Zara is Back!!

Yes, I am back and in charge. It’s always nice to see Alfa act like she is in charge. She says the right things and acts well, but she doesn’t always deliver. You know what I mean. To be kind to her, she has been looking after mum a lot. Mummy is not too well and Alfa is a very good nurse for mummy . She is a great comfort to mummy, which excuses her from her poor sales. It was sort of a typical Zara week.

On Monday I looked after a sale of a pre loved Yamaha YCL225 Clarinet. Customer of course was very happy and waited till Monday to buy so they could get the paw of approval from me 😻. On Tuesday a family came over to check out 3 instruments from DR TOOT. After a little maintenance demonstration, the family walked out with an amazing YTS 380 Tenor Sax, and BAC SL500 Jazz Bb/F Trombone and a BAC Apprentice Bb Trumpet. A very musical family and the kids were very lucky to have such supportive parents to support them on their musical journey !

The rest of the week featured the usual sale of accessories and Brass & Woodwind repairs and service. Taka is so busy that on saxophones and flutes, he is fully booked until beginning of February. Daddy on the other hand is still accepting brass repairs and his turn around is great.

The weather here is very warm and we are expecting a very hot summer. We are told that things will ease off later this month and more people will have a bit more freedom than before. All the staff at DR TOOT are fully vaccinated and here to help you with your next musical journey. Please feel free to call us and ask about our instruments. I am always excited to see you and we will all look after you. Even Alfa……when she isn’t eating or sleeping 🙀

I had my 14th birthday on Tuesday and it's Rico's birthday today...he would have been 13 today. 💜💚

Time to go and have a rest. Its been a hard week and a hard week is coming. Love you all and stay cool like me. Your Queen Zara 💖

BANG BANG BANG BOOM BOOM BOOM…🎆🎆🎆

That’s what went on at the end of this week! No, it’s not Alfa misbehaving or even Alfa eating or even Daddy practising his new tuba. It was fire works Friday and Saturday night. You see, humanoids in this part of the world light off fire cracker in celebrating Guy Fawkes Night. This and New Years Eve are the most horrible times. All that noise and it really scares us cats. More so Alfa than me of course but still it’s not nice. One day I hope this will stop and give us pets of all sorts a break!

This week started with a sale of a beautiful pre-loved Yamaha cornet. A cornet is like a trumpet but smaller in size and mainly used in brass bands. They have the same fingering as a trumpet but with a more mellow sound. I know these things. I am Zara. Daddy’s personal PA. Alfa thinks that a trumpet is an ice cream cone with chocolate coating on top. Poor Alfa. The cornet was the only major sale of the week, but we still have made many accessory sales including a sale of a vintage saxophone mouthpiece to someone in New York. Our customers are far and wide. I think DR TOOT is famous 😼

Mummy is being very patient with Daddy. Mummy is training Daddy on how to use the business computer for invoices, accounts etc. Daddy so bad on the computer and Mummy has to type out things for him to follow. Poor Daddy. I’m sure he will understand in time and give our Mummy a bit of a break. Speaking of Mummy…. This Tuesday is Mummy’s Birthday. It seems that this year has gone so fast. The other special news is that my birthday is one week after Mummy’s. I believe Alfa’s birthday is coming up soon too...😺

This weekend has been full of sunshine, so Mummy and Daddy, under my guidance have been out gardening and making everything look so beautiful. The roses are out and everything is looking so beautiful. Almost as beautiful as me 😻

Well, it’s time to catch up on some sleep. This watching hard work is hard work! Till next time. Be like me. Be like Zara 😻😸😼

Long Wet Weekend, and nowhere to go…

Greetings to my loyal furball and human subjects. Some of Alfa’s friends say that I am arrogant. This is untrue, I just know better that’s all. I am older and so much wiser. I am Queen Zara, Daddy’s personal P.A. Anyways, that’s enough about me 😸 

This week at DR TOOT has been a busy week with trumpet, cornet, flute, clarinet, saxophone and a special tuba repair. People come to the shop and wait for Daddy to open the door so that they can leave their instrument on a table to assessed. Many instruments are couriered to us as well. I miss not seeing people because I know how much they loved to come in and stoke my fur and give me a cuddle. I hope that soon we can get back to normal again.

One of the instruments that came in for repair was Daddy’s old tuba that he sold over 20 years ago. It arrived from Hamilton by courier which required some major TLC. Daddy seemed happy to see his old tuba again and played a few tunes on it after he finished the repair. We hear Daddy EVERY MORNING playing his tuba before work. Personally, it’s driving Alfa and I a little loopy 🙀

Two instruments were sold this week and have found new homes. The first one was a Backun Alpha clarinet. When I heard Daddy say that they sold an Alpha, I got so excited. I thought he meant Alfa, my half sister!!! But no……it wasn’t Alfa…😼 The second instrument was a beautiful BAC Elliot Mason model Artist Trombone. This one found a home in Auckland and was picked up on Saturday morning. He seemed very happy.

