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| Hind Discovery Thread; Mechanics, Wood Choices, and Ranges | |
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| Topic Started: May 3 2009, 07:19 PM (5,909 Views) | |
| Uronoro | May 3 2009, 07:19 PM Post #1 |
Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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(formerly the "How would you design your Hind" thread) Hind Musical Instruments Website Hind Galleries Well, the former thread was getting too big for it's britches, so like a good pokemon it has evolved a better form to suit it's abilities... or... discussions. Welcome to the Hind Discovery Thread. This thread is here to satisfy your wonderings about the wooden ocarinas made by Mr. Charlie Hind. Discuss the mechanics of a Hind, including the voices, wood, and wood designs, including what might suit you best. If you own a Hind, please share your opinion of it! We'd love to hear it because there are always more curious first-time Hind customers (myself included  ).Also, if we're lucky, there is also the possibility for Mr. Hind to offer his knowledge himself! You can scroll back to read over his past appearances. Please understand Mr. Hind may not always have the time to answer your question here. If you have one that MUST be answered by Mr. Hind himself, please go to the Contact page on his website to send him a personal message. This thread is here as a group discussion, and should not be considered a dependable means of speaking to Mr. Hind. His presance here is a privilege to us, not an obligation for him. Please consult the FAQ before you post any questions. We understand you want to get your information, but we wish not to make it too taxing on those who answer by having them repeat themselves or try to find an old post with the answer. Thank you! ____________________________________________________________ FAQ: Q: Can I get an ocarina made out of a type of wood not on the wood list? A: You would be responsible for supplying Mr. Hind the wood if you wish your ocarina to be made of it and it's not a typical wood he offers, but it is always a good idea to check with Mr. Hind first. Q: Are certain woods better for higher or lower ocarina voices? (soprano, alto, tenor, bass, etc) A: According to Mr. Hind, dense woods like rosewoods work well on smaller/higher ocarinas, like a soprano, while less dense woods like Walnut, Mahogany, and Paduk will work well on the larger/lower ocarinas, like a bass. But there has been exceptions, so don't feel as though this information should limit your design choices. All Hinds are held to a high standard no matter what wood they are carved from. Q: Would cocobolo be a good wood choice for a Hind bass ocarina? A: According to Mr. Hind, cocobolo make a fine bass ocarina. Q: Why are the inline ocarinas only offered in Walnut? A: Since the inline ocarinas are made in batches, it is much easier to stick to only one type of wood. When all the parts to the ocarina are made of the same type of wood, they can be organized just by their shape and function without worrying about having a lack or abundance of a specific wood type. Q: How big are the thumb holes on Hind bass ocarinas? A: Mr. Hind measures the bass's thumbholes just to be a hair over 9/16". If you decide you want to buy a bass but are concerned whether your thumbs might be too small, we encourage you to contact Mr. Hind about your concerns and he might send you a physical hole sample so you could get a better idea of the size. Q: Is or will there be a double Hind ocarina? A: Actually, YES! Mr. Hind does plan to start selling doubles. Just keep checking up. Here's a picture of one: [x] Q: Do different woods change the sound of an ocarina? A: The answer to that is tricky. Mr. Hind claims that he can hear the uniqueness of each ocarina, this is probably due to the fact that he lives and breaths these ocarinas he crafts, and has trained himself to pick up on the differences in each ocarina. Most other individuals are deaf to this minute variation in his ocarinas. All voices will sound how they should, no matter what they're made of. A soprano should sound like a soprano, an alto should sound like an alto, and so on... But it should be considered that a lot of variables affect the sound of an ocarina including it's material. Q: Why did you design the subholes/accidentals the way you did? Why is there only one functioning subhole? A: Quote from Mr. Hind on his subholes:
Q: What's the maximum amount of wood layers that have been used in a sweet potato ocarina? A: At the current date (5/29/09) Mr. Hind says he will soon begin an ocarina with up to 10 layers. (I'm still adding onto this FAQ, I just want to post it so that I don't entirely loose it)
Edited by Uronoro, May 31 2009, 12:19 AM.
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| Toshi | May 3 2009, 07:32 PM Post #2 |
Snake? Snake?! SNAAAKKEE!!!
