Shvi Soprano | MKS
Presentation
Designed by Karen Mukayelyan, an Armenian wind instrument maker known by the signature MKS, this soprano Shvi follows the traditional construction of this Armenian fipple flute. It is intended for musicians of all levels, from beginners to professional players. Carved from apricot wood dried for one to ten years, it is available in F, D (the most common key), C and H (B). Its length ranges from 24 to 32 cm depending on the key, and each key covers two octaves from its fundamental note.
Specifications
The instrument
- Key: Depending on the selected variant
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Range: Two octaves
- F: from F5 to F7
- D: from D5 to D7
- C: from C5 to C7
- H (B): from H4 (B4) to H6 (B6)
- Reference pitch: A = 440 Hz
- Number of holes: 8
- Level: All levels
- Mouthpiece: Fipple
- Finish: Traditional reddish stain
- Country of manufacture: Armenia
- Signature: Heat-stamped “MKS” mark
Materials and dimensions
- Wood: Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
- Drying: Natural, 1 to 10 years
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Dimensions:
- Length:
- F: 24 cm
- D: 27 cm
- C: 29 cm
- H (B): 32 cm
- Diameter: ...
- Length:
- Weight: 50 g
Included with the instrument
The Shvi comes in a soft fabric case (weight: ...). Learn more about the Shvi, its musicians and its musical world on our dedicated page.
Quality control by Gusan Instruments
Every Shvi is made in Armenia using traditional instrument-making methods. As with any instrument from a traditional workshop, it may show particularities inherent to manual work and differ slightly from the photos (wood grain, color), as explained in our guide to choosing your Shvi.
Before shipping, every instrument undergoes a quality inspection by Gusan Instruments, adapted to its type. For the Shvi, we check the intonation across its entire range, its airtightness, the ease of sound production, the precision of the tone holes, the absence of unwanted sounds, and the overall build quality of the instrument.
Each maker, workshop and range has its own manufacturing standards and specific characteristics. Gusan Instruments is not involved in the makers’ production: we act as an independent expert in evaluating and selecting the instruments we offer. The ratings below, established independently, apply to this model.
Overall sound: ...
Intonation: ...
Half-tone playability: ...
Ease of sound production: ...
Finish quality: ...
About the maker
Karen Mukayelyan, known by the signature MKS, is an Armenian wind instrument maker based between Yerevan and Yeghvard, active since 2001. His instruments are played by professional musicians, including Gevorg Dabaghyan. In April 2023, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia awarded him the title of “Folk Master” (Ժողովրդական Վարպետ), in recognition of his craftsmanship and his contribution to traditional Armenian crafts. He works without CNC machines: the wood of his Shvis is shaped on a lathe and their holes are drilled manually.
- Worldwide shipping
Every order placed on gusaninstruments.com is shipped from our premises in Armenia. Delivery takes an average of 2 to 15 business days.
For customers in Europe, some models may also be available through our partner store La Maison du Duduk, whose stock is based in France, with an estimated delivery time of 2 to 5 business days.
Depending on the model, ordering through maisonduduk.com may offer faster delivery and simpler shipping. We invite you to visit their website to check instrument availability.
For more details, please see our Shipping Policy.
All purchases are eligible for return or exchange, in accordance with the applicable terms. If you have any doubt, question or difficulty after receiving your instrument, our customer service team is available to assist you and will review your request carefully.
Each situation is reviewed individually, with the aim of offering you the most suitable solution: exchange, return or personalized assistance.
For more details, please see our Return, Exchange and Refund Policy.
Like all instruments from traditional lutherie, your instrument is a living object that may evolve over time depending on its use, its environment and its care. Improper storage, incorrect use or unsuitable transport may cause alterations to the instrument.
Gusan Instruments does not offer an additional commercial warranty on this instrument. In accordance with applicable regulations, the 14-day legal withdrawal period applies should you wish to return the instrument after receipt.
Beyond this period, your purchase remains covered by the legal guarantees that apply to any professional seller: the legal guarantee of conformity, which applies for two years from the delivery of the instrument, and the legal guarantee against hidden defects, which applies for two years from the discovery of the defect. These guarantees cover lack of conformity and hidden defects that make the instrument unfit for its intended use, and are exercised directly with Gusan Instruments as the seller.
For any question or difficulty after receiving your instrument, our customer service team is available to review your request carefully. Each situation is reviewed individually, with the aim of offering you the most suitable solution.
For more details, please see our Return, Exchange and Refund Policy.
Our instruments are shipped directly from Armenia. Shipping costs are calculated based on this point of origin, as well as the destination and the delivery method selected.
Depending on the destination country, customs duties, import taxes or additional fees may apply upon receipt of the parcel, in accordance with the regulations in force in the recipient’s country. These fees are not included in the displayed price and remain the customer’s responsibility.
We invite you to check with the customs authorities of your country before ordering, to find out about any fees that may apply to importing a musical instrument from Armenia.
