Whatever your level of expertise, you deserve to have your instrument in excellent playing condition. Lets face it, whether student or pro, playing well is difficult enough, without having to fight against a leaky instrument.
Many players don’t have their instrument looked at until something goes wrong. A regular checkover can ensure that everyday wear and tear doesn’t cause problems, and can add to the longevity of your instrument.
Please be aware that I often have a waiting list of several weeks, and though I do my best to keep things moving, I can only work on one instrument at a time. For this reason, and because it’s the right way to look after an instrument anyway, I’d recommend having a regular service rather than waiting until something goes wrong. That way, you can keep playing, plus your instrument will stay in good shape and you may avoid expensive repairs, which are often needed when an instrument is neglected.
I try to help “walk-in” customers whenever possible, if it’s a quick job, but I can’t guarantee this of course, and although you are welcome to turn up with an emergency, contacting me to make an appointment is always better, as my working hours are flexible.
Here is a guide to the various levels of service we offer.
-
CHECKOVER SERVICE
-
The instrument is cleaned as well as possible without dismantling, checked for leaks, pads re-seated where needed, missing corks replaced, key action regulated, lubricated and play tested.
This is recommended about every 18 months / 2 years, for an instrument that gets played regularly. -
The instrument is cleaned as well as possible without dismantling, checked for leaks, pads re-seated where needed, missing corks replaced, key action regulated, lubricated and play tested.
This is recommended about every 18 months / 2 years, for an instrument that gets played regularly. -
ENQUIRE
-
FULL SERVICE
-
The instrument is stripped down, body, keys, rods and screws and pads are cleaned.
Wooden clarinets and oboes will have the body oiled, and loose posts where wood shrinkage has occurred will be rectified. Flutes and saxes will have dents removed, and the body checked for straightness – a bent body tube is more common that one would think – and rectified if needed.
Any necessary soldering is done. The body can then be ultrasonically cleaned if required.
During re-assembly, all pads are checked, carefully re-seated, or replaced where necessary. Cork, felt and springs are checked and renewed where necessary. Any bent keys straightened and worn or loose keywork will be tightened.
On flutes, loose foot and head joints are tightened. Mechanism is then regulated, and any double movement removed. The instrument lubricated and thoroughly play tested.
This type of service could be undertaken every 5 years or so, depending on usage. -
ENQUIRE
-
OVERHAUL / RE PAD
-
This is a complete mechanical re-build.
As per full service, plus all pads replaced with premium quality pads or those of customers choosing.
On saxophones, tone holes are checked and levelled if required, by raising, and/or careful use of dedicated rotary diamond files. Pad cups are checked, and straightened/levelled.
Key fit is checked, and if wear has occurred, this is taken care of, and a perfect key fit achieved by facing the hinge tubes and posts so they are perfectly smooth and level.
Key heights are set to the optimum, spring tension adjusted, and everything set up to make your instrument work to its best potential.
This may be a once in a lifetime job for many instruments, and the aim of this level of service is to get it playing as well as, or sometimes better, than when it left the factory. -
ENQUIRE
MINOR JOBS
A repair can be anything from replacing a tenon cork, straightening bent keywork, replacing a spring, or any of numerous other issues, charges for these jobs are based on time and materials. Quite often, a small tweak is all that’s required, which is always good news! There is a £5 minimum charge for small jobs – if it takes me just a few seconds, which can sometimes happen, you may get to walk out with your wallet/card intact, or you might want to put something in our charity jar.
PRICES
Understandably, I am often asked “How much will it cost?” The short answer is that it’s impossible to say without seeing the instrument, and each job is different, and it may, for instance fall somewhere between a checkover and a full service. For this reason, I don’t publish a price list, each job will be individually assessed, and discussed with the owner before going ahead. Cost is simply my hourly rate, plus the cost of materials, no hidden extras.