Mummy and Daddy said that this weekend is a long weekend. Every weekend is a long weekend for cats. We eat, sleep, eat, do our business and sleep again. Alfa of course does much more eating than I do. She is such a chunky Tabby. Well, it’s time to go back to my bed and curl up. Maybe Daddy will watch Netflix again and I will sleep on his lap. I love my Daddy. I know you are all counting down the weeks and days till my Birthday. Not long now…..😻😺

OUMPA OUMPA OUMPA !!!

Good afternoon, my fellow fur ball admirers. Yes it’s my turn to share the real news with you on what’s going on at DR TOOT. Nothing sugar coated from me. I tell it as it is! I love my Daddy as you all know and I am very patient with his work load and things. But, as you know, Daddy received from Germany a brand new Miraphone 1292 New Yorker CC Tuba which he has named Sammy. Weird name if you ask me but that what he has done. He has spent a bit of time setting “Sammy” up the way he likes it like spring tension and slide movements. That’s fine it doesn’t affect me. What does is his tuba practise EVERY morning. Long notes, short notes, load notes sometimes quiet notes, but always notes. I don’t mind now and then but everyday??? 😺

Been a pretty busy week this week. We have been in level 4 for a month and on Wednesday we went down to level 3. That’s level 4 but now able to have takeaways. Level 3 also allows customers to come to our shop and drop off repairs. This keeps Daddy busy and gives the house some peace and quiet with him not playing his new tuba. Just saying that I am not jealous of that hunk of metal…Sammy! Anyways, Daddy has been busy with repairs and Mummy working hard on accounts, and accessory sales. So no instrument sales this week. Lots of interest, but no firm sales. Maybe I have done the hard work for Alfa and she gets my sales 🙀

Some new stock should be arriving from Japan including a Yamaha YAS82Z Custom Alto Sax and a  Yamaha Alto Sax YAS275. Very exciting to get new stock in. Other great news is that we will be the importers and distributors of a range of specialized mouthpieces for Brass-wind  Musical Instruments from America. The company is Laskey and this company is world wide known for make amazing tuba mouthpieces. Of course Daddy must have one which means even more practise 😼

Well you all got the news right from the Cat’s mouth. Stay well and be kind to your owners,  (even though we know we own them). Queen Zara signing off 😻 

I’m Zara…I do my Best!!!

Another level 4 lockdown in Auckland. Another week of Daddy doing a little work and watching the 1pm news update on the TV. Life here is very quiet without humanoids visiting us. That being said, it didn’t stop me in representing DR TOOT in the sales department 🙀 You see, we have an amazing online shopping site that mummy has worked so hard in developing. All of our new and pre-loved instruments are beautifully displayed with descriptions and photos on each item. Mummy spends countless hours researching each instrument and taking lovely photos of them 😼

This is good as it is impossible under level 4 to view them in our shop. As a result of my personal hard work and presence, we have found homes for 3 instruments 😍 On Monday morning a lovely wooden, pre-loved Selmer Paris 10SII Clarinet has found a new home in Havelock North. Later that day a brand new Chateau Alto Sax was swept away to a young girl in Hastings. She was playing on an alto sax that was barely held together and was in need of some serious repairs. I know she will be very happy with her new saxophone. On Wednesday a pre-loved Pearl Flute has a new home locally here in Auckland. The lady hasn’t played in 30 years and her old flute had given up the ghost. Her old flute was a student model, silver plated flute and the Pearl flute she got was a professional solid silver flute. I am sure she will amazed with it and it’s sound! Even though we are in lockdown, we are still able to accept sales on accessories and instruments and get them couriered to you. You see, under hard and difficult conditions, I do my BEST! 😸😺😼

Daddy has been glued to the computer this week looking at incoming flights from Munich to Auckland. I can’t say much as I am sure Alfa will share this news with you. It could be the only news she will share with you, if you know what I mean….She has been very active this week playing indoor soccer by herself. Daddy, when he was cleaning, found a little ball that she use to play with when she was very young. Now that she has it, it’s like being and playing with a long lost friend. Actually, at this moment it’s her only friend she has except for family, and sometimes I’m not sure about that..🙀

Well it’s time again for a long overdue cat nap. I have been awake now for 20 minutes and I must go back to sleep and regain my energy. Stay well everybody wear your masks, and keep your distance. Be kind and considerate like me. 😻

What can I say???

