Chris Abell Flute #93 African Black Wood and Sterling Silver Mechanism and Tenon Fittings

The recent changes in scale, headjoint design, and technology in manufacturing that have occurred in metal flute making can be found in the amazing craftsmanship of Chris Abell. Through the good fortune of his association with Brannen Brothers Flutemakers, Abell has been able to apply these changes to his wooden instrument and now offers 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.

By incorporating modern headjoint design into the instrument, the Abell flute produces a tone that not only articulates and responds as well as one of metal, but also delivers a full, rich tone allowing the player to feel comfortable in either small ensembles or larger orchestral settings. For those who have not played a wooden flute of this order, it must be said that the ability to taper and swell any dynamic marking is incredibly fast as is the ability to 'slide' from one note to the other producing a lyricism unparalleled in metal flute playing. It is an education to play orchestral excerpts on a flute of this material. One will discover countless possibilities of expression and new found smoothness, color, and sonority in the masterful solos of our repertoire. Patrick Gallois has been playing the Abell Flute exclusively since 1993. His performances worldwide and his recordings with Deutsche Grammophon have earned him the highest critical acclaim.

Like new condition, with synthetic Schmidt pads

Price: $11,500- Negotiable