Frequently Asked Questions About Our Chimes
Q: I don't understand the difference between "sizes/voices" and "tunings"?
A: Use this analogy to buying a shirt: you could think of tuning as the
color and pitch range as the size. You can get a shirt in pink, blue and yellow;
and you can also choose small, medium and large. You may also think of our
tunings as songs. Each of them is available in various pitch ranges (sizes). A
musical instrument must be made larger to create lower pitches (For example, a
higher pitched violin is smaller than its cousin, the lower pitched cello. Each
can play the same melody, but in different pitch ranges.) Please go to the "Hear Our
Chimes" section of the
website to hear the different tunings in the different pitch ranges.
Q: Can I hang my Music of the Spheres windchimes outside?
A: Yes, they are designed for lasting outdoor durability. Please refer to
our "Materials &
Construction"
section of the website for descriptions of our durable materials and method of
construction. If you want to appreciate the beauty and ambience of your Music of
the Spheres windchime indoors you can "power" the chime with an oscillating fan
or a pull cord. Children have also been taught to gently "play" the chime for
their parents. One customer even positioned the windcatcher in the path of the
cat door!
Q: Are my Music of the Spheres windchimes covered by a warranty?
A: Yes, our Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto and Westminster chimes are
warranted for 7 years from the date of purchase against defects in materials and
workmanship. Tenor, Bass and Basso Profundo chimes are similarly warranted for
15 years.
Q: What are the specifications and prices for your windchimes?
A: Please refer to the specification chart for this information.
Q: Can I get my chimes repaired if they should be damaged?
A: Yes, please call or email for a return or repair authorization. If a
repair is covered by warranty, there will be no charge. If not, a $25 charge
plus the cost of any additional components and return freight will apply. If you
have a non-Music of the Spheres chime and would like it repaired, the policy is
the same as for a non-warranted chimes.
Q: How can I increase (or decrease) the activity of my Music of the
Spheres windchime?
A: 1. Hang the chime in a different location, either more or less exposed
to wind.
2. Hang the chime from the first knot above the ring for greater
activity and from the second knot for lower activity.
3. Adjust the size of
the windcatcher. To identify your windcatcher you may refer to the diagram on
the "How They're
Made" page. The wind catcher at the bottom of your
chime is the "motor" that makes it work. Windcatchers harness the power of
the wind and transfer it to the clapper, which moves to strike the tubes
and play the music. The larger the windcatcher surface area for any given
size chime, the less wind is needed to activate it. We design our chimes
to play in eight to ten mile-per-hour breezes. If your chimes hang in an
extraordinarily enclosed or exposed area, they will require a
correspondingly larger or smaller wind catcher than the standard one, to
achieve a "standard" activity level. If you feel you need a different size
windcatcher, return yours, asking for either the next size up or down and
we will send a replacement at no charge. If you would like to keep yours
and buy an extra,
click
here .
Q: How should I hang my chime?
A: There are a number of safe ways to hang your chime. The "best" for a
particular circumstance will depend on which chime size you're hanging and where
it is you would like it to hang. In all cases, simply using some basic common
sense is a great start. In many cases, hanging a chime "properly" is not a
complicated matter. Some chime hanging basics are:
- Don't hang your chime on anything that is sharp or abrasive. Over time the
cord will be cut or worn and will eventually break. For instance, instead of
hanging the chime from an old rusty nail, take the time to get a carabiner or
some other sort of metal ring. Hang the chime from the ring, then hang the ring
from the nail.
- Do consider the fact that the forces on the chime support will vary and will
increase substantially during severe weather conditions. When planning the
support for your chime, take the time to "do it right" by preparing for stormy
conditions.
- Do test the installation by giving a "tug" on the chime after hanging it to
make sure it stays put. For the smaller chimes, a gentle downward pull will
suffice; whereas for the larger, heavier chimes, a good solid downward test pull
is a good idea. A good rule of thumb is to test the installation with a force
that is between two and three times the weight of the chime.
- Do be considerate of your tree. When hanging chimes from a tree limb, use a
blanket or a piece of rubber to spread out the load on the limb. This will avoid
cutting into the bark and damaging the tree. A section of an old bicycle tire
works very well for this purpose.
- Do use a deck
hook as a safe and
convenient way to hang the chimes from a deck railing.
- Do use a wall
bracket to hang the
chime from a wall. If mounting the bracket on a brick, stone or masonry wall,
use the proper inserts for the job.
- Do be creative and consider as many options as you can think of when trying
to hang a chime. When in doubt, feel free to contact us for advice.