We guarantee your flute to be free of defects
in materials and workmanship for a limited period of six months.
This does not affect your statutory rights as they may affect
the sale of the instrument to you by a dealer.
Your flute will need service as it is played-in. Within the first six months, we will make any adjustments
or repairs without charge (except shipping). We strongly recommend
that you send your flute back to us
for a check-up at the end of this period, even if it doesn't
seem to be necessary. You may not notice any changes if you
play every day, but most people are very pleasantly surprised
when they play their flute after it has returned from a visit
to the workshop, and in fact such maintenance is essential
to keep the flute working properly.
WE FURTHER GUARANTEE, on condition that you:
Fill out and return the guarantee registration
card
Play-in your flute and take care of it according
to the instructions
Return it for a check-up after about 6 months,
and
Refrain from making any unauthorized alterations,
that we will repair or replace as quickly as
possible any part of it that warps, cracks, or sustains accidental
damage at any time, and of course do any further maintenance
work, without charge.
We are glad to help you keep your flute playing at its best,
but our guarantees do not extend to cases of obvious abuse
or neglect, or to any instrument that has been altered without
our prior approval. Just to emphasize that point once again:
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER MAKE, OR ALLOW ANYONE ELSE TO MAKE,
ANY ALTERATION TO YOUR FLUTE.
If the tuning doesn't work for you,
read this page, and if you still have a problem call us
or send e-mail. NOTE ON SHIPPING
CHARGES:
Though we do not charge for any maintenance work done under
guarantee, we are not able to pay shipping charges to, from
or within any country for return or repair of our instruments.
Return policy
If you bought your instrument directly from
us or had it made to order, you may, within 30 days of delivery,
return it for exchange or refund, as long as it is in mint
condition. Pack it up carefully and return it by insured UPS air service.
Be sure to call us first. If you choose a refund, you will
receive a check or credit card refund for your total payment(s)
to us, less any shipping and bank charges, when the flute
is re-sold or within 90 days, whichever is the earlier.
Press the button for a reminder of our phone
number:
Care of your new flute
"Playing-in" a new flute is the process of getting
it used to being played. The wood needs to grow accustomed
gradually to the warmth and moisture of your breath. During
this process the flute's playing qualities will change subtly:
the tone should become at the same time firmer and more flexible,
and the highest notes more singing. But less desirable changes
in response and intonation can also occur.
Although it can be quite difficult to perceive these changes
with an instrument that is unfamiliar, it really is worth
taking the trouble to follow the suggested program in the
first month or two. Careless playing-in prevents the flute
from developing to its full potential, and can lead to problems
later on. Over-playing a new flute may even cause it to crack.
1. PLAYING-IN
Do not play for more than 10 minutes per session, with a
maximum of 2 sessions per day, during the first 2 weeks. After
that, the limit is half an hour, once a day, for another 2
weeks. After 1 month of regular playing according to these
rules, you may play the flute for up to 1 hour at a time.
If you are like most people you will feel a temptation to
do more than this: RESIST IT! Always disassemble the flute
and wipe out each section after playing.
2. TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY FOR STORAGE AND TRAVEL.
Protect the flute from violent changes in climate: when
it is cold, warm it with your hands before playing; make sure
the air in the room where the flute is kept is not too dry
(40 - 60% humidity); in summer, avoid switching from an airconditioned
room to one where the air is hot and humid. Be especially
careful when travelling with your flute: on airplanes keep
it in a plastic bag under the seat in front of you, not in
the overhead compartment, where it suddenly gets very cold
and dry on takeoff.
3. OILING
Oil the flute with raw linseed oil as often as necessary.
This should be 3 or 4 times during the first month, and once
a month after that. Raw linseed oil is readily available in small quanitites at art supply stores and on the web.
To oil the flute: remove the cork and the key. Take a piece
of cotton rag on the end of a chopstick, and having dipped
it lightly in the oil, push it gently through the bore of
each section. Leave each piece standing on end for 2 hours,
then pull a dry cloth through the bore.
To find the correct position for the cork when you replace
it: check that the octaves of D and A are in tune. If the
octave is too wide, move the cork further out (away from the
embouchure), and vice versa.If you have to make too much of
a compromise, it is time to have your flute serviced.
4. TENONS AND SOCKETS
Make sure the tenons fit neither too tightly nor too loosely
into their sockets. Add or remove the cotton windings until
the joints are just airtight, and smear them with some grease
(cork grease, Vaseline or hard red or green ski wax) to keep
them water-resistant. The joints should be airtight, but should
not demand force. You should be able to remove and completely
replace the windings yourself if they become ragged or tangled
over time. We charge for this.
5. SERVICE
Send the instrument back to our workshop for a check-up
after about 3 months. DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TO US WITHOUT
FIRST CALLING OR FAXING AND RECEIVING A REPLY, TO MAKE SURE
WE CAN RECEIVE YOUR SHIPMENT. See the instructions for shipping.
Getting your flute serviced
IF YOU LIVE IN THE U.S.
CALL, FAX OR SEND
E- MAIL FIRST TO MAKE SURE WE CAN WORK ON YOUR FLUTE RIGHT
AWAY.
Fill a crush-proof cardboard box with loosely crumpled
newspaper. Roll up the flute in its bag and pack it in the
box. Enclose a slip of paper with your name, address, phone
number, a note about any problems you may be having with
the instrument or changes in the way it plays, and any date
before which you need it back. Also enclose a check for
$35 for us to return the flute to you.
Tape the box firmly on all edges with stout packing tape,
mark it "FRAGILE" on every side, and send it to us by UPS
or Federal Express. Insure it for its full value.
IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE U.S.
WRITE, FAX, SEND
E-MAIL OR CALL FIRST TO MAKE SURE WE CAN WORK ON YOUR
FLUTE RIGHT AWAY.
Fill a crush-proof cardboard box with loosely crumpled
newspaper. Roll up the flute in its bag and pack it in the
box. Enclose a slip of paper with your name, address, phone
number, a note about any problems you may be having with
the instrument or changes in the way it plays, and any date
by which you need it back. Also enclose a bank check or
credit card information (number and expiration date) for
the amount in U.S. dollars it will cost to return the flute
to you.
Consult with your helpful UPS agent and prepare a COMMERCIAL INVOICE (3 copies). The most important part
is the declaration that the instrument was made in the U.S.,
is being returned to the maker for repair, and has no commercial
value. If you omit this, you may have to pay customs charges
in both directions, and we will not return the instrument
to you until the inbound charges are paid.
Tape he box firmly on all edges with stout packing tape,
mark it "FRAGILE" on every side, tape an envelope for the
commercial invoice to the outside of the box, and send
it to us by UPS. IF ANY PACKAGE ARRIVES UNEXPECTEDLY, IN
THE MAIL, OR WITH CUSTOMS CHARGES DUE AND WE ARE NOT IN
A GOOD MOOD WE MAY REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT. Insure it for its
full replacement value, even though its COMMERCIAL value
is stated as a nominal $10 in the Pro Forma invoice.
