Woodwind Repairs

It is generally recommended by both manufacturers and repairers that woodwind instruments be professionally set up at least every 12 - 18 months depending on the age and usage of the instrument. Poor regulation and worn or improperly seated pads will cause your instrument to be more difficult to play and intonation may also be adversely affected - you will be surprised at how much more responsive and richer sounding a properly adjusted instrument is.

Repair turnaround times obviously Vary depending on workload and the work required. Repairs can be booked in advance to minimise waiting time. Please call to discuss your requirements.

Set-up: This involves a full and meticulous inspection of the instrument and all key mechanisms, pads are correctly seated where necessary and all regulation adjustments are made, all rod and pillar joints are lubricated. Wooden instruments will have the bore oiled with an organic bore oil. the instrument is then given a full Magnehelic leak test (except saxophones) before being fully play tested.

 Service: This involves a full inspection of the instrument and all key mechanisms before stripping it down. Play is taken up on loose keys and the pillars and keys are all cleaned and polished. Plastic instruments are washed of all grease and tone holes are cleaned and checked for chipping. Pads, corks and springs are changed where necessary. Wooden instruments are cleaned and treated with organic bore oil (optional). All pillar and rod screws are cleaned and de-greased and the heads buffed. The instrument is then re assembled and and keywork lubricated, pads are seated and spring tensions are altered where necessary, the key mechanism is then fully regulated and the instrument play tested.

Re Pad: As service option with replacement of all pads. Various pad and resonator options are available.  Please call for further details

Kangaroo Skin Pads: Kangaroo skin pads are quickly gaining in popularity as one of the best padding materials available for woodwind instruments. It is very tough and hard wearing and is noted for its non stick properties making it popular with musicians and instrument technicians alike.  I always endeavor to keep up with the latest improvements and best materials available for our work at MI Repairs and have recently bought a large stock of both clarinet and saxophone pads.

However,  I had assumed that as kangaroo skin is widely used for a number of sportswear brands and that the meat is also available in some restaurants that there would be an organised and humane farming system behind the sale of Kangaroo products. It has recently been brought to my attention that this is in fact not so. Wild kangaroos are hunted, hunters and hunting methods are poorly regulated and much of what I have found out is shocking and heart rending to say the least. Sir Paul McCartney has voiced his concern over this barbaric trade - follow this link for further details. Suffice to say that we will no longer be ordering any more kangaroo product after current stocks are depleted.