FLUTE & PICCOLO REPAIRS

Most standard repairs and services are kept at the shop for 3 working days. Instruments requiring larger repairs such as a complete repad are usually kept for 3 - 5 working days.

Wood, Wind & Reed operate a bookings system so that you are without your instrument for as little time as possible. To avoid the need for unforeseen repairs we recommend that you have your instrument checked every 12 - 18 months and then book it in should work be required. You can make bookings up to a year in advance. School holidays fill up very fast so book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Same day, or overnight repairs can be carried out by prior arrangement and depending upon the amount of work required. Please contact Tim to discuss your repair.

COMMON SMALL REPAIRS

Replacement head cork
There is a cork in the head joint of your flute and piccolo just above the embrasure hole. If this becomes loose or moves out of position it will cause difficulty when playing and will put the instrument out of tune.

Replacing a broken spring
The thin pieces of wire and flat pieces of steel under each key are the springs. If these break they will need to be replaced.

Wobbly or loose joints
Over time the joints on a flute can become loose due to wear or mishandling. Depending upon the cause of the problem the time and cost of these repairs varies.

Tight joints
If the joints on your flute are becoming tight to fit together it is worth asking a repairer to take a look at the instrument. You should never need to use any form of grease to make the joints fit together. It can simply be a case of the sockets and tenons on the instrument needing a clean with a silver cloth. (Never use any form of liquid polish on a flute) If this does not help then there may be some underlying damage that needs to be looked at.

Broken or loose tenon corks (Piccolo only)
The cork around the top of the piccolo where the head joint goes on is known as the tenon cork. If this becomes loose or damaged it would need to be replaced.

Replacing a single small traditional pad only (C/Trill)

Replacing a single large traditional pad only

GOOD WORKING ORDERS, SERVICES AND REPADS

Good Working Order
A "good working order" is a repair to maintain an instrument in good playing condition. This type of repair would generally entail checking all pads but only replacing those that are totally beyond use. Pads which are worn and still sealing when played with a moderate finger pressure are left in place. Corks and felts are replaced if totally worn. The body and key work is not cleaned.
The aim of this repair is to keep an instrument operational at a good standard at the lowest sensible cost, whilst not fixing every small point on the instrument. Should Wood, Wind & Reed believe a larger repair is necessary they will advise the customer.

Service
A full service is the term used when an instrument is to be brought back to excellent condition but which is not so bad that it needs a repad. A full service would usually involve completely stripping down the instrument and cleaning all key work and body parts. Replacing any pads that are too worn to be re-seated or are unlikely to last a further six months playing, and replacing any tenon, crook, head or key corks as required. Key wear and dents are removed as discussed with the customer.

Repad
A repad would be carried out if the instrument is too worn to benefit from a full service. This form of repair would usually bring an instrument back to as-new playing condition. Repadding generally involves completely stripping down the instrument and cleaning all key work and body parts. Replacing all pads with new ones and replacing any tenon, crook, head or key corks that are unlikely to last a further six months playing. Thorough regulation of the instrument upon reassembly and careful balancing of all springs. Key wear and dents are removed as discussed with the customer.

Flutes have a wide range of pad types available to be put in them, each offering a different feel to the instrument. Where applicable we will discuss with the customer as to which type of pad would be most suitable for their instrument.

Premium Deluxe Pads
A high quality traditional flute pad used on all repairs unless otherwise stated. These pads consist of a card backing, layer of felt and double layer of bladder over all.

Red Sound Pads
Red sound pads are our recommendation for all professional flute repairs. The pads consist of a synthetic layer behind a thin layer of felt with a double layer of bladder over all. This creates a very stable pad which provides a firm immediate playing action. We prefer Red sound pads over other professional pad designs since they do not require making any alterations to the instrument upon fitting such as topping of the tone holes.

Muramatsu Alu Pad
These are designed for and available for Muramatsu flutes and come fitted to all modern Muramatsu instruments. Each pad consists of an alloy shell around the back, sides and centre of the pad, a thin layer of synthetic material, a thin layer of felt and a double layer of bladder over all. Each pad then sits upon a solid alloy washer within the pad cup giving it added stability. These again offer a very firm surface and more immediate response along with long-term stability.