The Humanoids are still in lockdown which means Alfa and I see a lot of Mummy and Daddy. I guess that is cool but Daddy insists on sitting on my cushion watching a little Netflix during the day when I want to sleep. Because we are in Level 4, no customers can visit us. The courier still comes, but I must admit that I am getting a little bored in seeing a bit too much of Daddy. Dare I say that even Alfa at times seems interesting.

This week seems to have a few day patterns. Mummy and Daddy wake up, feed us (later then usual), then they go into the showroom/workshop where Mummy works very hard filling in orders and Daddy, ever so slowly tinkers around on a clarinet repair. 

At 1.00pm most days, they go to the living room and watch the news for any Covid updates. Mummy goes back to work while Daddy  seems to fill in a lot of time fitting small bit of cardboard pieces together. These pieces are part of what Humanoids call a puzzle. It’s a puzzle to Alfa and I why someone would spend so much time putting all these tiny bits of cardboard together to make a picture the when it’s completed take it all apart! I mean..REALLY??? 🙀

Like I said, customers can’t come here but recently we have been receiving many big boxes containing a huge assortment of Brass & Woodwind gig bags and cases for sale. There are so many here that I can hardly fit in the room that they are stored in. Alfa with her very full figure can not enter the room. She is too….well, you know! 😼

There are things happening here that I am not told about. Mummy and Daddy are talking about many things but are speaking very quietly and keeping it a secret from Alfa and I. As soon as I hear any news, I promise to share. For now, please be safe and be patient if your Humanoids are acting a bit strange. Till later my furry subjects...be like me 😻😺😸 

It's been awhile...😺

Good afternoon my fellow very patient and loyal followers. Yes, it has been awhile since I have personally had a connection with you all. My life has been very busy recently and I am not old and lazy! 🙀 Alfa has kept you up to date in an Alfa sort of way. Very dramatic and some of the stories are correct.

Well, we are still a shop of 2 (mummy and daddy), and Alf and me. Taka is still away and not back until early October. Daddy has been very busy with woodwind and brasswind repairs. As well as being busy with repairs, daddy has been busy playing in many concerts with different groups. It seems that I have to book in a time to see him and sleep on his lap.

This week as always has been an interesting one. Shipments are coming in from all around the world. We received towards the end of the week one huge and one smaller box. The large box was too big to fit in the showroom so it with the other box was put in the living room. In the two boxes were flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone etc. cases. Mute and accessories cases too. Alfa and I love boxes but have been told to stay out of them. I am a good girl and listened, but I don’t know about Alfa. She doesn’t always listen…😼

On Saturday, a family came in to look at our amazing flute selection and picked out an intermediate Briccaildi Flute that had a solid silver head joint and a B Foot Joint. Mummy looked after the sale and they were very happy. Today while daddy was at Brass Quintet rehearsal, mummy again sold a lovely pre-loved vintage King Trumpet. Mummy is so cleaver.😸

Many things are happening at DR TOOT. Customers coming and going and stock coming in. There is never a dull moment at the House of TOOT. My humanoid and furry friends, I must say goodbye until we meet again in two weeks. As you know , daddy turned a big number on his birthday last Sunday. I am not aloud to say how old. I will give you a hint….it’s not 64….and it’s in between 64 and 66…hehehe…meow meow.😻

 

Rain Rain Go Away!

My paws get so wet and cold in winter. Clear cool weather in nice but the rain is no good for my fur. I am a summer cat with short fur and I am slim. Alfa is a winter cat with long fur and FAT 🙀. We are 1 week into winter and it’s times like this that I wish I could fly to the northern part of the world and enjoy their summer. My advice to all my furry friends and humanoids is to stay warm and eat well. Be like Zara 😻

This week as always for a Zara week has been a busy one. It started with a sale of a Buckun “Beta” Wooden Clarinet which was sold to a very nice boy who really appreciated the lovely warm sound you always get with the Backun clarinets. Many accessories from Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and USA arrived this week and Mummy has been so busy unpacking, packing and getting all back orders out. Mummy does it all. She looks after Daddy, us fur babies, and DR TOOT. 

On Wednesday evening she was feeling a little sick and Daddy got very worried. We never see mummy ill so it was very odd to see her like this. On Thursday morning she looked fantastic and all was back to normal. Don’t know how Daddy would cope if Mummy was ill for a long time. 

On that Thursday we sold a pre loved Buffet Flute to a customer. Taka had cleaned it and repadded all the keys.  

On Friday, with my assistance sold a Yanagisawa pre loved Alto Sax. Very much a Woodwind Week you could say. Daddy of course too has been busy with some brass and woodwind repairs. When he is not repairing, he is out playing his tuba with concert bands, brass bands, quintets etc. 

