COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Why does it take so long for my order to get to me???

A: Because it takes THREE WEEKS for a bassoon reed to be finished---The first week from the raw tube cane to the profiled and shaped cane, the second week from the profiled and shaped cane to form into a bassoon reed blank ( a piece of profiled and shaped cane that is formed by a forming mandrel, with the wires in place, the thread is on the tube part of the reed but the blade is NOT opened up) , and the third week from the bassoon reed blank to the finished and immediately playable bassoon reed. Add on the time it takes for your order to get to me, and time it takes after completion to get to you, so it roughly takes one month from the time you send an order until you receive it.

Q: Why don’t you accept credit cards???

A: Personal checks and  international money orders are always accepted.".

Q: Do you use French cane or California cane???

A: I use French cane, from three different sources, and order directly from the growers in the Var region of France.

Q: Do you accept rush orders???

A: I really don’t, normally, because the work is basically custom work for each person, but if you contact me through e-mail or by phone with a problem or time situation at least I can try to figure out a reasonable solution with you.
Orders are put in priority from either the postmark date, or the paypal payment date and exact time, that always is the fairest way I can do your work. If you have a time problem you MUST call me or fax me or e-mail me and I will be happy to do what is possible to help you.

Q: What kind of machinery do you use???

A: I use a RDG-Laker type gouging machine, a Pfeifer single profiler, and all the rest of the work is with files, time, and much, much patience.

Q: Why should I buy from you instead of the local retail music store???

A: Because the majority of mass-produced bassoon reeds are manufactured within such a short amount of time that the cane undergoes a tremendous amount of change and stress in too short an amount of time. Reeds that are hand made over such a long time as mine tend to have a stability that you will notice when you play them.