HOW WE CARE FOR YOUR FLUTE

  • COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE

  • CLEAN, OIL & ADJUSTMENT (COA)

  • OVERHAUL

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE

Regular servicing is essential to maintain your flute in top playing condition and retention of value. In the interests of looking after your instrument, we recommend our Comprehensive Service every 12 months, and certainly not more than 18 months, to ensure optimum performance and longevity.

 

A Service involves complete disassembly of the instrument; the body, headjoint and footjoint are wiped down, not polished (see description below). The keys are cleaned as well as possible without disturbing the pads and bumpers. Springs are tested and replaced if necessary. The headjoint cork is tested and replaced if needed. All pads and bumpers are examined. Up to and including 3 pads, as well as all necessary corks and felts are replaced. An extra charge will be quoted for additional pads.

CLEAN, OIL & ADJUSTMENT

(Included free for the first twelve months after purchase of a brand new instrument)

A COA involves disassembly of the instrument; the body, headjoint and footjoint are wiped down, not polished (see description below). The keys are cleaned as well as possible without disturbing the pads and bumpers. Springs are tested and replaced if necessary. The headjoint cork is repositioned if needed. Mechanisms (including rods, rod screws, pivot screws, rollers and hinge tubes) are cleaned and oiled. Key-to-key adjustment, key height and lost motion are all regulated. Pads and bumpers are examined and the pads are re-shimmed as required to cover with a light touch. No pads are replaced. If pads need replacing, the job becomes a Comprehensive Service.

The instrument is then play-tested and re-adjusted as necessary.

OVERHAUL

Full Re-pad & Mechanical Restoration

The flute is completely stripped down. The body and mechanism are cleaned and hand polished. An extra charge for polishing may apply depending on the condition of the flute. Dents are removed. Tone holes are corrected as needed and faced true. Springs are tested and replaced if necessary. The head cork is replaced and adjusted. All pads, corks and felts are replaced. All mechanisms (including rods, rod screws, pivot screws, rollers and hinge tubes) are cleaned and oiled. Pads are seated to cover with a light touch. Key to key adjustments and key heights are regulated. The mechanism is tightened to remove lost motion due to regular wear and tear.

The instrument is then allowed to set, re-examined for regulation, and lastly, play-tested over several days.

PLEASE NOTE: Extraordinary repairs such as keys and toneholes that require re-soldering, catastrophic damage and dents, replacement of screws and steels, and bearing replacement will be quoted in addition to the overhaul price.

CLEANING

Cleaning the body and keys of the flute is part of both a COA and Comprehensive Service. The flute is thoroughly wiped down with a microfibre cloth, removing fingerprints and surface dirt. This is not a polish and the appearance of the flute after a clean will not significantly change.

POLISHING

The body, headjoint, footjoint and all keys are thoroughly cleaned and polished, removing all tarnish. Almost all polishing at Flutes & Flutists is done by hand with occasional use of machinery where appropriate or necessary.

Polishing is done only at the client’s request and is charged by the hour. The condition of the flute will be assessed, and you will receive a quote before any work commences.

OTHER REPAIR SERVICES

All other repairs are based upon examination and consultation. We'll present you with a recommendation and an estimate reflecting time and materials prior to doing the work. Only very minor repairs can be completed "while you wait".

Check out some of our special modifications and restorations in the link below.

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