Woodwind musical instrument repairs and servicing.
I offer a free no obligation assessment. Please call to book an appointment
I am based in Cirencester and provide servicing in the Swindon, Cheltenham, Gloucester and surrounding areas.
See below for service types
Checkover
Recommended every 18 months to 2 years for a woodwind instrument that is regularly used
- clean as much as possible without dismantling
- check for leaks
- replace cork as required
- re-seat pads as required
- regulate
- lubricate
- play test
Full Service
Recommended every 5 years for woodwind instruments
dismantle & clean
replace pads & cork/felt as required
remove minor dents
adjust and regulate
lubricate
play test
Overhaul
As per full service + all pads replaced
- key fitting checked
- key heights adjusted
- spring tension adjusted
- rods & posts checked for alignment
Common Saxophone Problems
Your saxophone is a highly complex machine that is a wonder of engineering ingenuity. If your saxophone is not working these are some common faults:
- Low notes not working – leaking Bb, B pads
- G, G#, D# keys not working – sticking or leaking pads, spring adjustment
- Keys not working / not closing – leaking pads, bent keywork or broken springs
- Mouthpiece loose on crook – cork replacement required
- Left Hand keys bent or misaligned – key bending
- Dents in bell or body – requires specialist tools to remove
- Octave key not working – bent mechanism stopping free movement
- Noisy sax keys – felts/cork missing or worn out
- High notes not working – octave key mechanism likely to be bent
- Missing sax buttons – pearl replacement or gluing
- Mouthpiece not working – problem with the sax mechanism
- Sound is airy or muffled – reed issue or pad clearance incorrect
Common Clarinet Problems
If your clarinet stops working, these are some common faults:
- Middle B, C, C#, Low E, F, F# difficult to speak – leaking pads
- A, Ab, Bb muffled – leaking pads or leaking
- Noisy keywork – missing cork
- Bent keys on upper joint – link key needs realignment and corking
- Tenon joints loose or too tight – recorking or threading
- Rod seized – lack of oil/ rust in steel rod
- Wood cracks – requires specialist pinning or gluing
Common Flute Problems
If your flute stops working, these are some common faults:
- Dents in body / head joint – specialist dent removal
- Notes difficult to speak – leaking pads, regulation
- Foot joint loose – requires tenon joint expansion
- All notes muffled/ difficult to speak – leaking head cork
- Head joint tight or loose – specialist adjustment