Today is Monday and it is a public holiday. It’s Queens Birthday Weekend celebrating The Queen of England and Queen Zara Birthday. It is nice that the country respects us and give our people and cats the day to relax. Speaking of relaxing…Taka will be taking Tuesday and Wednesday off too. He works very hard and has earned some extra time off 😺

Well time to go. Daddy has been practising his tuba for some up and coming concerts. He took a break from his practice to talk on his phone to a friend he knew when he was a naughty noodle in Canada. His friend Robert/Bob is still in Canada and they were both remembering friends from the past and Daddy’s Sousaphone he played in the band and some of the silly things Daddy did when he had hair and a much smaller tummy…..sorry daddy…Time fly’s by so fast and memories of good people and times will last forever. Daddy is very happy !😊

Take care my furry friends and when you are lost and sad, then think of me. It works for me every time 😸😺

It’s been a BAC Week !

A BAC Week I say. Does that mean “Bad Alfa Crazy”? 🙀 No, it means “Best American Craftsmen”. BAC is a company in Kansas City where we import top quality Trumpets and Trombones. They are well made and have American names for their various models of trumpets and trombones.

On Monday, we sold a pre-loved Buffet E13 Clarinet. Top makes of clarinets are the Selmer’s, Backun’s, Buffet’s and Yamaha’s. Teachers and students alike love the sound they produce and the ease of playing. On Wednesday, we had a BAC Portland Model Trumpet find a new home in Auckland. The student tried it and loved the look and the sound of this fantastic new trumpet. Later that afternoon a gentleman tested an EEb B&S Tuba and made a beautiful sound from it. Daddy as you know plays tuba and he really liked this one. On Thursday, another BAC Trumpet was sold. This one was a Silver plated New York Model. This is our first New York model sold in New Zealand and the customer will be up next week to collect his new baby. We love seeing the happy faces of the people when they come in and buy and pick up their new instruments and start their new adventures in music 😻

Again it is another weekend where we haven’t seen much of Daddy. Brass Quintet rehearsal on Friday night, Collecting stands and music for Sundays performance with the Howick Brass in two services for ANZAC Day. The first performance was at 6am on Sunday morning and later at 11am. Today is Monday and it is a holiday because of ANZAC Day arriving on the Sunday. This morning it was Brass Quintet rehearsal and later today at 5pm, Daddy will be performing again with the Howick Brass Band in an ANZAC Concert. Poor Mommy. She is having to look after us and organises everything here.

I have personally set up some sales for Alfa this week as she has a short week. I am still the Master seller but humble enough to share my talent with Alfa 😺. Be good everybody and try your best to be like me 😸😸😸

Short week but still so busy…..

Yes, the week was short and the days seem cooler and darker, but still the best cat seller of instruments was on form and did her part. Easter Monday happened this week so the shop was open only for four days. That not quite true as Mummy and Daddy were busy cleaning the shop and restocking the instruments after the National Youth Jazz Competition.

During the short week, I was still able to manage a Cornet, Tenor Sax and Flute sale. Almost a sale for every working day. Not unusual for me…..just saying 😻 More stock arrived this week too. A beautiful Yanagisawa 902 bronze Alto Sax, a lovely Yamaha 400 Series silver Cornet and a B&S four valved EEb Tuba. Daddy said that it was great to have a real instrument in the shop 😆

We haven’t seen too much of Daddy because he again has been out for many rehearsals with different bands. I know that he is very happy when he plays the tuba so that’s ok. Speaking of tuba…we are sad to see Jordan leave the DR TOOT Team. We enjoyed his work with us and wish him the very best in the future. I am sure we will still see him from time to time as he plays in different bands that Daddy plays in.

Well, like this week, this message from me is short 😋 Stay warm all me many furry friends and as always be patient with the humanoids, They do their best. Meow Meow for now 😺😸😻

It's been a Sax Week at DR TOOT 🙀

Good afternoon, all on this beautiful autumn day. The sun is out and there are no clouds about that I can see. The crispness of the air and the Sunday calm that I so love 💖

Well, as you may recall from last blog, my Daddy left on Sunday early afternoon for Wellington to drop off a sousaphone to a customer who had just bought it. He left for Taupo (3.5) hour drive and stayed the night. I purr text him to make sure he was ok. He left Taupo at 4am on Monday for Wellington and delivered the sousaphone at 9am, (5) hour drive. After visiting Trent Hamilton who was the gentleman that interviewed Daddy and did some reviews on BAC Musical instruments, then drove all the way back to Auckland (9) hour drive because he couldn’t stay another night without me sleeping on his lap. Well, that’s what I think but Mummy and Alfa say different. He arrived safely and that’s all that matters. I still think he was a little crazy…..

