Repair by you or me.
When should I bring in my flute for a checkup? What will you do? How long will it take and how much will it cost?
One year is a good benchmark for bringing in your instrument for adjustments.
When will my flute need an overhaul? What will you do, how long will it take and how much will it cost?
I have seen flutes last anywhere from four to thirteen years with consistent playing before needing overhauls.
How much do you charge for a repad?
I don't do just repads. Replacing all pads in the flute results in having to make adjustments throughout the mechanisms. Most work in an overhaul centers around the replacement of pads and resultant adjustments.
What kinds of flutes do you work on? Who are your clients?
I work with a wide range of flutists in the San Francisco Bay Area: professionals, students, accomplished adult amateurs, the semi-professional, the "intermediate" player who doesn't feel like a beginner
What kind of pads should I get for my flute?
I work with high quality felt pads and Straubinger pads. I do not install but can work with synthetic, gold, or cork pads. If they can work on your instrument, I strongly recommend that you install Straubinger pads.
I saw a flute repair kit for sale on eBay. Is it worth buying to repair my flute? Or, what should I get if I want to repair my own flute?
If you are going to put the effort into repairing your flute, then you should use high quality materials.
I have trouble playing my flute. Then I gave it to someone else to try and s/he said there was nothing wrong with it. So it’s fine and it’s just me, right?
This isn't always easy to figure out.
Can you add extensions to my flute?
Quite a few flutists are modifying keywork for comfort using a variety of solutions. The only caveats that I have about this are to make certain that added weight from extensions isn't a problem,
Do you work on other instruments?
I work on C flutes, piccolos, alto flutes in G, Bass flutes in C, and, yes, even the occasional contrabass flute. I work on modern and vintage instruments, which means that I know a bit about the fun and funky flutes of the latter part of the 18th and the 19th century. There really is not much that I can do
What contributes to a flute or piccolo going out of adjustment?
Flutes are quite different and therefore some tend to stay in better adjustment than others. These are significant factors affecting your instrument's stability.
I need to attempt an emergency repair by myself — NOW!
These are my recommendations for someone trying to undertake an emergency repair by him or herself.
I need to attempt an emergency repair by myself — NOW! Part 2
Now that you have done the following
