Raj Nplaim Suab Laus | Hmong Bass Free-Reed Flute
Raj nplaim Suab Laus are even larger than the traditionl raj nplaim qab ntev flutes typical in traditional Hmong music. These are expertly crafted by Vahcha Lor in Luang Prabang, Laos, and are extremeley hard to find. In making their flutes, HMong artisans only use very specific species of bamboo with long internodal structures. This ensures the look and sound of HMoob raj, but also puts a constraint on the physical size of HMong instruments—limited by the size of the species of bamboo in relation to the traditional desired look for the instruments—meaning raj nplaim suab laus are the largest size raj nplaim are made in.
PRODUCT INFO
These raj nplaim measure between 43 inches (109 cm) and 45 inches (114 cm) long and approximately 1.5 inch (4 cm) in diameter/thickness.
The free–reed is made from hand-smithed brass, the body of the flute is made from dried and cured bamboo.
RETURN AND REFUND POLICY
I hand pick and try every instrument before shipping to ensure its quality. Please check to ensure everything is okay upon arrival and notify me immediately if otherwise. I will issue your choice of a return or replacement only if the instrument arrives broken: I may require the broken instrument sent back to me–and a refund/replacement will be issued as soon as USPS registers the returned item. If you have played your instrument at all, I cannot honor a return due to the nature of wood and bamboo: bamboo and wood instruments are prone to cracking if you salivate into the instrument too much when playing, causing it to expand unevenly, if it is exposed to rapid changes in temperature/humidity if your home or care, etc. I cannot offer a return in any case after three days of your receiving the instrument, again due to the nature of bamboo instruments being in your care and exposed to any of the above mentioned conditions. Lastly, instruments can and will crack from consistent and strong vibration from the reed (poor sounding instruments are actually likely to last longer because the reed produces weak vibrations and sounds) thus, all raj, qeej, etc. will eventually crack with time—that is just the simple nature of bamboo and wood. It is not a question of "if," but "when" your raj/qeej/etc will crack—all of this is affected by the variance in each piece of bamboo and wood, how often you do or do not play it, the consistency of your playing, the climate where you reside, etc. As the HMong saying goes, "tsuab thawg ntau lub thiaj keej, tsuab puas ob peb rab thiaj ua tau txiv qeej..."
SHIPPING INFO
Free shipping within the US via USPS First Class/Priority Mail on orders over $50—estimated arrival within 3–5 business days, not guaranteed. Express shipping available for $45—guaranteed arrival in 1–2 business days, excluding your order day. If your order is late, click here for support from USPS.