The week was very busy because it was my week to generate sale and make things happen, and happen it did. Daddy didn’t get home till late on Monday night so with Daddy we had to work a little harder. On Tuesday, we sold a Yamaha YAS475 Alto Sax to a family that were going to give their son it as a great surprise.. Lucky boy!!!! 

On Thursday, we sold the first and only Selmer Paris Axos Tenor Sax in New Zealand to a family that purchased a Selmer Paris Axos Alto sax a couple of years ago. 

On Friday, a Yamaha YHR668 French Horn and a Yamaha YFL311 flute arrived in for stock from Japan. Both instruments look fantastic and the French Horn is already done and ready for a new owner. As if Friday wasn’t already busy, a Yamaha YAS34 Alto Sax has found a new home in a local school. It’s truly a week of saxophone sales 😺

I won’t be seeing much of Daddy this week as he will be performing in 4 concerts during the week. Right now he is in rehearsals with the MSO in a production with NZ OPERA, in a work written and composed by the legendary Tim Finn!!!! He will be playing guitar and piano in this production. Busy Busy Daddy. 

Time again to rest my head and sleep. The sun beaming on my head, tummy full, and Alfa keeping her distance. Life is good 😼🐾🐾 

Bye Bye Sousa…….Daddy is CRAZY!!!

Good afternoon all you lovely people. It’s a warm Sunday afternoon here in the house of TOOT 😺 The temperature is nice, the sweet breeze is comforting and I am feeling much better thank you all for you kind and meaningful messages. As many of you out there in kitty-land know that I haven’t been myself for a while. Not eating and sleeping all the time was how I was. Well, with the finest of food and Alfa staying away from my food dish, has helped me get better. Like a very brave cat, I have been taking my medicine drops in my mouth and have complained little. I must keep a brave face as Alfa watches my every move. I set the tone and the standards. I am Queen Zara! 😻

This week has been a very busy one indeed. Of course, because it is my watch and control. We started the week off with an American King Cornet sale. This handsome cornet came complete with accessories and the famous DR TOOT  One Year Free Maintenance Warranty Service. On Tuesday a shipment arrived from Japan carrying many accessories and a Professional Yamaha French horn and a Yamaha YCL650 Wooden Clarinet. Our Repair Team of 3 got stuck in and serviced these instruments faster then an Alfa eating a fishy meal. On Thursday in a wink of an eye, the French Horn was sold to a young budding musician here in Auckland. On Friday the large white snail, (Sousaphone) was sold to a gentleman in Wellington. This instrument comes complete with mouthpiece and accessories including a gig bag case…..more on this later….On Saturday a young man with his mother came in to try and buy a Yamaha YTS61 Vintage Tenor Sax. Man could that boy play!!!! After they bought it and left, we received an email from another customer in Wellington wanting to buy the Yamaha YCL650 Clarinet that arrived here with the French Horn. Wow!!! Things move very fast on my watch 😸

Now about the Sousaphone…. As I mentioned, it comes with a gig bag case. This is a soft case and not great for couriering around the country. So, Daddy in his craziness and pride in service, was going to leave at midnight on Sunday night and personally drive down to Wellington and deliver it to him personally. But last night the Prime Minister announced that Auckland again was going to Level 3 which means Auckland is in lockdown and travelling outside of Auckland was not permitted. Mummy, Alfa and I think he was crazy to even think of this....

Time to sleep now and rest.  Daddy had to play in a concert in Takapuna this afternoon but like many things….it has been cancelled. Let's hope that we will go back to Level 1 again soon !!! 

Getting better and putting on the Ritz

Good afternoon, my fellow subjects and welcome to another exciting time with Zara 😻 Since last we spoke, you will all be happy to know that my health seems better and I am slowly putting on some needed weight. Unfortunately, Alfa too is continuing to put on weight 🙀  When I leave my plate, she dashes in so fast to bolt down the remaining scraps in my bowl. She is a food magnet! I am now on regular food and still taking my medicine of potassium and pain relief. Thank you all for your support and thoughts. It all helps 🙏

This week has been a very busy week with instrument repairs and new stock. We have seen many saxophones arriving for stock. From Japan we received a pre-loved Yamaha Silver plated YAS62 Alto Sax and a YAS475 Alto Sax. Both instruments looking great and this week will be listed on our website.  Also arrived this week was New Zealand’s first “Selmer Paris Axos Tenor Saxophone” here for sale. This an absolute beauty. Almost as beautiful as me 😺 It is also at an incredible price. Just $7995. I know that for some it seems very high but for those in the know, it is a great price for a professional Selmer Paris new Tenor Sax. Imagine how many cat food that would buy?

