-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Burnett [mailto:t@powellflutes.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 01:42
To: Prosono
Subject: RE: Thank you !
Dear Philippe,
 We have turned about 150 pieces round so far, and I must say I have not seen wood of this quality in years.  So far, we are getting a reject rate of only 10-15%, which, for our purposes, is as good as it has ever been.  And I do have information on the reject rate of wood used here at Powell going back to 1956.  Like most makers, we "triage" the wood: 1) outright rejects; 2) tolerable quality pieces or pieces that need to be cut shorter than intended to make other parts; and 3) first quality pieces.  From what I see of the non-reject pieces, we are getting more than half in the "first quality" category.  That makes a rate of nearly 50% for very first quality pieces, and the remainder quite good quality as well.  These will mostly not be used for piccolo bodies because of knots, small inclusions, too abrupt a change in the direction of the grain, etc.  But the overall character of the wood is quite good, and almost every piece that I can't make into a piccolo body can be made into a head joint.

Recently, from other suppliers, we've had reject rates of over 40%, with almost no pieces in the first quality category.  Having had results like this,  we would certainly have no hesitancy to recommend you to other makers, and I would also be very happy to supply references for you to other makers.
Best wishes,
Tim Burnett
Manufacturing and Product Manager
Wooden Instruments
VERNE Q. POWELL FLUTES INC.
Maynard Massachussets - USA

From: Stephen Roberson [srl@collonialtimbers.net]
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 13:53
To: Prosono
Subject: wood arrived
Philippe,
The wood arrived in good order and I was pleased with what you sent. I'm interested in purchasing roughly 10 set of AAA 2 piece sets. When you get the chance please contact me when you have some sets available.
Steve
I sent another builder your way, a gentleman by the name of Darren Hippner. He's a well respected classical guitar maker on the West Coast of the States.

-----Original Message-----
From: rob aylward [mailto:robert.aylward@virgin.net]
Sent: 19 September 2005 11:24
To: Philippe Monbaron
Subject: Re: APOLOGIES - 3 JUMBO SETS STILL AVAILABLE
Thanks Philippe,
Thank you for the reply. I would like to order two additional sets of the master grade Jumbo African Blackwood. So if you could put them aside I would be most grateful. It may take until next week to transfer the money as I am waiting for payment from a couple of customers. If you send the pro forma invoice I will start to organise things with the bank.
All the best!
Rob Aylward. 
P.S. when I measured the moisture content of the timber you sent I was very impressed. Although I did not have the conversion for the reading, it seemed very dry. To you always dry it so well?

-----Original Message-----
From: TRAVIS TODD [mailto:travis@earthlink.net]
Sent: 30 June 2005 09:21
To: Philippe Monbaron


Dear Philippe,
I just wanted to write a quick note to tell you how happy Patrick and I
are upon receipt of our first order of Blackwood yesterday.
You can anticipate a large order from us within about six months.  I
have not put any timber on the lathe yet, but It looks like the best
wood I have ever had.
Thanks again, and I will be in touch with you soon, Mark Hillmann

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Burnett [mailto:tb@powellflutes.com]
Sent: 13 December 2005 08:16
To: Philippe Monbaron
Subject: RE: AFRICAN BLACKWOOD, MOPANE, PINK IVORY FOR FLUTES AND PICCOLOS