Cornelian Cherry Wood Kaval – Pro

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My flagship kaval, turned from cornelian cherry that has been aged for ten years. Dryan is the wood the old Bulgarian kaval makers worked in, and it is still regarded as one of the finest materials for the instrument.

It has a soft, warm, tender tone that is deeply characteristic of the Bulgarian style.

Good to know: dryan will not keep the colour you see in the photographs. With playing and regular oiling the wood darkens steadily, so the kaval grows deeper and richer in colour for as long as you own it.

The fittings: the mouthpiece and the joints are machined acetal, better known as Delrin, not buffalo horn. It is stronger, far less prone to cracking, and it holds its shape through the humidity and temperature swings that horn reacts to. It is identical in every instrument I make, it seats without grease, it cleans properly, and it is not an animal product. The mouthpiece shapes the sound, which is exactly why I use it: Delrin is far less affected by atmospheric conditions and responds the same in warm and cold, so the instrument plays consistently instead of shifting with the weather.

What you get

• A professional kaval made from 10-year-aged cornelian cherry, available in D, C, Bb and a custom A.
• Leather case included.
• I personally play, tune and approve every one before it ships.

Choosing your key

• D - the easiest to start on, the most common key, and the one all my lessons and materials are built around. My recommendation for beginners.
• C - slightly lower, and it blends beautifully with the human voice; traditionally the key used to accompany folk singers.
• Bb - deep and rich, but a little harder to play: it is longer, so the finger holes are spaced wider apart.
• A - the lowest and warmest, a semitone below Bb: it's longer still, so the last finger hole is offset slightly to the side, keeping it comfortable to reach. Custom made to order.

About the A key (made to order): the A kaval is pitched a semitone below the Bb. It uses longer, rarer wood. It takes two to three weeks to craft, plus delivery.

My promise

• Turned by hand on the lathe by master kaval maker Biser Vasilev in Zlatograd, Bulgaria.
• 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Ships worldwide from Bulgaria with tracking. In-stock instruments ship within 1 to 3 business days; made-to-order keys take about 2 to 3 weeks to craft.

New to the kaval? The Starter Bundle is the easiest way to begin - an Intro kaval in D, the beginner course, and everything you need in one.