Instrument Repair
Clearwater's repair policy is to do the highest level of repairs for an affordable price. We believe every child should have a well performing instrument to aid in becoming a successful musician. Professionals need their horn to work great, but most don't make much in this town. (Support your local musician!)
Cyn has been repairing instruments for more than 35 years. We also have the most extensive tooling of any shop within 200 miles. Experience plus the right tools for the job!
Cyn has been repairing instruments for more than 35 years. We also have the most extensive tooling of any shop within 200 miles. Experience plus the right tools for the job!
Woodwind
Level One RepairWe clean the instrument reasonably without removing the keys.
Using special cleaning pads to get under the keys and small brushes to get the dirt, we then clean the bore with a sanitizing cleaner. All mouthpieces are thoroughly cleaned. We then regulate and straighten keys as well as remove minor dents where applicable. Flutes and surfaces are buffed. Saxophone necks and flute tenons are fitted for easy playability. |
Level Two RepairThe Instrument is disassembled.
Rods and key shafts are cleaned and oiled. Wooden parts are cleaned and oiled. The body and keys are polished. Minor dents are removed. Sax necks and flute tenons are refit for optimal contact playability. |
Other Additional Repairs*
* These services are not included in service Level 1 or 2, and are separate charges.
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Brass
Chemical Clean
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Slide WorkThis may include machine polishing the inside of the tubes.
Chemically cleaning the hand slide is required and included. |
ResonanceRemove tension in the braces by unsoldering them and moving them to where the instrument responds most freely. This can take an ok horn to be a great horn! We can free the tension of an instrument as well. This really changes the response, especially in the high and low registers.
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Why I still use good chemicals instead of the ultrasonic cleaning others use; I had heard a number of stories from other repair people about holes developing in instruments when sonically cleaned. Here are a few quotes from our forum:
"I had this happen to me just yesterday. Put an Olds Ambassador cornet into the ultrasonic and when it came out there was a hole in the leadpipe right next to the receiver. No outward signs of rot, but it was obviously there."
"an Ultrasonic "can" chew holes in things, In fact the test of if the machine is working is to put a piece of aluminum foil in for a few seconds. Give it a few moments and bet your socks there will be holes! It can create a hole in spots where red rot has already appeared, but it "should" be perfectly fine on anything that is routinely used in the instrument manufacturing industry. Of course there are instances of parts being over buffed, and thus being unusually thin, which "could" be perforated by ultrasonics....also, some of the new lightweight horns are at risk because of the thin metal."
So, being that I love your horn as much as you do, my philosophy is first do no harm. I may get a sonic cleaner someday as an addition, but I'll always trust my chems more. Professional brass players from all over the country trust me so I don't take chances.
"I had this happen to me just yesterday. Put an Olds Ambassador cornet into the ultrasonic and when it came out there was a hole in the leadpipe right next to the receiver. No outward signs of rot, but it was obviously there."
"an Ultrasonic "can" chew holes in things, In fact the test of if the machine is working is to put a piece of aluminum foil in for a few seconds. Give it a few moments and bet your socks there will be holes! It can create a hole in spots where red rot has already appeared, but it "should" be perfectly fine on anything that is routinely used in the instrument manufacturing industry. Of course there are instances of parts being over buffed, and thus being unusually thin, which "could" be perforated by ultrasonics....also, some of the new lightweight horns are at risk because of the thin metal."
So, being that I love your horn as much as you do, my philosophy is first do no harm. I may get a sonic cleaner someday as an addition, but I'll always trust my chems more. Professional brass players from all over the country trust me so I don't take chances.