…not to mention they’re next to impossible to find and rather costly IF you do find one.
Again, I agree with MT that for small quiet sessions, why spend a ton of $ when there are other whistles that can fit your needs nicely. But if you want a higher end whistle that’s sweet and mellow that’ll fit in with quiet sessions and easy to get, you might consider a Burke narrow bore brass. Lovely whistle.
My O’Brien Stowaway has a very lovely and rather subdued sound. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that it’s the only whistle I own where I can play a second octave B and not wake the dog. It’s also great fun to make a bit of a show out of extending it to playing length. I agree with MTGuru that the Sindt’s can be played in polite company without giving offense.
I think the Abell D is only moderately loud, louder than a Sindt but not
one of the loud whistles (e.g. Copelands, Chieftains, Overtons). My PVC water weasel
is louder. Wood tends to soften the edge as well. I think the Abell is a good deal
less loud than the Susato.
I think Abells are well worth owning, but i agree that if one wants something
quiet, one might as well buy a Jerry Freeman gen.
The Abell becomes a good deal less loud in keys like Bb and A.
Here’s an Abell in C. The D head fits both D and C tubes.
Of the whistles I’ve bought and traded over the past 3 years or so, I think I like the O’Riordans the most, though certainly they are not what I would call timid and not to everyone’s taste, I’m sure.
I’ve had some correspondence with Pat O’Riordan, and this is his explanation for the Wilderness whistles, for those who might be interested:
“Both are called wilderness I used to differentiate as Wilderness 1 :2’ -3 etc. but now just use the generic wilderness. The plated tubes are the original type and the black anodized Aluminum are a version of my Standard traveller whistle.”
He refers to “both” here because I happened onto two different whistles called Wilderness. The earlier one has a smaller-scale plated body with a Traveller-style short mouthpiece, and its body comes apart in the middle. The later one is anodized black with no plated rings, and comes apart in the middle, making it more portable, too - it does not have a removeable head. I would be glad to take photos if anyone would like to see them.
No need for photos. Just send me the whistle for an extended evaluation, and I’ll check it out. Mind you, this might take years and years to properly assess it’s unique characteristics.
Hmmm… not meaning to cast stones but just a personal observation, according to studio recording levels and simply listening, my Abell D is a bit louder than my Susato with noticeably better projection in the second octave and high end. One of the guys in our session group plays a Susato and the Abell is louder. Again, only a personal observation. My Abell is very focused and clear with excellent volume…my most used high D with the band and in session, hands down. Guess I got an exceptional one.
Well, there are newer Susatos with narrower bores. Maybe
this is one of them? I’ve played new Susatos in
D that were quieter.
I really couldn’t deal with the old D Susato, the top of the
second octave was too loud for me. I’ve used the old
C Susato for years, busking on the street. I think
that’s the best C whistle I know, except maybe for the
Abell, but it’s maybe ten years old. Also louder
than the Abell C. I like the new Susatos in C
less well.
I’m surprised and rather pleased to hear the Abell D
described as a session-blaster.
I’ll see if I can record something on the Abell D,
there doesn’t seem to be much ITM on these
on Youtube.
I do think the Abell whistles, all of the keys I’ve played,
are wonderful. I prefer blackwood to delrin.
I have a Greenwood high D and C made from English Boxwood that I will be selling. I never play them because I’m not that into high D’s. I prefer the mid range whistles starting with A.
That link takes any person who has a YouTube account to their own videos page. However, I was able to find the video you just posted.
So yeah, the Abell D has a GREAT sound to it. And for what it’s worth, I still think it’s significantly quieter than my Alba Soprano D. The Albas are tremendous whistles, but they are among some of the loudest (I think) – especially in the higher octave. But that’s great for when you need to be heard.
Anyhow, I’m just looking for a more mellow, traditional sounding wooden whistle. I’m looking at the Busmans and the “new kid on the block,” Mr. Milligan.
It’s also great fun to make a bit of a show out of extending it to playing length. I agree with MTGuru that the Sindt’s can be played in polite company without giving offense.
