Hi,
Any reccomendations as to where to buy one?
What’s the best pitch to start out on?
Regards,
Harry.
Hi Harry,
the most common key for bulgarian kavals is D.
C kavals are sometimes used for song accompaniment and for solo playing, B, Bb and A kavals are very rarely used.
Children start playing on E kavals because of their smaller size.
Quality instruments are usually not being sold on the internet so you should avoid the stores selling bulgarian instruments.
Please check your PMs.
I bought a D kaval made of ashwood about 5 years ago from shopbulgaria.com. I’m not an expert on kavals but I was happy with the one I received. Good customer service.
As an FYI since this post is old…
Radoslav Paskalev from Virginia, USA is making fantastic Bulgarian kavals from African Blackwood and Delrin. Highly recommended.
He has made them in D, C, and Bb as well as E (for kids).
…john
Hi, John … Long time, no see!
I’ve heard his instruments were very good, comparable with Zhechko’s, as I’ve been told.
How can Rado be contacted?
I will get the “official” contact information for Rado and post it.
…john
– edited to add contact –
Bulgarian Kaval Maker
Radoslav Paskalev
Virginia, USA
radoslavpaskalev@gmail.com
Kavals available in African Blackwood
Keys: E,D,C,Bb (Mi, Re, Do, Si Bemol)
Thanks, John!
veso hasabaliev - also highly recommended:
http://kavalibg.com/en_index.html
FYI, I just bought a Bulgarian Kaval from Radoslav Paskalev. Its a beauty! Its made from African Blackwood. The craftsmanship is superb. He is very easy to deal with. It came pre-oiled, very well packaged, and the delivery was super quick. Thanks to John (cadancer) for suggesting him!
what’s the price of this kaval?
He had a “buy it now” price of $450, but was open to reasonable offers.
+1. Veselin Hasabaliev makes great instruments. He’d also make you a seperate mouth-piece with an integrated mic/pickup, which works great in a live situation.
Nedyalko Nedyalkov (my kaval hero 
one of the best players around) and Lyuben Dossev (also a great player as well as a great teacher) both play instruments he made.
Veso uses almond and rosewood mostly, but has made grenadill (African blackwood) for kavals Nedyalko playes. He also experimented with a few other kinds of wood like Wenge. You could request a wood too, as long as it is suitable (some are too soft, others break to easily…)
I’d say that D would be the best key to start with. It is the most common, also the most common key in other folklores (Irish) to me it seems… Well playable. For children I’d say that E or higher would be better, sinche those require less air and have fingerhole-spacings more suitable to children’s hands.