What do you do about sticky pads?
We have all been there. You are in a practice room or on a stage and that dreaded silence killer comes back to haunt you, the sticky pad! Before we can address how to fix the sticky pad we need … Continued
“Cheap” Saxophones – Is there such a thing?
As U.S. instrument manufacturers continue to merge with one another or close up shop altogether it’s getting more and more difficult to purchase quality student (and sometimes even intermediate) level instruments. Not long ago we could tell a student’s parent … Continued
Overhaul or Lamp – Brass Edition
Just like with woodwinds we always see lots of “closet / attic” brass instruments coming in to the shop this time of year. We’re all looking to save a little money wherever we can so when it comes to … Continued
Overhaul or Lamp? Woodwind Edition
We see so many instruments at the beginning of the school year that have been hiding out in a closet for the last twenty or so years just waiting patiently for someone to play it again. When it emerges from … Continued
Clean your mouthpieces!
In our shop the technicians have their own mouthpieces to play test every instrument that they repair. It’s a good thing too because the mouthpieces that we see in the cases are gross!!! We often go over swabbing out woodwinds … Continued
Oiling Key Mechanisms
Too many times this year we have had the displeasure of trying to remove an extremely rusted hinge screw from a binding key and post. There is a very simple solution to prevent your instrument from looking like this: … Continued
Brass Care and Maintenance
As Repair Technicians there are certain maladies we see every day that are totally preventable if instruments are treated with care and properly maintained. In the most recent issue of the School Band and Orchestra Magazine (SBO), there is an … Continued
The truth about dents!
How do you know the difference between a dent that will affect the playability of an instrument and one that is simply a cosmetic annoyance? For many years players were told that the closer the dent is to the mouthpiece … Continued
At Home Brass Instrument Cleaning
In order to maintain your brass instrument it MUST be chemically cleaned at least once a year. In between your chemical cleanings, it is also a good idea to bathe your brass instrument. Keeping it free of dirt and grime … Continued
What’s up with cases?
Are cases really all that important? Yes! Aside from the convenience factor of being able to transport your instrument in a smaller more convenient package, they are also there to protect your horn. The case nesting is cut from protective … Continued