Brought to you this hour by

Advertising and Web Hosting on Woodwind.Org!

Doublereed Archive - Posting 000001.txt from 2004/08

From: Jane Murray <prepmus@-----.edu>
Subj: [DR-L] Violetwood
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 11:12:35 -0400

Yes, Emily, Violet wood is VERY unstable!!

I bought a Violet wood Loree Royal in Sept of 2002. It cracked in
the first 5 days , but it was gorgeous , so I kept it, had the crack
repaired, and by Thanksgiving it had cracked 2 more times, the last
being a crack that spanned the entire length of the top joint!
I received my new top joint from Loree in March of 03, and broke it in
meticulously- 5 mins a day for a week, then 10, etc. for 2 months,
oiling it once a week in the beginning, now once a month.

In June (04), I stupidly played it at an outdoor Pops concert and it
cracked (and I live in humid New England)!

So, if I were you, I would do what was suggested. Keep it in as stable
an environment as you can, and don't be surprised if you get a few
cracks. They are truly gorgeous sounding instruments, and well worth
the trouble, (as long as you have a spare!!)

I find it curious, however, that I have several students who are
playing on Violetwood Bulgheroni oboes, and they have a much better
record as far as cracking is concerned. They are much cheaper, and
easy to play, and they have that incredible sound!

Good luck

Jane Murray
Jane Murray
Instructor of Oboe
Coordinator of Chamber Music
University of Rhode Island

---------------------------------------------------------------------
For personal help: email doublereed-owner@-----.org
Doublereed is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org