Squeaking, sticking, stuck, fallen off, or simply refusing to make a sound. A surprising number of “broken” instruments need a fresh reed, a drop of oil, or a two-minute adjustment — and a few genuinely need the bench, in which case the sooner we see it the cheaper it is. This section covers how to tell the difference, and what not to do in the meantime. Forcing a stuck mouthpiece or reseating a bridge yourself turns a free fix into a real repair.
Tell us. We have our own repair bench, and our technicians have worked on instruments backstage before a performance. For a rental that matters this much, we would rather come out and put it right than have you play on…
Please bring it to us instead. Repairs to our instruments need to be done on our bench, partly so the work meets the standard we set, and partly because outside repairs are not covered by the damage insurance. If getting…
Call us at (203) 957-8300 and describe what is happening, or bring it to the Norwalk shop. We are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and you do not need an appointment. A surprising number of broken instruments turn…
Small emergencies are usually while-you-wait at the counter: a stuck mouthpiece, a fallen bridge, a tuning. Ordinary bench work, pads, corks, a regulation, a seam, runs a matter of days depending on the season, and anything needing ordered parts or…
Yes. We repair all types of instruments, whether or not they came from us, and every job starts the same way: bring it in, and you will have an estimate for cost, time, and parts before any work begins. The…
Usually a broken rotor string, the braided cord that connects the finger lever to the rotary valve inside. It is a normal wear item on a French horn, and it goes without warning, often mid-rehearsal, which is why it always…
Almost certainly not broken. With no reed doing the work, most beginners take days or even a couple of weeks to make a first sound, and the fastest route there is practicing on the headjoint alone. This is the flute’s…
Sticking valves are nearly always dry, not broken. A trumpet’s pistons need oil a few times a week, not once a term, and most sticking valves are simply overdue. The fix: unscrew the top cap, lift the valve partway out…
Bring it to us or to the band director. A purpose-made tool called a mouthpiece puller removes a stuck mouthpiece in under a minute without leaving a mark, most band rooms and every competent shop have one, and it is…
Start with the reed. It is the most common and cheapest cause: reeds chip, warp, and wear out no matter how good the clarinet is, so put on a fresh one, seated straight and level with the tip of the…