Apart from the many many accessories we sell every week, we sold a new J.P. Tenor Horn and yesterday we sold a new Briccialdi 203 student model flute to a young man looking for a great flute. He has been playing for only one year but wanted a good flute to carry on for many years to come. With the many great instruments we have in stock, I think there will be many more sale to come in the weeks ahead. Speaking of weeks ahead…..Easter is coming fast and this year we are sponsoring the Tauranga Youth Jazz Competition.

Now as many of have maybe already noticed, DR TOOT was in the Spot Light on Trent Hamilton’s Instruments Reviews. The first of his reviews on the BAC Paseo Trumpet is now out there for all to see. A huge thanks and Purr Purr goes out to Trent. If you haven’t seen it already, please take the time to view this and many other reviews Trent had done. I know you will enjoy them as much as Mummy and Daddy do.

Well it’s another hot day, so I better go outside and relax. Happy Valentine's Day to all you little Darlings out there. My Daddy is still my best Valentine……don’t tell Mummy! 😼😻😸

Been a hard week for me….

Good afternoon, my fellow subjects and follower of good taste and cultured chats. As I said the last time I spoke that I am eating less and sleeping more. This has been a concern of my staff, (Mummy and Daddy), so on Wednesday Daddy took me to the Animal Hospital. They were very shocked on how much weight I had lost and took some blood and urine tests. Neither of those tests were comfortable to give. The results came back the next day showing that my kidneys, liver and heart is good and I seem healthy in that way. The weight loss is still a mystery but I have been prescribed dosages of Potassium and something to ease my pain. I will return for another check up in 2 weeks and hope to have gained some weight. Because of my weight loss, Mummy and Daddy are giving me very special and yummy food which I have in a separate room so that Alfa doesn’t eat any of it. I do my best but I am still not eating as much as I should. I still love my biscuits and am drinking lots of water. Please wish me well. Alfa is being very kind and supportive of me and I have given her some of my day to day duties to carry out. The Vet mentioned the “C Word” in front of me. Paws crossed that it isn’t that…..

As I haven’t been 100% this week, I have only managed to do a couple of sale of instruments but many accessories sales. The week started off with a sale of a Buffet Greenline R13 Clarinet that had recently arrived from Japan. It has gone to a new home in Auckland. On Sunday a family came over to see us and looked at a Yamaha Intermediate Trumpet for their son. He has only been playing for a few years but made a lovely sound on it. Another instrument from DR TOOT has found a new home in this beautiful country of ours 😺

Well it’s time to say good bye for now and I am sure I will be feeling better soon. Alfa needs to loose weight and I need some of her FAT. Please be thinking of me. I need your support…Meow Meow Meow 😻

The End is getting closer….

Yes it’s true. The pile on school instruments to be cleaned and serviced is getting smaller. The end of the repairs for school instruments is getting closer 🙀 We have already started on the private repairs and the Team is in full swing for that. Taka is in his “Taka Cave” working on a huge variety of stock and customer‘s woodwind repairs while Daddy and Jordan keep plugging away on the balance of brass & woodwind school instruments. It’s been many years since I have seen Daddy work on as many clarinets and saxophones as he has been doing. Usually Daddy is happy sticking with the brass repairs, but this time of year he is seen behind many clarinets and saxophones. Jordan is still learning but he is doing a good job on the many clarinets and saxophones he has to do. We are getting closer to the end…😺

More goodies have arrived from Japan. Instruments and accessories. A beautiful Buffet R13 Greenline Clarinet as well as a Yamaha YCL450 Clarinet and a Yamaha YTS62 Tenor Sax that was sold before Mummy could even list it. Many of the instruments that have recently arrive are orders made by people and schools. Remember that if you are looking for something special, contact us and we, (Mummy), will do her best to find one for you. This week a Buffet RC A Clarinet with double case has found a new home in Wellington and a Yamaha YTS62 Tenor Sax is now living with a special customer of ours on Waiheke Island. From near and far they go to homes where they will make beautiful music with their new owners 😻

The days here are so beautiful and we are so fortunate to live here in New Zealand where it is healthy and pretty safe. I spend my days eating a little and sleeping a lot inside and outside. Alfa spends her days eating, eating, eating and sleeping indoors. Zara is smart, Zara loving and beautiful, Zara is free….Be like Zara! I hear other cats say this about me. I try and stay as humble as I can 😼

Many things happening in NZ. One of them is the American Cup where boats that look like planes skim the water to see who is the fastest Humans find this exciting. For me it is as exciting as watching grass grow or paint drying. Oh well. It’s that time when I do another exciting thing and sleep on my fat, black, furry pillow. 

Have a great week every body and try and get outside as much as you can.😺

HAPPY Meow YEAR!!!

