Frequently Asked Questions

About Soundworks

Buying a sound instrument is a little different from buying an ordinary product. Many Soundworks instruments are handmade, individually selected and naturally variable. We want you to end up with an instrument that is right for you, so if you cannot find the answer you need below, please get in touch.

Who is Soundworks?

Soundworks was founded to serve professional sound therapists, as well as anyone looking for high-quality, individually made, professional-standard sound instruments. All of the instruments we stock are personally sourced and selected by Lyz Cooper, with a strong focus on sound quality, craftsmanship and suitability for therapeutic use.

We believe in the slower pace of quality. Many of our instruments are handmade or individually selected, and we take the time to make sure we choose the best instruments we can for our customers. This can sometimes mean waiting a little longer for the right instrument rather than simply sending whatever happens to be available.

Who chooses the instruments Soundworks sells?

All Soundworks instruments are personally sourced and selected by Lyz Cooper. We choose instruments for their sound quality, craftsmanship, reliability and suitability for professional and therapeutic use.

Are Soundworks instruments fairly traded?

We aim to ensure that the instruments we stock are fairly traded and that the makers and communities involved in producing them are treated responsibly. Many of our instruments are handmade by artisans and small communities using traditional skills and locally available materials.

Does Soundworks support the communities where its instruments are made?

Yes. Soundworks makes donations to projects supporting communities in the Himalayan region, including Help in Action and Food for the Poor Nepal. We will be sharing more about the projects we support and the communities behind some of our instruments on our website.

Ordering, Stock & Delivery

Is everything shown on the website actually in stock?

Not always. Most products shown on the website are available to order, but some specialist items may be offered on back order when they are not currently in stock.

Can I reserve or pre-order an instrument that is out of stock?

Please contact us and we will do our best to help.

How long will my order take?

Some instruments require specialist sourcing, and harmonised orders require Lyz Cooper to personally listen to and select the instruments. This means some orders can take longer than others. If you need an instrument by a particular date, please contact us before ordering and we will let you know whether we think that is likely to be possible.

Why might I have to wait for my instrument?

Many Soundworks instruments are handmade, individually sourced or personally selected rather than mass-produced. We would rather take the time to find and select a good instrument than rush an unsuitable one out simply because it is immediately available. It is part of what we mean by the slower pace of quality.

Can you send part of my order while I wait for another item?

Yes. If part of your order is delayed, we can usually send the available items separately. Postage is calculated according to the items being shipped. Where several items can be packed and sent together, we may be able to reduce the overall postage cost and will make an appropriate adjustment where possible.

Can I add something to an order I've already placed?

Please contact us as quickly as possible and we will try to add it to your existing order. We cannot guarantee that changes can be made once the order has already been processed or dispatched.

Can I collect my order?

Soundworks does not currently offer customer collection.

Choosing an Instrument

Can Soundworks help me choose an instrument?

Yes. Choosing the right instrument is an important part of what we do. If you are unsure about size, type or suitability for your intended use, please contact us and we can advise you.

Can you help me choose a Himalayan singing bowl?

Yes. Please contact us with details of your intended use, any instruments you already own, and your approximate budget, and we will do our best to advise you.

Harmonisation Service

What is the Soundworks harmonisation service?

Our harmonisation service is available for Himalayan singing bowls and gongs. When you choose this service, you are paying for Lyz Cooper's time and expertise to personally listen to and hand-select the instruments in your order. For Himalayan singing bowls, Lyz selects a group of bowls that works particularly well together. For gongs, Lyz can select two or more gongs that complement one another and work well together.

Does harmonisation mean you retune the instruments?

No. Harmonisation is a listening and selection service. The instruments themselves are not retuned. Lyz listens to the individual instruments and selects those that work particularly well together.

What happens if the sizes I order do not work well together?

If you have chosen our harmonisation service and Lyz feels that the exact instruments you selected do not make the best combination, we will contact you before making any substitution or change to your order. We will never silently substitute a different size or instrument as part of the harmonisation process.

Can you match a new Himalayan singing bowl to one I already own?

Yes. Make a short video on your phone of your existing bowl being played and send us the MP4/video file. Lyz can then listen to your existing bowl and personally select a new bowl to work with it. Our normal harmonisation service charge applies.

Can you match a new gong to one I already own?

Yes. Simply make a short video on your phone of your existing gong being played and send us the video file. Lyz will listen to it and can use the harmonisation service to select a new gong that works well with your existing instrument.

Crystal Singing Bowls

Are Soundworks crystal singing bowls tuned to 432 Hz or 440 Hz?

Soundworks crystal singing bowls are calibrated to concert pitch A=440 Hz. When people talk about "432 Hz tuning" or "440 Hz tuning", they are referring to the reference pitch used for A rather than saying that every bowl itself has a frequency of 432 or 440 Hz. You may see claims that 432 Hz has particular healing or therapeutic properties compared with 440 Hz. At present, there is no robust scientific evidence showing that 432 Hz has unique therapeutic effects. We prefer to work with the evidence and also we prefer 440Hz because many professionals like to combine their instruments with classically tuned instruments.

Can I use 432 Hz and 440 Hz crystal singing bowls together?

Yes. The difference between the two tuning references is relatively small and may not be particularly noticeable when bowls are played separately. If you are creating a matched musical set, however, it is generally preferable to use bowls with the same tuning reference because pitch differences can become more apparent when similar notes are sounded together.

Can I buy a single crystal singing bowl?

Yes. Single crystal singing bowls are available.

Can Soundworks source a replacement crystal bowl or a particular note?

Yes. If you need a replacement bowl or are looking for a particular note or octave, please contact us and we will see what we can source for you.

What comes with a crystal singing bowl or crystal bowl set?

Accessories vary between products. Please check the individual product listing for details of exactly what is supplied with the particular bowl or set you are considering.

Gongs

What comes with a gong?

The accessories supplied vary according to the individual product. Please check the individual product listing for full details.

Returns & Exchanges

Can I return an instrument if I change my mind or don't like its sound?

For standard items purchased online, please contact us within 14 days of receiving your order if you wish to make a change-of-mind return or exchange. The instrument must be returned in its original condition, undamaged and complete with its accessories. Please retain the original packaging wherever possible, particularly for fragile instruments such as crystal singing bowls. The customer is responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or Soundworks has supplied the wrong item. Bespoke, specially made and qualifying special-order items cannot normally be returned simply because you have changed your mind. Your statutory consumer rights are unaffected.

Who pays the return postage?

For a normal change-of-mind return or exchange, the customer pays the return postage. If an item is faulty or we have sent you the wrong item, Soundworks will cover the appropriate return cost. Please contact us before sending it back so we can arrange this with you.

What counts as a special order?

A special order is something that we do not normally stock and which is specifically sourced, ordered, adapted or made for you. Examples may include a particularly large Himalayan singing bowl or gong, an unusual type, colour or size, or an instrument specially made or adapted to your requirements. Special-order items are paid for in full when ordered and cannot normally be returned simply because you change your mind. This does not affect your statutory rights if the product is faulty, not as described or unfit for purpose.

International Shipping

Does Soundworks ship internationally?

Yes. Because many of our instruments vary significantly in size and weight, international shipping may need to be calculated individually. If a shipping price is not shown, please send us the item or items you want, destination country and postcode or ZIP code, and we can calculate a quote for you.

Will I have to pay customs charges or import tax?

International orders may be subject to local customs charges, duties or taxes depending on your destination country. We are not able to predict or guarantee the exact charges that may apply, as these are set by your local customs authority. We recommend checking with your local customs office if you are unsure.