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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I place an order?
Email Bill, bill@imperialcityocarina.com, and answer these two questions:
1) What ocarina(s) or xun(s) would you like?
2) What is your country and postal code?
In addition, if you have any customizations in mind, or other requests, let me know.
Next, you'll be emailed a link taking you to a page on our website where you can securely place an order.
What's the wait time on shipping from China?
For our typical economy method, it varies somewhat depending on country. Some times are roughly as follows: U.S. 11-15 days, Canada 13-18, Europe variable by country 9-15, Australia 9-13. Countries close to China are quicker. FedEx is typically 6-8 days, but is more expensive. In addition to these shipping times, the ocarina will need to be made after you order, and that will take from 5 to 8 days depending on the size of the ocarina ordered.
What models are in stock at ICO?
Usually none! When Song Wei gets an order, he makes it. Normally, it will take between 4 and 7 days to make an ocarina. Most of that time is needed for pre-fire drying, with larger-bodied ocarinas, like Triple BCs, requiring more drying time. Occasionally, the ocarina you order is in stock because Song Wei made it ahead during a slack time when order volume was down. And, at times, when order volume is extra high, making your ocarina could be delayed another couple days. Once the instrument is finished, shipping takes another 11 to 15 days for most countries.
Sometimes, a few ocarinas are in stock in the U.S. During these times, the link "Currently available in the U.S." will appear in our Ocarinas and Xun Products page. If you order from there, your ocarina will be shipped out within a day of ordering and you'll receive it by U.S. Priority Mail in 2-3 days (longer if international).
Tracking my package
When your ocarina or xun is ready, it gets shipped first to our forwarder in south China. That shipping leg takes 2 (sometimes 3) days, and we don't provide tracking info at that time. Once received by our forwarder, the package immediately gets shipped out to your address. When that happens, I send you a final invoice email that contains tracking information. Why hassle with the forwarder? Using the forwarder reduces your shipping costs to between 1/2 to 1/4 of what you'd otherwise be paying.
How do I clean my ocarina?
Clean the outside of the ocarina with toothpaste and a soft cloth. Do not use a scouring pad or anything scratchy. Do not use organic solvents. The inside of the ocarina should not need cleaning.
Customizing. What types do you do?
Song Wei has rarely turned down a custom request. The most commonly requested include:
1. Moving subholes. Our standard placement is the middle finger position for all subholes. But Song Wei can move one or more subholes to any location, and does it free of charge.
2. Split holes. The 2nd chamber of a standard ocarina has an accidental (sharp/flat) that runs a little sharp, namely the F# (on an ocarina keyed in C) played by uncovering at the ring finger position. An extra hole can be added at this position, whereby the player covers/uncovers both holes to play the diatonic scale but then uncovers only one of the holes to play the F# accurately.
3. Moving the top hole of the second chamber to a thumbhole on the underside of the ocarina. Song Wei does this one free of charge. This thumbhole configuration is often referred to as Osawa fingering or Japanese fingering.
4. Omitting the cord hole.
5. We no longer offer painting, with the one exception being that the Dragon Xun comes in a green with gold trim. If you wish to try your hand at painting and varnishing (not difficult to do!), we can provide a non-varnished ocarina along with guidelines on how to make your painting/varnishing project a success.
6. Engraving initials or other images. If Song Wei can do it with reasonable effort, he'll likely be willing to work with you.
Does Song Wei do keys other than C, G, and F major?
Yes, he does. In fact, we’ve not had a request for a key that Song Wei has not been able to do, either in 12-hole, double chamber, or triple chamber. He has even filled a few requests for minor keys.
Pitch frequency. Does Song Wei tune to A = 440 hz?
Yes, our standard is A = 440 hz unless an alternative tuning is requested.
Extended Range. Will it be too difficult to play?
Our “Extended Range” triples all feature two additional thumbholes on the 3rd chamber. Uncovering them extends the range upwards by two diatonic notes.
The key point to be made on the question of playability is that the two holes are positioned right where the thumb would naturally and comfortably land when playing the 3rd chamber. Thus, it should take little to no practice to cover these toneholes as the player jumps into the 3rd chamber. Uncovering them could take a little getting used to, as does the uncovering of the two holes at the index finger position of the 2nd chamber on a standard Asian double or triple. But again, for beginners who are uncertain of their ability to handle the Extended Range holes, the placement of these holes allows for easy covering, and the player could choose to not uncover them until dexterity and confidence develop later with time and practice.
By way of perspective, we sell more Triple BCs than we do Triple BC Extended Range ocarinas, but only by about 10%.
By request, an Extended Range ocarina could be made with only one, instead of two, ER holes. The ocarina would lose one note of range, but gain a little simplicity for those who are unsure of their ability to cover two ER holes.
Subholes. What are they?
Subholes are special toneholes designed to extend the range of the chamber downward by one or two semitones. They are always placed in close association with a tonehole proper so that the finger covering the tonehole can slide ahead to also cover the subhole. ICO places subholes at the middle finger position as standard, although they can be moved to other positions by request.
Why the extra holes on the underside of my ocarina?
There are three kinds of holes that can appear on the underside of a multichamber ocarina (any brand, not just ICO ocarinas).
1. Voicing holes are those close to the mouthpiece of the instrument. Also called fipple windows, these are where the sound of the ocarina is actually produced. Covering a voicing will stop the chamber from emitting sound.
2. Toneholes are meant to be covered/uncovered. Any tonehole on the underside of an ocarina will be placed where the thumb can conveniently cover it while the other four fingers are covering toneholes on the top side. The first chamber of a multi-chamber ocarina typically has only one thumbhole. The second and third chambers may or may not have a thumbhole. In the case of our Extended Range ocarinas, the third chamber would have two thumbholes paired together.
3. Tuning holes are not meant to be covered/uncovered by the player and, as such, are placed either on the opposite end of the chamber from where the voicings are located or on the sidewall of the third chamber. Tuning holes are located on the second and higher chambers and are needed by the ocarina maker to adjust the pitch of the entire chamber, allowing balance between chambers.
Does Oak Leaf styling affect sound quality?
All of our multi-chamber ocarinas are available in either regular or Oak Leaf styling (exceptions are the Double AC or AG Mini and the Triple AC Mini). Oak Leaf only affects the outer appearance of the ocarina. Sound quality and ergonomics are unaffected. Basically, choose Oak Leaf if you prefer the way it looks.
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