A Happy Meow to everybody. Alfa and I were able to stay up with mummy and daddy to welcome in the new year. 2020 has been a very unusual year for humans. Life goes on for Alfa and I. Humans and Alfa have been in lockdown which means they could not go out and meet many people. Alfa is a house cat so she has to stay at home anyways. For me, 2020 was a good year to see much of daddy and mummy. I would have liked to see less of Alfa….🙀

I am getting old I think. I find it harder to get around and always seem to be very sleepy. Alfa is getting fatter and I am getting skinny. Mummy and daddy are going to take me to a cat doctor so I can have a proper check up. Mentally I am of course 200% but I am not as young as I use to be…..I think daddy is the same..lol

Even though DR TOOT is closed for the holidays, mummy and daddy are spending time in the shop. Holiday orders and questions about current and in coming stock. There are many instruments due here but because of delays in shipping from Japan and other countries, instruments are taking longer to arrive. This due we are told to the covid virus and we all must be patient. A few shipments did get through and they include a large amount of Gonzalez Reeds from Argentina and 2 intermediate Briccialdi flutes from Italy. We are expecting more goodies from Japan in the coming days and weeks.

We are into the 4^th day of 2021 and so far all is good. Again, here in NZ we went early, hard and fast into closing our boarders and enforced isolation. This has given the humanoids a lifestyle that does not require masks. Alfa and I have never had to use masks as we are always pretty healthy. …well I am anyways. It’s time to say goodbye for now and again wish you all a very Happy New Year. Stay safe, stay healthy and wash your paws. MEOW…MEOW…MEOW 😻😻😻

Only 5 days till Christmas!!

Alfa and I are counting the day till Santa leaves us some yummies to have for breakfast and dinner. We eat very well as you all know but on Christmas its extra special. Alfa’s body looks like it is Christmas everyday, if you know what I mean 🙀. This morning we had our drops and medicine to keep baddies from entering our body. After that we each have a manicure and pedicure to keep our nails not too long and sharp. Mummy cuts while daddy picks us up and we sit on his lap. I watch my weight and keep a slim figure. When Daddy picks up Alfa it is always a bit of a challenge. She is getting bigger and bigger...She says she is big boned, but I think its big tummy….

Well Mummy and Daddy Santa have been very busy this week. So many repairs keep coming in and the Team at DR TOOT are working very hard. As soon as a repair is done, Mummy is there to invoice it, check it over and sent it to a room for storage till it is picked up. Daddy is repairing, dealing with customers and organising the staff. He has been a bit grumpy recently due to all the many things he is doing inside and outside of work. Many little musical gigs and tonight Daddy will be playing his tuba with the Howick Brass on Stockade Hill in Howick. This is the Christmas concert that is held every year in Howick and performed by the World Famous (in Howick), Howick Brass Band 😻

Let's see what happened this week…..Apart from repairs and many accessories sales we had a Beautiful Italian made Briccialdi Intermediate flute sell and found a new home here in Auckland. I think so lucky girl will receive this for Christmas. These are amazing flutes that feature a solid silver head, open hole, split E and come with a B foot joint. This was our last one, but fear not! Two more are flying their way from Italy and should arrive very soon !!!

On Thursday a young man and his mum came in to look at our impressive range of Clarinets. We had a Selmer Presence Wooden Clarinet in stock and the boy’s eyes were staring at it. His teacher also plays a Selmer Clarinet and he wanted to own his very own Selmer Clarinet. Lots of excitement was felt here. Later that afternoon a couple came by. They both had a cat picture on their shirts. Very nice!!! The cat picture she had on hers looked just like me except of course I am more beautiful 😼

Well it is only 5 more sleeps till Christmas. On behalf of The Team at DR TOOT, Mummy, Daddy Queen Zara, and um….Princess Alfa, We wish everybody a PUUUUURFECT Christmas and Holidays. Stay safe, and good like me. Don’t eat too much like Alfa and like me always be kind 😺😸

MERRY CHRISTMAS… MEOW…MEOW…MEOW !!! 🐾🐾🐾

Its Officially SUMMER!!!

That’s right everyone. Summer is here and today is a beautiful day. Even thou it is summer there have been a few days that feel like winter. For me it doesn’t matter because I always wear my lovely black fur coat. Our humans on the other paw struggle with what they are going to wear. This week has had rain and sunshine and plenty of wind. Sometimes I go outside and sleep on a chair or stay indoors and sleep on a big fat furry pillow. I can choose….Alfa must stay indoors…hehehehehehe..😋

As it is my week we have had great sales. I am trying to remember how many Alfa did last week….oh, that’s right NONE🙀. She is a challenged cat so now worries. 😼

Let’s see now….Monday started off with a sale of a Yamaha 450 Clarinet. This a great wooden clarinet and like all DR TOOT instruments, has been checked and ready to go. Tuesday brought us a sale of an intermediate Briccialdi 1809 Flute. This amazing flute from Italy offers a solid silver head joint, open hole keys with split E and a B Foot too. All of this for under $2000. That’s incredible! Wednesday popped around and one lucky customer has bought from DR TOOT. A lovely Yamaha 650 clarinet that too has been checked over by our amazing repair team. All of these sales, can get a beautiful woman like me a little tired so I rested a bit. 

