Robust Design
Stainless Steel
No turning screws, adjusting wheels, or flimsy handles and sliding base.
Durable construction with fewer components. Rust-resistant and easy to clean.
Light-weight
Portable
Portable and travel-friendly, weighing half as much as traditional gougers.
It needs no setup time.
Long-lasting
One-Push
5 Blades work together, produces consistent results with high tolerance for cane selection.
Each blade shares 1/5 of the workload so it stays sharp for up to 50 times longer than a traditional gouger. When its time to renew the blades, installing a replacement is as easy as playing with Legos.
Set your desired thickness
Producing an optimal curvature for maximum power and embouchure comfort, delivering a robust tone with vibrant colors, tremendous dynamic range and, no sagging high notes
Inside of the Box
The Dream Gouger
A Handle
A C-Clamp
The "To-go" Dial Indicator
Two Allen-wrenches
A mini Plane
Two extra final blades
Blade "A" for thicker sides
Blade "C" for thinner sides
Patented
We are proud to announce that our design and details have been patented in multiple countries. This efficient and ingenious design is protected for the love for the profession and MusEcho's unwavering inventive spirit.
Bundle with the Dream Gouger
Consider purchasing the Dream Gouger bundle to obtain the Double-end Guillotine at a more affordable price.
Why the Dream Gouger?
Compact design with high quality rust-resistant body yet light weight.
Low Maintenance with long-lasting blades provides your gouged cane a shiny surface.
Less component yet adjustable makes it more consistent and personalized.
Creating beautiful cane curvature ensures great tone colors, big dynamic range, high note stability and sensitive responses.
Q & A
Do I need to soak the cane before gouging? or Can I gouge a soaked cane?
No need to soak the cane. In fact, We don't recommend soaking the cane as it may cause moisture and dirt to accumulate inside the machine with cane shavings, leading to unexpected issues. If you happen to gouge a wet cane, be sure to dry it thoroughly before use.
Do I need to pre-gouge the cane?
You don't need to pre-gouge the cane because the first blade on the gouger serves as a pre-gouger. However, feel free to use your pre-gouger on a cane that you think is too thick.
I am curious what the curve of the gouger is based on or similar to?
The curve is a unique blend of the stability of a Ferrillo Gouge and the flexibility of an Innoledy Gouge. It falls somewhere in the middle and provides a feel similar to a more vibrant Ross Gouge.
How do I change the blade when its dull?
Although the blades share the workload and can last for a long time, eventually they will need to be replaced. We have included an allen wrench in the box to make the process of removing the dull blade and replacing it with a new one simple for our customers. A new blade can be purchased for $40.
How do I keep it clean?
To clean your machine, we recommend using an air-duster to blow off the cane shaves and wiping the surface with a clean, dry cloth. Regular lubrication will also help keep your machine in good condition.
What should I do if a cane got stuck in the machine?
If it gets stuck halfway, use another piece of cane to push the stuck one out. If that doesn't work, carefully remove some or all of the blades using the allen wrench included in the box, and remember to put them back in the correct order.
How do I prevent the cane from stuck?
1. Firmly hold the cane down against the gouger bed before it goes under the pressing wheel.
2. Opt for thinner canes.
3. If the batch of tube cane is too thick and strong, consider pre-gouging it.
How is the warranty?
We are pleased to offer a one-year warranty to all of our customers.
What is the return policy?
If you are not satisfied with the machine, we provide a full refund within two weeks of the receiving date.
Would there be a model for European style?
Absolutely, the included A/B/C blades are providing different curves for all people world-wide, and it is a standard feature now.
May I change the curvature to better suit my needs?
Certainly, we have released A/C final blades alongside of the standard B blade. A for thicker sides, C for thinner sides to provide more center-side ratios to serve the needs of oboists all over the world. More curvatures will be available in the future.
How to use it?
Understanding the Cane Pusher Mechanism
The cane pusher is designed to move the cane through the blades smoothly. Since the cane pusher cannot be taller than the final thickness setting (e.g., 0.57mm), it retracts when passing through the blades. The side mechanism ensures the cane pusher moves downward, allowing it to navigate through the blades without causing damage.
Proper Usage
To ensure successful operation:
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Place your finger at the end of the cane next to the cane pusher to keep the cane snugly against the pusher. Be careful of your finger and remember to pull it back when the cane pusher reaches the wheel.
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If the cane end is tilted, the cane pusher may slide underneath, causing a false gouge and potentially cracking the cane, leading to it getting stuck in the blades.
Troubleshooting Stuck Cane
If a cane gets stuck:
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Loosen all 10 screws (excluding the two with springs) by about two free turns.
- Use pliers to grab the cane from the entrance side or gently push the front side of the cane while wiggling it until it comes out.
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Clean the blades with an air duster and tighten the screws. Your gouger should work fine again.
Handling Different Cane Densities & Pre-Gouge
Some cane brands, such as Rigotti, have higher density and thickness, resulting in more resistance and potential cracking during the gouging process. To address this:
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Pre-gouge the canes before using the Dream Gouger for a higher success rate.
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If you don't have a pre-gouger, you can convert the Dream Gouger into one by removing 3 of the 5 blades and leaving the two blades next to the wheel on the gouger. This way, the gouge will only gouge down to 1.0mm in thickness, reducing resistance and easing the process.
Reassembling the Blades
When reassembling the blades:
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Ensure they are in the correct order. The blades are numbered (you will find the number indicating the thickness of the blade on the bottom of each blade), with larger numbers closer to the wheel.
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for Oboe gouger the blade order is: Free blade, spring pusher, 0.70mm, 0.85mm, 0.10mm, flat.
(interval may vary with different models)
Maintaining Your Gouger
To maintain your Dream Gouger:
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Use lubricating oil or WD-40 to restore the gouger to good condition.
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Lubricate the sides and base of the moving bed.
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Wipe off any excess oil to keep the gouger clean.
Adjusting Thickness
To change the final blade thickness:
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Adjust the two nubs at the end. Turning the "-" nub reduces thickness, while the "+" nub increases it.
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A quarter turn equals approximately 0.01mm in thickness adjustment. For instance, to increase the thickness by 0.02mm, turn the "+" nub counter-clockwise by half a turn and lock the blades by fastening the "-" nubs. For a thinner gouge, turn the "-" nub first and then lock it with the "+" nub.
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To adjust the gouge to be thicker (as shown in the 1st video), turn the "+" nub counter-clockwise first. Then, turn the "-" nub counter-clockwise until it can no longer move. This will raise the blade and lock it in position.
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To adjust the gouge to be thinner (as shown in the 2nd video), turn the "-" nub clockwise first. Then, turn the "+" nub clockwise until it can no longer move. This will lower the blade and lock it in position.
Customer Satisfaction
The Dream Gouger has received numerous positive reviews for producing high-quality, consistent cane. As a new invention, we recognize there is always room for improvement. At MusEcho, we are committed to providing the best service and continuously improving our products to ensure reliability and excitement for our customers. Your feedback means a lot to us and it will propel us to create better tools for the future.
Thank you for your support!