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I'd love one with very light colored wood on top, and almost black wood on the bottom-half and half. Maybe bloodwood in the middle...*drools* self.Alas, I could only imagine that price wasn't an object. Otherwise, my collection would be 10 times larger than what it is now.  (sorry about the mosquitos...stupid little things. Here Scroll down a bit, and it'll list some options. I can personally vouch for aloe vera gel-works great, and natural!) |
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| Mikael | May 3 2009, 07:36 PM Post #3 |
 
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If I were to buy a set of Hind's sweet potatoes I would first research as much as possible about different kinds of wood. There was a member who asked Hind for a specific wood that is quite rare and difficult to work with. He ended up buying a block of said wood and sent it to Hind so he could make it into an ocarina. |
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| Uronoro | May 3 2009, 07:37 PM Post #4 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a picture of him layering an ocarina like that. But I'm sure he could, he's a wonder with wood. Yeah, prices of good ocarinas are enough to make me cry, but hey, they're usually worth it if you save it up. Thanks for the mosquito treatment link ^^. Must have been a crazy rare and expensive wood, like ebony or purple heart, or one of those amazon woods @_@. It must have been a wonderful ocarina. I need to keep that in mind if I ever get some crazy wood idea, I'm glad to hear Mr. Hind will do that for you if you supply the wood. Edited by Uronoro, May 3 2009, 07:41 PM.
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| Uronoro | May 3 2009, 07:39 PM Post #5 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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ACK! Double post! Sorry! DELETE PLEASE! Edited by Uronoro, May 3 2009, 07:40 PM.
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| Mikael | May 3 2009, 07:44 PM Post #6 |
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Is ebony really that rare? I mean... it's pretty much everywhere. In woodsound ocarinas. On guitars... etc |
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| Uronoro | May 3 2009, 07:47 PM Post #7 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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I suppose not, but I do know it's expensive as all-get-out. Perhaps I got rarity mixed up with price. Same goes for the purple heart I mentioned. They're usually very dense woods that you have to be careful working with, since some people have a negative reaction to the sawdust, especially the tropical trees, because the only way those trees survive all the tropical insects is by having very dense wood with a whole bunch of toxins in it. But it does make for extremely unique and pretty wood. Edited by Uronoro, May 3 2009, 07:50 PM.
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| Armisis | May 3 2009, 07:49 PM Post #8 |
Paradoxical Enigma
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My Hind Soprano Sweet Potato made of Walnut with Bloodwood highlight has been shipped and I'm just waiting on it now... Dave |
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| Bateleur | May 3 2009, 07:55 PM Post #9 |
We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.
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Ooh, I'd love to have a Hind Bass made of solid Grenadilla. It's such a nice, dark color.... *drools* EDIT: Stupid me, a Bass isn't available in Grenadilla!  It's so sad.I don't like the stripes of wood that he puts on some of his ocarinas, since it reminds me of fancy basketball shoes. I don't want to be thinking of feet when I'm playing my ocarina! Oh, and I've heard that you shouldn't eat bananas if it's mosquito season. Mosquitoes are attracted to people who've just eaten one, I've heard. Edited by Bateleur, May 4 2009, 10:33 PM.
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| Glup | May 4 2009, 01:04 PM Post #10 |
a.k.a totten94
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I have ordered a hind with Padauk sides and two thin layers of maple with a thicker layer of cherry in the middle of that.. it looks beautifull! |
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| kissing | May 4 2009, 01:32 PM Post #11 |
there is always time for a song
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I have this crazy dream of a Hind sweet potato made of Koa  Koa is the native Hawaiian wood that the best ukuleles are made of  |
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| Uronoro | May 4 2009, 04:16 PM Post #12 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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Does that look similar to that harmony sweet potato he has in his videos?
Apparently he'll make ocarinas of a specific wood for you if you somehow send him a block of the stuff. Doesn't sound cheap, though XD. Edited by Uronoro, May 4 2009, 04:20 PM.
