Flute and Piccolo Repair
Saxquest specializes in mechanical overhauls, and total instrument restorations as well as personalized setups and custom key work. Our focus has always been on YOU as a player. Our shop philosophy is to approach each repair as a partnership with you. Each of our professional techs has over 20 years of experience working on student and professional flutes and piccolos, and we are happy to talk to you regarding your options in overhauling your instrument. Our head flute tech, Ben Reece, is Straubinger certified, so please inquire about having your professional flute repadded with Straubinger pads.
Minor Repairs are billed at a rate of $75/hr shop rate
Student Model Flutes & Piccolos
price for dent work and parts not included
Playing Condition for Student Model Instruments (Plus Pads)
Plateau Flutes $165 – Open Hole Flutes: $200 – Piccolo: $165
| Mechanism is removed from the instrument so it can be oiled. | Replace worn or missing key cocks, felts, or other silencers |
| Headjoint cork is checked for position & fit (Replace only if necessary at an additional charge) | Flute bodies are washed and dipped to remove tarnish and sanitize tubes. |
| Corrosion is removed from the hinge tubes, hinge rods, and pivot screws. | Minor lost motion is removed from the key mechanism. |
| Pad leaks are eliminated by shimming the pads. | Key mechanism is regulated to playing condition and venting height is adjusted |
| Case is cleaned inside and out | The instrument receives a final play test |
| 30 Day Warranty | |
Overhaul for Student Flutes
(pads included, body work billed separately)
Plateau Flutes (Bladder Pads): $350 – Piccolo (Valentino Synthetic Pads): $225
| Instrument is disassembled and the mechanism is refit. | Straighten rods and keys as necessary. Remove frozen keys and screws as needed. |
| Instrument is depinned and cleaned in detergent, then dipped in tamer to remove tarnish. | Easily accessible dents are removed from tubing and body tube is straightened if necessary. |
| All new pads, feet corks, and headjoint corks are installed. Pad leaks are eliminated by shimming the pads. | Regulate key mechanisms to top playing condition. (Excessively worn or damaged tone holes are by quote only) |
| Misalign posts are corrected. Lube screws and rods. | Clean case Inside and out |
| New springs are changed as necessary. | Instrument is polished and receives a final play test |
| 1 Year Warranty | |
Intermediate Model Flutes & Piccolos
price for body/dent work and parts/pads not included
Mechanical Overhaul for Intermediate Model Flutes
(pads and body work billed separately)
Open Hole Flutes (Bladder Pads): $550 – Piccolo (Valentino Synthetic Pads): $375
| Includes everything in a student Overhaul, plus: | |
| More thorough consideration is given to tonehole levelling | More attention is given to keyfitting to address both lateral and radial play |
| 1 Year Warranty | |
Professional Model Flutes & Piccolos
price for dent work and parts not included
Mechanical Overhaul for Professional Flutes
(pads and body work billed separately)
Flutes (Bladder Pads): $950 – Piccolo (Bladder or Cork Pads) $700 – Flutes (Straubinger Pads): $1500 – Alto Flute (Bladder Pads): $1250 – Alto Flute (Straubinger): $1600 – Bass Flute (Bladder Pads): $1550 – Bass Flute (Straubinger): $1700 – Contra Flutes: By Quote Only
| Mechanical problems or bent mechanisms are repaired (excessive damage by quote only) | Flute mechanism is refit (swedged) to precise tolerances. |
| Toneholes are mechanically levelled, imperfections addressed. | The pad retaining rings are cleaned and polished. Refit or replaced as needed (parts billed separately). |
| The mechanism is depinned and the hinge rods and tubes are cleaned and polished. | Soldered tone holes are checked for leaks. |
| The keys and tubes are washed and sanitized in detergent and water. Remaining tarnish is chemically cleaned. | All key corks, felts, and synthetics replaced with highest quality materials to facilitate a positive feel and lasting regulation. |
| Hinge rods and pivot screws replaced as needed (billed separately). | Springs (stainless, phosphor-bronze) will be replaced as needed (billed separately). |
| All pads are replaced using the highest quality treated, double skin, Straubinger or Lucien synthetic pads. | Keys are not bent to level the pad unless a repair is being executed. Shimming to tolerance of less than .001 of an inch is standard. |
| New headjoint cork is installed. | All accessible dents are removed. |
| Tenon fit is checked. | The embouchure hole is cleaned and polished. |
| Flute is tested and wiped down to remove prints and smears. | Case is cleaned. |
| 1 Year Warranty | |
Individual Services for Flutes and Piccolos:
| Head joint cork | $20 | Polish and flush | $50 |
| Refit tenon | $25 (minimum) | Hinge Rod Fabrication | $15/each |
| Solder broken ribs | $25/each | Solder joints (silver) | $30/each |
| Solder joints (soft) | $25/each | Stuck head joint | $25 (minimum) |
By Quote Only:
| Align bent body/tubing | Refinishing | Case Repair | Regulate |
| Clean sticky pads and tone holes | Repair damaged tenon | Cut out stuck hinge rods | Straighten bent hinge rods |
| Dent removal | Straighten bent keys | Excessively worn or damaged tone holes | Free binding keys |
| Key fitting | Make new hinge rods | Redress Tone Holes |
Request a quote and/or time frame for repair work.