Our Description
Chris Abell's aim in flute-making is to produce instruments with a dark rich tone that only wood can give. Having worked at the famous Brannen Brothers workshop for many years, he has incorporated the best features of modern flute-making with the traditional sound of wood flutes; and he could be said to have started the Renaissance of the modern Boehm wood flute. Of the wood flutes produced today, no other has a sound like an Abell flute. You can hear the sound of the Abell flute on Patrick Gallois recordings from 1993.
Abell Headjoints
There is a choice of two distinct headjoint cuts: Standard and Oval:
StandardThis model has a rectangular shape and is modern in its design and response. It speaks easily through the full range of the flute and produces a bright, open sound. This style is designed to play comfortably in large ensembles and orchestral work, though it is not limited only to those venues.
Oval The Oval model has a slightly smaller, elliptical shaped ambouchure and is designed especially for small ensemble and chamber music where a more intimate sound is required. This cut also plays easily across the full range of the flute and produces a very clear, centered tone with an especially dark and pungent quality in the lower registers.
Please note The waiting list for an Abell flute is approximately only 6 months from date of order, and we can provide you with a selection of headjoints. A price is available on request; we do not quote for this flute online as the price depends on the US$ exchange rate, which fluctuates daily.
About Abell Flutes
Although many fine wooden flutes have been produced in the past, the recent changes in scale, headjoint design, and technology in manufacturing that have occurred in metal flute making have left these earlier wooden instruments practically obsolete. With Chris Abell’s association with Brannen , he has been able to apply those changes to the wooden instrument and can now offer a flute which includes the current standards of pitch, keywork action, intonation, and fluid tone production with the added attribute of the dark, pungent timbre found in wood. Chris Abell’s flutes and headjoints command a great respect from the flute community for their large range of tonal qualities and handcrafted design.
Specifications
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- Fully handmade grenadilla-wood headjoint and body
- Fully handmade .925 solid keys
- Hand undercut tone holes
- Available with closed holes or open holes
- Split E mechanism (or optional E ring on RBO model)
- Available with C footjoint or B footjoint
- Thickwall headjoint, available in two cuts: "Standard" or "Oval" - see below
- Includes leather-covered wood case, case cover and cleaning accessories