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| atkeane | May 4 2009, 07:04 PM Post #13 |
Uber Ocarinist X 2
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I have no idea how expensive it would be, but an ocarina made of Lignum Vitae (Tree of Life) would be awesome. First of all, the wood is water resistant, breakage resistant and pest resistant by nature, and to add on, it can only come in a totally natural finish, because nothing will stick to it. Also, according to myth, Merlin had a staff of the stuff, that alone makes it awesome. Granted, like I said, I have no idea what the cost would be... even just to get the block... |
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| CharlieHind | May 4 2009, 09:23 PM Post #14 |
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Instrument Maker
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You're right that nothing will stick to it...including glue. That's why I've never used it. I've seen some really pretty pieces and was tempted, but I'm afraid it wouldn't stay together. |
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| Glup | May 4 2009, 09:29 PM Post #15 |
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a.k.a totten94
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It looks similar to the harmony he shows at his gallery. Not sure which one he uses in his video but it might be the same one! 
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| CharlieHind | May 4 2009, 09:31 PM Post #16 |
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Instrument Maker
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I've wanted to use some curly koa for a long time. It would be rather soft, but it's really beautiful. Whenever I've found a piece that was suitable for an ocarina, it cost well over $100...just for the piece of wood for one instrument. If you like Koa, take a look at videos 9 & 10 at this link: http://www.taylorguitars.com/video/factory-fridays/ All the other videos are good too, if you are interested in guitar making. |
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| Uronoro | May 4 2009, 09:40 PM Post #17 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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*suppresses fan-girlish squeal*  I had no idea you were a member here, Mr. Hind!! 
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| Armisis | May 4 2009, 09:59 PM Post #18 |
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Paradoxical Enigma
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hehe, Uronoro he just joined a few days ago. I hope he enjoys the Ocarina network! <GRIN> It would be nice to get other makers more active here too... <GRIN> I wonder how much a nice Oak Sweet Potato would cost?? |
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| Uronoro | May 4 2009, 10:05 PM Post #19 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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I feel so silly reacting to Mr. Hind like a preteen girl would a boy band. I hope you can forgive my silliness, Mr. Hind, because your craft and instruments are diamonds in the ocarina world. They cause awe and happiness . I hope to own one of your ocarinas someday.And yes, welcome to TON! I hope you enjoy yourself, here. (Those woodworking videos make me miss woodshop class. Someday I might get a ban and chop saw.) Edited by Uronoro, May 4 2009, 11:14 PM.
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| Kiniko | May 5 2009, 10:38 PM Post #20 |
<3 Lolicon
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I have a dream of a hind tenor made of purpleheart, detailed with grenadilla, and then a thin stripe of cherry on each side of the grenadilla. I actually have a homemade inline in the works made of purpleheart and red oak. Purpleheart is such a beautiful wood! |
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| Uronoro | May 5 2009, 11:11 PM Post #21 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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Be careful when working with that wood. My woodshop teacher worked with Purple Heart once, and went to bed without fulling getting the dust off himself. He woke up the next morning where the whites of his eyes were completely red.  Of course, I think it was an allergic reaction, and not everyone reacts the same. But those beautiful tropical woods do hold some funky chemicals in them that they use to combat the tropical bugs. It's what makes them so flawless and dense. Poison beauty  .
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| Dhalphir | May 6 2009, 03:45 AM Post #22 |
Opinionated Jerk
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I won't be buying a Hind until he has a double available, though as soon as he does, I'll snap one up right away. |
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| killbob234 | May 6 2009, 04:42 AM Post #23 |
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The Pied Piper
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I would get Bocote layered with Bloodwood. |
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| Ninocarino | May 6 2009, 05:00 AM Post #24 |
Ocarinist x 2
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Mmm, if i could, i would order: A redwood soprano Solid A Morado Tenor Solid A Padauk whit walnut an cherry (wait a moment, i have it, jejeje) A Padauk Bass (maybe whit some cherry) I ask for pardon Mr. Hind, for use your photo of the 156, but my photos do not make justice for it and. jeje, FOR ME IS THE BEAUTIEST OCARINA IN THE WORLD   Edited by Ninocarino, May 17 2009, 06:11 AM.
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| atkeane | May 6 2009, 09:14 AM Post #25 |
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Uber Ocarinist X 2
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Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I wonder what a pine or cedar ocarina would sound like. I'm trying to think how soft the other woods are in comparison to get an idea of if its possible. I know Cedar has a nice look, as does pine, and they both have a lovely scent. Now, is the sound as good... |
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| CharlieHind | May 6 2009, 02:57 PM Post #26 |
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Instrument Maker
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Don't worry about it Uronoro; I actually thought it was sweet. 
