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Frequently Asked Questions
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CAN I STILL PURCHASE AYOTTE DRUMS DIRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY? |
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We have reverted away from e-commerce because we recognize that the only way to sell a high-end product is to display it in front of people so that they can look, touch, feel, play, hear, smell, lick... before they make the decision to purchase. In addition, having competent and knowledgeable staff nearby to answer questions also enhances the whole buying experience. For those of you who prefer getting information straight from the horse's mouth, you can always pick up the dealer's phone and contact Ayotte toll free (1-877-736-5111) to make technical enquiries. We enjoy drum talk just as much as you do. |
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HOW DO I PLACE MY ORDER? |
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Ayotte is committed to selling its products through Authorized Dealers worldwide. If there is no Ayotte representation in your immediate locale, you then have the option to either visit a dealer nearest to you or you may choose to contact us directly for further assistance. |
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WHAT IS YOUR LEAD TIME FOR PRODUCTION? |
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Our regular lead time is approximately 12 to 14 weeks, but because we will be relocating to an upgraded production facility during this upcoming summer, orders may experience an additional 4 to 6 weeks of delay. |
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WHAT'S WITH THE WOOD HOOPS? |
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Wood Hoops resemble the Ayotte signature as we were the pioneers who introduced this technology. On a sonic level, an Ayotte drum outfitted with Steel Hoops will generate a bright sounding timbre. When accompanied by a set of Wood Hoops, the same drum resonates a warm, organic sound without losing articulation. Aesthetically, Wood Hoops can be decorated with inlays to accentuate complimentary colours. As well, the interior of the hoops can also be lacquered to produce a truly amazing visual effect. |
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HOW DURABLE ARE THE WOOD HOOPS? |
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Wood Hoops are designed to bear abuse as the end grains (the hardest part of the wood) are all pointed vertically so to withstand the strikes by the drum stick shaft (the softest part of the drum stick). Also, the edge of the Ayotte Wood Hoop is unique engineered and shaped such that the impact of the drum sticks is evenly distributed throughout the entire surface of the hoop. However, to minimize repetitive impact to any one specific location on the hoop, we recommend that the Wood Hoop be rotated on a regular basis. |
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CAN I PURCHASE WOOD HOOPS SEPARATELY? |
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Ayotte Wood Hoops fit onto Ayotte drums exclusively. Yes, the hoops can be purchased separately. However, to mount them on an existing Steel Hoop kit, you would need to purchase the Wood Hoop conversion kit. This includes all the necessary hardware and parts to appropriately convert your favourite Steel Hoop drum to a Wood Hoop drum. |
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AYOTTE PRO AND AYOTTE CUSTOM? |
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Backed by the same 10-year warranty, there is no product quality difference between the Ayotte Pro and the Ayotte Custom series of drums. Both are produced by the same Ayotte craftsmen using the same materials and are produced at the same facilities here in Vancouver, Canada. The reason for the two product lines is because we have witnessed many cases of "decision paralysis" the instant a client learns that we have produced over 500 different configurations of custom drums in over 700 different custom colours (and we have the capability to do even more). The remedy to this constructive disorder is our Ayotte Pro series of drum kits. The Pro line was founded on our 10 most popular finishes. We then matched these colours up with the top-chosen drum configurations and threw in all the necessary mounting hardware to make a complete set. At the end of the day, the customer avoids the proverbial "Maybe I should have gotten that other colour in that other size..." conversation with himself and he also ends up saving about 10% over the Custom line. |
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WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU CAN DO CUSTOM WORK, WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN? |
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In our custom line, you can have the exact drum you want. Yes, we will cut a tom to your desired 10 x 7 7/8" specification. Yes, we can make your Wood Hoops to a lower-profile. Yes, we can paint the interior of your drums and your Wood Hoops. Yes, you can have off=set lugs, and so on... As for colours, you have the option to select from our over 700 previously painted colours or you can create your own. |
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HOW DOES THE WHOLE CUSTOM COLOUR MATCHING PROCESS WORK? |
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In the Ayotte Custom Series, you literally have no limitations as to which colour you desire. Describe to us what you want and our painter will produce sample colours painted on actual pieces of drum shell swatches. The recipe for each colour is recorded and the swatches are sent out to you for review. You then choose from A, B, C or D. If the samples aren't exactly what you're looking for, call us back, we'll do another set of samples at no additional charges to you. By adopting this process, you can be 100% sure that your drums will look the way you want them to look. For us, well, we get to avoid the "final product may not appear as shown due to the printing process" disclaimer. |
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CAN I ADD MORE DRUMS TO MY CUSTOM FINISH KIT AT A LATER DATE? |
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We have been recording every single Ayotte drum with an individual serial number since 1982. Each serial number is coupled with the original paint recipe. This ensures that we can add drums to your existing kit without complication. |
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WHERE DO I FIND THE SERIAL NUMBER AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? |
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The Serial Number is listed on the bottom portion of the Ayotte Badge. Every Ayotte drum produced has a Serial Number assigned to it. The Serial Number is tracked on the Ayotte database and information regarding the history of the drum kit is recorded. This information comes in very handy should you ever wish to add drums to or insure your existing kit. On the off chance that you wish to part with your Ayottes, having a comprehensive drum history drastically increases the resell value. |
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DO YOU SELL TOUCH-UP PAINT TO REPAIR MINOR SCRATCHES? |
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Touch-up paint will not repair minor scratches. In fact, their application will further damage the drum finish. If you have a scratch on your Ayotte drum shell that you would like repaired, please send it back to us so that our craftsmen can make the necessary repairs. |
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DO I HAVE TO LOOSEN THE SET SCREWS ON THE CYLINDERS TO TUNE THE DRUMS? |
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No, the set screws should remain snug at all times. |
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