Can’t recall seeing anything in the forum guidelines …
I’m looking for a new bass recorder, and I’ve come across the thomann.de website.
I wonder if anyone can share their experiences with them.
I’ve sent them a number of email enquiries, none of which have received a reply, so I’m hesitant to order anything
from them.
It may just be a technical issue, but I’d hoped to get some feedback first before I commit to them.
Thanks.
James, are you looking for a source to buy that Mollenhauer Denner you mentioned earlier? I too would be hesitant to do business unless I got replies from a potential supplier.
Yes - the Denner 5506 
Terrible huh? As soon as the paycheck comes in at the end of the month, I’m already scheming to get it, before I’ve even had my Roessler repaired. I have seen the Denner 5506 sell for much cheaper in mainland European stores, than in the UK stores.
I have more experience buying from UK stores, but at the cost difference, I’m looking for a European supplier.
There are a number of bass recorders from Moeck - I haven’t tried any recently, but I might be tempted. Aesthetically, the keywork is too angular and less elegant than I would like…
I made enquiries of these people regarding an Adri’s Dream … got no reply at all. The Early Music Shop fared little better, their (machine-generated?) reply e-mails never contained any text … FWIW I’ve not managed to get replies from Hanson’s (the clarinet people) regarding their Chalumeau either, and the Susato people in the US did provide a response, unfortunately not to the queston I asked … seems like an endemic problem in the specialist music retailer industry 
By coincidence, I’ve been trying to get responses from another dealer myself. I guess sometimes it’s best to just pick up the phone and get a person.
This store responded to me:
http://www.musik-produktiv.fr/instruments-a-vent/flutes-a-bec/flute-a-bec-basse.aspx
Their prices are fairly good, and their customer services reply within 24 hours. They only charge 10 Euro for posting to Europe.
Previous places I have ordered from, which are very good:
Canada: http://exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.musicianswebstore.com
Craig Angyal is a real gentleman. His shop has a fast posting and efficient service.
Foulds Music in England: http://www.fouldsmusic.co.uk/
This is a family run shop with traditional family values. Oddly, their prices were better than European prices (that’s unusual!)
Both responded promptly to emails and have great customer service. In fact, Foulds Music even found me the music score to Henryk Gorecki’s ‘three diagrams’ for flute.
Unfortunately neither are Mollenhauer specialists…
I feel more comfortable going with the French store over the German store which hasn’t bothered replying to three emails now. Maybe I do need to telephone as you suggest…
I’ve ordered from Thomann twice, and had no problem. But I suppose their low prices come from being logistics experts rather than experts on the stuff they sell.
I’ve ordered from Thomann twice, and had no problem. But I suppose their low prices come from being logistics experts rather than experts on the stuff they sell.
… useful information, thank you 
Thomann did (finally) get back to me - much slower than everyone else.
In the end, I decided I’d rather help two economies: the German from where Mollenhauers originate, and the English, for making them available with first class customer service