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| Uronoro | May 6 2009, 04:08 PM Post #27 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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Good to know it didn't put you off.  Is it true that Cocobolo might be too hard for a bass sweet potato? The Cocobolo bass in your video sounded very well.  I'm also wondering if there is a wood that works well with all the voices of the sweet potatoes. As I said in my first post, I have this dream of someday collecting a set of your sweet potato work, and it would probably look nice if they were all made of the same kind of wood. I've been fairly set on Cocobolo, because of it's handsome grain and durability, but if there is any other wood you know of that would work better in a set I would really appreciate knowing. The way Honduras Rosewood occasionally takes a burgundy color in your gallery is so beautiful, but I wouldn't think that coloring is too reliable. (oh, that Soprano Sweet Potato made with Bolivian Rosewood with the sapwood showing is so striking!! I wish I had the means to purchase it from you immediately.) |
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| shadowyi | May 6 2009, 05:26 PM Post #28 |
is a girl. [音之翼]
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Oh I love this thread! What a great idea. I just put in an order of grenadilla layered with bloodwood for my mom, I can't wait to see it! I'm also looking at ordering a harmony as well, but can't quite get my mind set on what woods I want. I absolutely love rosewood, and my first and only ocarina is made of Bolivian Rosewood. The smell, the sound, the coloring.. <3. Purpleheart sounds like a very interesting wood, is it good for instruments as well? Just as dense as an exotic wood? |
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| atkeane | May 6 2009, 07:03 PM Post #29 |
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Uber Ocarinist X 2
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Well, I know a friend who's using Purpleheart in a guitar. Having helped to radius and shape the fretboard, I can say that purpleheart is sturdy and will hold up to anything that you can throw at it. It took a rasp to do any real sanding. I'm not sure how it would make an ocarina sound, but it is a very hard sturdy wood, the joke with my friend was that it was more like metal than anything. |
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| CeksMix | May 7 2009, 02:31 AM Post #30 |
Pendanters
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That's exactly what I want! Congrats to your mom; that sounds like an amazing present. |
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| CharlieHind | May 7 2009, 04:32 PM Post #31 |
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Instrument Maker
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Uronoro, My experience is that cocobolo makes a fine sounding bass. The video is evidence of that. There is no reverb or any other enhancement added to the sound of any of my videos. I have been pleasantly surprised that some of the softer woods (Mahogany, Padauk, Walnut) sound just as good, and sometimes even more resonant. I have had a couple of instances where an extremely hard wood on a tenor sounded rather dead and lifeless. However, it was still a good sound and the customer loved it. You have to remember that I'm comparing each instrument to every other one I've made. They all sound good, but there are subtle differences I'm aware of that many people won't even hear. A difference in windway dimensions of only a few thousandths of an inch can change the way an instrument "feels" as you play it. I will pick up on that, whereas someone who hasn't experienced all of them wouldn't. On the other end, I've always felt that the extremely hard woods sound best on the sopranos. However, I recently finished the walnut soprano for Armisis, and it sounded perfectly clean up to the top note. I've also made cherry sopranos that sound really clean. So I guess what I'm saying is that a complete set of sweet potatoes in any wood I use could be successful. It's hard for me to say what would be best because there are always going to be small differences in each instrument. What I like best, someone else might not prefer. As for the color of Honduras Rosewood...it varies from light brown to the deep purple you mention. This color is set and doesn't change much over time. Some other woods will change color with age. Padauk is a bright orange when I first cut it; then the sunlight makes it turn to a deep red. I usually leave a new padauk ocarina in the sun for day or two before photographing it. Cocobolo also darkens with age. The Bolivian rosewood soprano with the sapwood on it sold this morning. I'm kind of sorry to see it go. |
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| Tye Possum | May 7 2009, 05:14 PM Post #32 |
The wandering musician
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The way I'd make my Hind ocarina would probably just be cocobolo because it's supposed to be good for flutes and looks cool as well. The stripes of different wood look nice but I personally just prefer the look of one piece of wood. I guess honduras rosewood would be cool too, or bolivian rosewood... |
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| CharlieHind | May 7 2009, 10:28 PM Post #33 |
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Instrument Maker
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I've never used purpleheart, but it ought to make good ocarinas because it's so hard. IMHO any extremely hard and dense wood should make a good wind instrument. Yesterday I drove to Columbia and bought a board of purpleheart. It's long enough to make 4 tenors. Also bought a big hunk of Grenadilla for a custom tenor. It has sapwood along both edges. Cocobolo is a wood I can never pass up. I bought a small board that has a crack in part of it, but it should make 3 or 4 sopranos. |
