Woodwind instruments
The repair of woodwind instruments demands attention to detail. Errors as small as 1/1000 of an inch can make the difference between a frustrating leak and a well playing instrument.
Seating pads, adjusting keys, preparing tone holes all require a thorough knowledge of musical instrument mechanisms and their operation.
As well as the most appropriate tools and resources, a good repairer needs to have diagnostic insight, mechanical ability, patience and concentration.
In addition to a great deal of maintenance needed for regular use, woodwind instruments are very susceptible to mechanical breakdown. The wooden parts of instruments change dimensions seasonally, sometimes to the point of cracking.
My shop is fully equipped to handle major structural repairs such as tenon replacement, saxophone dent work, tone hole reshaping and replacement, and key fabrication.
Brasswind instruments
These instruments are made of a soft and very reactive material. They are susceptible to damage and corrosion, and require frequent cleaning and lubrication to perform properly. I have 25 years of experience in repairing and restoring brass instruments, from antique and historical cornets to school sousaphones.
Regular cleaning is essential in preserving the usefulness and longevity of a brass instrument.
An extensive array of tools and parts is available, making repairs accurate and speedy.
Stringed instruments
All types of bowed stringed instruments heve been through my shop. I have done minor adjustments and setups to complete reconstructions of basses and cellos.
Many inexpensive instruments are not properly manufactured, leading to failure of critical parts, as can be seen in the poor fitting of this bass neck dovetail. I have repaired dozens of cello and bass neck breaks and separations.
Accordions and other free-reeds
.Accordions and concertinas hold a special place in my shop. I have played button accordion and concertina for Irish and contra dances for 20 years.
All types of repairs are done on site, including tuning.
Here are some pictures of an old Hohner Double Ray that I converted to C#D for my own use.
