The $oundis a range of instruments imported into Australia by Eltham woodwind and Brass, from some of the largest factories in the USA, Europe and Taiwan, and China. This project was to create a range of instruments at very affordable prices with the underlying principle of having an instrument of undeniable quality. It has been a long project over a period of more than a decade, due to the fact that quality and mechanical integrity was a serious consideration when sourcing better value.

We now have the range of instrument called The $ound. Unlike many brand names, the spectrum of instruments come from many different sources and not the one factory. Each source chosen has been on the basis of their individual specialist forte commensurate with price.

Flutes and Piccolos

The $ound Student flute is a basic instrument Manufactured in Taiwan and of far superior quality than the average Taiwanese flute. It has been used in rental programs over Australia for many years now and provides the player with a tuneful and reliable instrument which can provide the student with satisfaction throughout his flute learning life.

As an up market instrument to add to the range we now offer the American The $ound Intermediate with its E3 and recurve options. The $ound Intermediate flute is built by one of the top flute factories in the USA and it has been slotted into The $ound range. This flute outperforms most if not all the student flutes currently available today.

The $ound Piccolo is also of USA origin, and provides the options of metal head, moulded head and full grenadilla professional, at prices which are astonishing.

Most recently added to The $ound range is the Ecolé line. The Ecolé flute is presently being introduced into the range to further increase the customer choice pattern, and at the same time offer a quality school instrument which the parent can afford.

Professional Flutes

From silver head joints both in open hole and closed hole, up to solid silver, The $ound flutes are hand made by the finest flute maker in the States today. Each flute is hand crafted and provides the range of instruments with a top of the line flute, which is among the finest coming from the States today. Custom made flutes can be ordered including and up to a gold flute. Prices of this line of flutes are reasonable compared with some of the outrageous figures noted around the trade.

Clarinets

The $ound Clarinet is an instrument which has stood the test of time in the rental field. It is identical, coming from the same Taiwanese factory, as many well known brands of clarinets. Unlike the other high profile brands, this instrument is fitted with a very expensive French hard rubber (ebonite)or American mouthpiece, providing the student with a professional tone and enabling very high achievement in terms of tone and examination result. Again the Ecole and Ecole Professional Clarinets are a new addition to the range and provide unsurpassed value for the parent requiring something outstanding at a small price.

Saxophones

The $ound student Alto saxophone is absolutely the best value for money of any saxophone available in this country. It is of the finest brass lacquered finish, with nickel plated pad cups, to access easy maintenance in later years, easy blowing mouthpiece and coming with sling mouthpiece ligature and cap complete with sturdy case. It reflects the qualities of a much more expensive saxophone. This instrument is now superceeded by the following instrument which is now available at the SAME price.

The $ound Intermediate Alto Saxophone same as the instrument above but includes a high F# key.

The $ound Professional Alto Saxophone is based on the design of the Selmer Saxophone and is a remarkable facsimile. This saxophone is supplied with a Yanagisawa mouthpiece.

The $ound Tenor Saxophone same configuration as the Basic Sound Alto Saxophone.

Oboes

The search for a satisfactory student oboe was rewarded with more than one could ever expect. Whilst looking for a satisfactory plastic oboe we found a European Instrument made grenadilla wood. It features conservatoire system, plateau key, articulated G#, left hand F, low Bb, left hand trill keys, F resonance venting, and third octave facility, at a price less than the ordinary plastic instruments we have been used to in this country. The tone and accuracy of pitch are features found only in European instruments.

The $ound Trumpet

As with all the other instruments in the range The $ound Trumpet is sourced from one of the largest instrument factories in the world. It is produced under many brand names and is a quality student instrument which compares with others in the range without reservation. This instrument has been in the field for more than a decade now and is a very reliable instrument either in the hands of an end user of in a rental system.

French Horns

For many decades the Getzen Company and many others manufactured a half double french horn which at the closure of the Iron Curtain period, ceased to exist. With a great deal of co-operation from many companies, the tools were tracked down to their current owners and I am proud to say this fine student/schools horn is now available as The $ound half double.

The $ound Half Double french horn is a light weight instrument using a compensating feature to provide the student/school with a fine Bb/F instrument at a very affordable price. It is presented in a very strong lockable protective case and is fitted with suitable mouthpiece for student use.

The $ound Full Double french horn has a rose brass bell providing the player with a rich full tone. Again the horn is configured with a strong lockable case and the evenness of characteristics throughout the range of the instrument, makes it a pleasure to play.

About The $ound

This range of instruments is growing with time and with the intention of providing the end user with satisfaction at a price. All the manufacturers chosen to supply products are among the largest companies in the world, and only those with high profile reputations are part of the network. Great diligence was exercised in the selection of the product range and whilst many products were offered by the various factories, only those of a satisfactory quality and price level were accepted into this range of instruments. Eltham Woodwind and Brass is currently negotiating with new factories all around the world for better products and keener prices and with this continual refinement process the range will grow, improve in quality and become less expensive. We are sure you can compare other's product, and we urge you to do so however please also compare the price.

All instruments are thoroughly checked prior to sale and are covered by a one year warranty for all aspects of the instrument in which the factory concerned have produced a faulty or substandard part, based on the normal A.O.Q.L. (average outgoing quality level). Aesthetic or visual defects are not covered by warranty, due to the cost of transport back to the factory of origin, although many of the suppliers will be only too pleased to rectify a factory surface defect provided the freight to and from the factory is covered by the customer.

Wholesale customers are welcome to enquire directly with Eltham Woodwind and Brass. Details of the possibilities of direct wholesale trade for resale to the public may be obtained.

Schools should enquire for special quantity discounts and the possibility of rental instruments from Eltham Woodwind and Brass to supplement the School owned stocks.

Teachers should enquire regarding the possibility of purchases for students and entering the Eltham Woodwind and Brass teaching register, which has many long lasting benefits.

The concept ' The $ound' is merely a jumping off point to some of the up market instruments also supplied by Eltham Woodwind and Brass such as, YANAGISAWA, GETZEN, EMERSON, VITO, HOLTON, MARCA, REUNION BLUES, BUFFET, M.A.R.C.A. and many others.