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| Mikael | May 7 2009, 10:32 PM Post #34 |
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I believe the Woodsound I've just purchased from delorean has purpleheart running down the mouthpiece. --- I have a question for you, Charlie. Why are your inline ocarinas only available in walnut? If they were to be made in different woods, would the price be significantly affected? |
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| CharlieHind | May 7 2009, 11:06 PM Post #35 |
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Instrument Maker
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I used to use two different woods, Bubinga and Padauk, but the logistics of keeping all the parts made became too much. I have 7 sizes of end-blown ocarinas, and each size has either 3 or 4 parts. Using two different woods meant that I had to have 50 boxes of precision cut parts in stock all the time. I cut the parts in batches, so it was a real pain when I ran out of one part and needed to make a particular size of ocarina that called for that part. It wasn't uncommon to have the body, back plate, and top plate in one wood, but be missing the windway part. Life became much more simple when I started making them out of just one wood. Now I've only got about 25 different boxes of parts to keep up with. |
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| prichardsph | May 8 2009, 12:03 AM Post #36 |
Confusing Name
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Ziggysp2000 was the member :P Although i dont remember what he had the ocarina made of... All i know is that i received a Hind Alto C for Christmas and it is my favorite Ocarina. I may but a tenor some day made out of pure cocobolo. It looks and sounds very nice  But that will have to be a while because i dont have enough money for it at the moment hehe. |
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| Kiniko | May 8 2009, 03:39 AM Post #37 |
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<3 Lolicon
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4 Tenors? Out of purpleheart? Where is money when I need it.... |
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| Uronoro | May 8 2009, 04:00 AM Post #38 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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You are teasing us, Mr. Hind!  Beautiful ocarinas made of beautiful wood.I hope you will be taking pictures of them! Purple Heart ocarinas would go fantastically in your gallery. Edit: I have one last question for you, Mr. Hind. (....actually that might be a lie, I think I'll always come up with more questions  ).Do you happen to know the diameter of the thumb-holes on your sweet potato basses? I'm a little worried that my small hands might have a bit of difficultly handling a large ocarina, as much as I love the sound. Not that it won't stop me from trying. Edited by Uronoro, May 8 2009, 04:38 AM.
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| CharlieHind | May 8 2009, 04:27 PM Post #39 |
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Instrument Maker
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| Uronoro | May 8 2009, 04:41 PM Post #40 |
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Where Have You Sinners Gone?
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| Dhalphir | May 16 2009, 06:17 PM Post #41 |
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Opinionated Jerk
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Is it optimistic to start mentally designing a wooden sweet potato double in anticipation that one day we might see one from Charlie? |
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| TakumiVK | May 16 2009, 09:36 PM Post #42 |
Euphoric Wayfarer
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Don't worry I have been doing the exact same thing, Iv'e even started looking at woods to consider for the colouring/grain to go into the design. 
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| Ninocarino | May 17 2009, 06:20 AM Post #43 |
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Ocarinist x 2
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By the way Mr. Hind. I love the 176 too.  ¿Do i am being pedantic and presumptuous? Yes, but i love it, jeje, is small, is charming, and sings.
Edited by Ninocarino, May 17 2009, 06:23 AM.
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| atkeane | May 17 2009, 10:45 AM Post #44 |
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Uber Ocarinist X 2
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Hind Ocarinas are so beautiful, someday I will have a Hind Sweet Potato bass... |
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| CharlieHind | May 18 2009, 12:00 AM Post #45 |
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Instrument Maker
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I've been thinking about making a 2 octave double sweet potato for a couple of years and have worked on it several different times. In some ways, having both chambers one octave apart in C appeals to me, but that would mean using some cross fingerings and a thumb hole on the right side (the left side will play just like a normal 12 hole). One advantage to an ocarina like this is that the right hand would finger just like my standard double ocarina. However, it would be different from the left side. Another advantage is that it would be easy to "think" in C on both sides as you play. I know that if I make it different from what everyone is already used to playing, there will be some who don't want to try something new. What's the consensus out there? How would you like your wooden double sweet potato to finger? |
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