The Abell Flute Co. offers head-joints manufactured from African Blackwood and Sterling silver in two styles of embouchure design producing distinctly different tonal qualities. The Standard 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 head-joint is designed primarily to play comfortably in large ensembles and orchestral work, though it is not limited only to those venues. The Oval model has a slightly smaller, elliptical shaped embouchure and is designed especially for small ensemble and chamber music where a more intimate sound is required. This style head-joint also plays easily through the full range of the flute and produces a very clear, centered tone with an especially dark and pungent quality in the lower registers. Though the two styles have different attributes of color and response, both the Standard and Oval models can be used in a variety of different settings for many types of music; and both models will exhibit a warm, wooden sound with a complex and intriguing tonal spectrum.

The Abell Alto head-joint is manufactured from well-seasoned African Blackwood and Sterling silver and is designed to fit any 25mm bore Alto flute. The head-joint is made in a straight-style and is currently offered with one style of embouchure shape, allowing for the greatest amount of flexibility, articulation, and a broad tonal spectrum. Due to acoustic and manufacturing limitations, the Abell Flute Co. does not offer curved wooden Alto head-joints.

The Abell Simple-System head-joint is offered primarily for players in the Celtic and Gaelic music traditions and is made on a cylindrical bore (as opposed to the parabolic bore used in the Boehm-system head-joints). The Simple-system head-joints are manufactured applying the same knowledge and attention to detail used in making the Boehm-system heads; and the head-joints are designed to allow fitting to almost any Simple-system flute regardless of the age of the instrument. As with the Abell Boehm-system C-flute head-joint, the Abell Simple-system head-joint is offered with the same two styles of embouchure hole shape giving the player the option of a brighter, more open tone (Standard model) or a darker, richer tone (Oval model). Please refer to the above descriptions of the Boehm-system C-flute heads for more details about these two styles. Note: While the Abell Simple-system Head-joint alone cannot alter any possible inherent intonation or scale problems in a given Simple-system flute, it will enhance both the tonal spectrum and articulation on the instrument.

All Abell Flute Co. head-joints of both styles are designed to articulate easily throughout the entire range of the flute repertoire, yet with enough resistance and flexibility to allow the player to produce a clear, stable, and focused tone through a wide variety of colors and textures.

All head-joints are made to fit most flutes and can usually be made to fit uncommon or special instruments with no adverse effects to the response of the head-joint or the flute. To insure the best results, it is recommended that proper fitting to the customer’s instrument be done at The Abell Flute Co. with turn-around time being rarely more than a few days. Note: The outside diameter of the Abell Boehm-system C-flute head-joint is larger than standard metal head-joints and will not fit into the head-joint slot in flute cases designed for metal flutes.

All head-joints are manufactured from well seasoned, instrument grade African Blackwood and Sterling silver requiring just a light, occasional oiling of the wood with Almond oil for optimal protection and response. It is recommended that the head-joint be swabbed dry after each use.

Head-joints manufactured by The Abell Flute Co. are offered with a fifteen day trial period after purchase, and are guaranteed to be free of defects in the materials and in manufacturing for the period of one year from the date of purchase.

For further information or to place an order for a head-joint, please contact the Abell Flute Co. directly from the information provided below.