On Saturday a pre-loved Yanagisawa T901 tenor sax has found a new home and yes, today a Buffet E11 clarinet will be leaving our home tomorrow. A lot of our sales are online sales, so you don’t even have to be here to buy. This is a bit to complex for me. Well done me. Lets see if Alfa is able to make a sale next week….not!

Our first load of High School instruments were picked up on Friday and our living room was filled with instruments. All has been sorted and the TOOT Team knows what to do. Head down and bottoms up. Focus on work and get it done. Daddy is very busy with concerts as things playing wise comes to a close. 

Have a great week everybody and know that I am with you in heart and spirit. Keep it going baby..😍

All Seasons in One Day….and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

That’s how it has been everyday this week. We wake up and it’s lovely and calm, then soon it turns to windy and rain….then calm and warm. I wear the same fur coat, no matter what is happening outside. It doesn’t matter for Alfa because she is indoors all the time as she is just a house cat. Everyday for her is the same. I think this is why she does the prison break from the house as often as possible. She sees an opening in a door or window and boy can she move!  🙀 For me, well I spend a lot of my time sleeping. Alfa snores all the time and it isn’t easy to relax.

The week started in a very royal way. On Monday, it was my birthday and I have turned 13 years old ( 13 cat years) / (91 human years). I feel so good and grand. I would love to say thank you to all the millions of cats and humans that wished me a very happy birthday. I deserved it. 😻

To start the day off I sold a pre loved Yamaha YAS 380 Alto Sax. I believe they knew it was my special day and waited till Monday to buy it from me. I have heard from many that they wait till its my turn till they put their paw on an order. On Tuesday, one of our beautiful Italian Briccialdi flute found a new home locally. She loved the sound, feel and looks of the flute and before you could say “Briccialdi”, the flute was sold. Just like that!! Wednesday was the day that a pretty rare and stunning oboe too had found a new home in Auckland. Everybody has been so happy with their new instrument which always makes me feel very happy. Also on Wednesday a Yamaha 311 flute was sold and will soon find a new home in Christchurch. Busy busy busy girl I am and I only get better with age.😺😸

It has been a very busy week for the repair shop too. Many repairs are coming in and going out. Please don’t leave it too late as time is running out and many have already left it too late. Speaking of late. Daddy has had a few late nights as he has been at many rehearsals this week. Daddy and I are both pretty sleepy so might just catch a little zzzzzzz. Until next time…….😴😴😴

Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Trombones…..

It’s been a very interesting week….

The week for me started off with a sale of a beautiful Yanagisawa, pre loved Tenor Sax. The customer knew exactly what they wanted and were excited to have this lovely instrument. What makes an instrument really special is the time and experience to properly set it up in it’s best balance condition. Keys set up at the right height and keys feeling smooth and pads covering very well. We are very lucky to have Taka as our senior woodwind tech to make sure that the woodwind instrument will perform at its best 😻

Many shipments arrived this week from all over the world. Bambu cleaning swabs and accessories from Argentina, Gonzalez Reeds, too from Argentina and B.A.C. Trumpet and Trombone from America. We deal with many manufacturers, from all around the world.

This week there were elections in America which Daddy has been interested in. It’s about who rules the area and who is in control. That’s easy here. I am in control and I rule over mummy, daddy and Alfa. We don’t need votes or agreements to make this happen I am Queen Zara and that is it!  FINAL 😺😼🙀

Repairs are starting to come in, in large numbers. Already school instruments are coming in and bookings are essential. Don’t leave it to the last minute to book your instrument in for a service if you need it for exams or performances.

On Saturday, a group of people including a lad who’s name is Declan came here to try a few trombones. I was outside listening and he had a a beautiful sound. I looked up and was so surprised that this lovely mellow sound was coming from a lad of 13 years old! Such a mature sound from someone so young. After a while, he settled on a B.A.C. Artist Series Elliot Mason Trombone. Wow!!! He looked so cool with it too. Well done Declan. We look in hearing more from you in the future……watch this space.

Time to sleep again. I am getting more tired nowadays. Maybe an age thing or putting up with Alfa snoring and naughtiness. Thank you again my fellow followers for listening to my fine and thoughtful words 😎😻😸