JP CHARLES LUTHIER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Why do you use Brazilian Cedro (Cedrela Odorata) as a tonewood for the
tops ?
Most Brazilian builders have in the
past used Cedro to
fabricate
genuine "all Brazilian wood" instruments, so we are retaking
this idea as a challenge. Ebony, Spruce and Maple are ordered from USA or Europe
by the Brazilian builders. These are expensive
woods in regard
to the shipping fees and customs fees. As far as we perceive, Cedro is a
consistent light tonewood, naturally termite and rot resistant, and in our
opinion a perfect substitute for
Spruce when well selected. What's more it is available in any thickness,
which is very useful for carved pieces. Independently of that we also offer an
imported European Spruce as an option for our customers.
- Why do
you propose
high quality machine-heads as an option ?
The machine-heads proposed
as an option in our website are ordered from USA or Europe. With the
high shipping fees and customs fees, a U$ 100 product will cost U$ 200
to us. What's more, it usually
occurs that a product takes more than one month to be delivered (when
it is not lost), even with a shipping
tracking number on the package.
Therefore, high quality machines are
optional because of their hard-to-acquire conditions.
- In consideration of these shipping problems, is it difficult to send an instrument out of Brazil ?
There is no problem for shipping out of Brazil. We pay the Express Air shipping fees and the insurance fees and we mark the package as a "Gift".
- How long does it take to build an instrument ?
We are working alone in our workshop, it usually takes from 2 to 3 months depending upon the kind of instrument and how busy we are. We prefer to build it with patience and care, avoiding machined solutions.
-How to order ?
Firstly please browse through our website and
gallery and take a look at the instruments; this will give you a good
idea of our models or styles. Contact us directly by email or our
Contact Box and inform us about the model you are looking for,
and what
elements or options you wish us to include. Please take your time in
looking over the models shown. Choose carefully some upgrade options
under reasonable possibilities.
When you decide you'd like us to build your instrument, we ask for a down payment of 50% (nonrefundable). Once we receive this we will be starting the building. We shall punctually send you some pictures of the process. Your comments, suggestions, and your criticism are always welcome. This is your instrument, and we want you to be happy with it.