 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Helen
Date: 2004-02-04 09:59
Hi all -
I'm not affiliated in any way, but I just wanted to say a huge public word of praise for Davie Cane. Having experienced many examples of poor customer service in the past year or so, just as I was thinking there's no such thing as good customer service anymore, along comes an outstanding piece of customer service from Davie Cane.
I wanted to try out the Mozart reeds I've seen praised here, but being in the UK, couldn't find anywhere (on the Internet) that sold them here. I resigned myself to paying high P&P charges, and ordered a box from Davie Cane.
The package turns up - swiftly, I might add - and inside, a note from Phil saying he felt bad about my having to pay so much for postage for one box of reeds, so has included a box of FOF reeds of the same strength for me to try!
I was speechless! How outstanding a piece of customer care is that??
In a world where many complain and few praise, I just felt I should hold this act up as an outstanding example of what customer service SHOULD be like. I will most certainly shop with Davie Cane again, even though they're not local to me, and I will recommend them highly to all and sundry.
cheers
Helen
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-02-04 12:31
You may be able to order them from Howarths in London. They are supposed to be Gonzalez dealers, though I have never seen this mentioned on their website.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Greystones
Date: 2004-02-04 12:31
Paul Ryan in Dublin has begun to stock Gonzales reeds and maybe cheaper for the p&p.
His website is www.paulryanmusic.com
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-02-04 15:28
Yes, Dave has been great too me as well.
It's nice that they have a great product, but it's incredible that he's so concerned with and connected to his customers.
I can't say enough about the product and him. Thank You!
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-02-04 15:34
I keep wanting to call Phil, Dave - duh! That's why I usually refer to him as Mr. Shapiro
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2004-02-04 16:41
Disclaimer- I sell Gonzalez F.O.F. Reeds
Phil Shapiro and the Davie Cane company give exceptional customer service and Phil, principal of the Miami Symphony and clarinet teacher, is very attuned to the trials and tribulations of fellow players trying to find decent reeds.
I do not get free reeds to send out as samples for people to find their proper reed strength (unless they are in my reed strength niche and then I just send one of my own) but I direct them to Davie Cane and Phil Shapiro and he gives personalized good advice about comparative strengths (in addition to the chart on the Davie Cane web site - a woodwind.org sponsor) to what people are now playing, or will send a trial reed for people to try out.
All of my experiences with Davie Cane - both the company and Phil Shapiro -have been exceptionally friendly, and a breath of fresh air in a seemingly customer unfriendly (many times) world of woodwind product suppliers.
The Doctor
Post Edited (2004-02-04 16:49)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-04 19:42
I'd have to say that a fair amount of sponsors on this board (at least all the ones I dealed with) are very nice and have great customer service in my eyes. Taking the time to communicate and help a fellow clarinetist is what keeps customers going back to you. I admit that some sponsors here can be more expensive than a large budget store (such as IMS or wwbw) however the difference in customer service between those places that I received is what will keep me going to certain people for whatever I can unless I HAVE to go to one of the larger stores with a larger selection, but worse attention to the consumer's needs.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-02-04 23:16
I just emailed Phil last night about obtaining a sample of differing Gonzalez FOF strengths, since I do not wish to buy several boxes just to find the strength that is right for me. He informed me that he would do so, and all I would have to pay for is shipping. If that's not keeping a customer happy I don't know what is!
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2004-02-04 23:39
Being only an hour away from him, and getting to become better and better friends with him as time goes by- I can agree with all the praise in this thread. He's the most generous person I've met in the clarinet business. For those of us who know about Duffy's Rare Violins, his kindness makes him seem to me like Duffy's for violin players (from what I've heard).
I also consider him to be the best player Miami has to offer, and the same goes for him in the teaching world.
I don't usually praise someone or something much, but Phil really deserves it.
Bradley
Btw- his prices are basically the same as WW&BW's and in you're in the U.S. I'm sure the shipping might be in the same ballpark as well, so it suits you to do business with him in every aspect.
Post Edited (2004-02-05 00:23)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-02-05 02:08
Last year, I spent some time with Phil in Florida and posted my experience:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=112370&t=112370
He has since become one of my best and trusted friends. I know that I can always rely on Phil's expertise in many areas. He is genuinely one of the "nice guys" in the music retail business.
He has brought Gonzalez reeds into the spotlight and has quickly gained significant market share against the big reed conglomerates.
In these days, a very tough thing to do...GBK
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Author: Helen
Date: 2004-02-05 07:13
JMcAulay: Well, the Mozarts I have to say I like VERY much. Personal taste, I tend to prefer Mitchell Luries usually ... of all the Vandoren's I've tried (quite a few), I don't like their tone very much in comparison to the Mitchells. However, the Mozarts I've found to produce ... without having anyone jump on me for my choice of terminology!! ... a really nice warm depth to their tone, is the only way I can describe it.
The FOFs I think probably need some working? refinement? finishing? (don't really know, just my feeling) so I've tucked those away for when I get the ATG system (see, I take advice ) ... but the Mozarts just seem to play wonderfully right out of the box.
Again ... I'm a novice, so I wouldn't necessarily take my comments as in any way knowledgeable!, but I really do like the Mozarts for their responsiveness and tone. I did need to switch mouthpieces to use them ... I vary between using a Vandoren 5RV Lyre and a Pomarico Ruby crystal; I usually prefer the Pomarico's tone, but I found it too resistant to play with the Mozarts - that is most definitely down to my lack of technique/immature embouchure, I'm sure of it. But with the 5RV, absolutely wonderful straight off.
All in all, a happy experiment.
cheers
Helen
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Author: Ray
Date: 2004-02-05 12:46
Helen said, "I did need to switch mouthpieces to use them" and later, "that is most definitely down to my lack of technique/immature embouchure, I'm sure of it."
I don't want to sound argumentative, but I probably will. Helen, there is an important lesson to learn from this experience that some people never grasp: It is that the shape of the mouthpiece curve on which the reed vibrates is the main factor in determining what strength reed ought to be used.
Possibly your technique or embouchure is deficient in some way. That may be true for the majority of us. But, the fact that placing a different mouthpiece under the reed made things "absolutely wonderful straight off" should prove to you that your embouchure and technique are not terribly deficient. You had merely put the reed on a mouthpiece for which it was not as well suited as it was to the 5RV.
So, stick with that combination. Absolutely wonderful is not so bad.
When you get the ATG System you can adjust the reeds so they perform just as well on the Pomarico. Then, with a great reed on each mouthpiece, you can decide which mouthpiece you prefer and why.
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