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Woodwind Service Offerings
PLAYING CONDITION
Oil, adjust, & regulate mechanisms. Straighten bent keys, check alignment, and eliminate air leaks utilizing a Magnehelic Leak Tester. We can also replace individual pads/corks/felts at this time. After servicing, instrument is returned to its freshly vacuumed case. Also known as a "yearly tune up", this procedure is recommended as a minimum annual service.
COMPLETE SERVICE & CLEANING
Our Complete Service & Cleaning is ideal for instruments that do not require a Complete Repad & Mechanical Overhaul but are in need of a Playing Condition and disassembly to achieve a very thorough cleaning. This is recommended every 2-3 years as a step above our Playing Condition, and includes the following for each instrument:
- Saxophone - Disassemble instrument; Ultrasonically clean instrument/neck/mouthpiece in a safe biodegradable solution; clean and polish bore; hand polish silver plated or unlacquered instruments; hand clean keywork/hinge tubes/rods/pivot screws, reassemble instrument; oil all hinge rods; grease all pivot screws and rollers; play test and adjust for intonation & response. Instrument is returned to its cleaned and vacuumed case. *This service includes up to 6 key corks or felts. Additional key corks, felts, and any necessary pads are charged accordingly.*
- Clarinet & Double Reeds - Disassemble instrument; Ultrasonically clean plastic instrument/mouthpiece in a safe biodegradable solution; hand clean wood instruments; clean and polish bore; hand polish silver plated keywork; hand clean keywork/hinge tubes/rods/pivot screws, bore oil wood instruments; reassemble instrument; oil all hinge rods; grease all pivot screws; check for leaks utilizing Magnehelic gauge; play test and adjust for intonation & response. Instrument is returned to its cleaned and vacuumed case. *This service includes up to 6 key corks or felts. Additional key corks, felts, and any necessary pads are charged accordingly.*
- Flute & Piccolo - Disassemble instrument; Ultrasonically clean instrument in a safe biodegradable solution; clean and polish bore; hand polish silver plated instruments; hand clean keywork/hinge tubes/rods/pivot screws, reassemble instrument; oil all hinge rods; grease all pivot screws and rollers; check for leaks utilizing Magnehelic gauge; play test and adjust for intonation & response. Instrument is returned to its cleaned and vacuumed case. *This service includes up to 6 key corks or felts. Additional key corks, felts, and any necessary pads are charged accordingly.*
COMPLETE REPAD & MECHANICAL OVERHAUL
Our Complete Repad & Mechanical Overhaul service is for instruments in need of complete pad & key bumper replacement, key fitting, tonehole perfecting, thorough cleaning, and a list of other repairs. This service includes our One Year Guarantee, which covers all pads, bumper materials, adjustments, and a complementary Playing Condition. Below are descriptions of all the included procedures for each instrument:
- Saxophone - Disassemble instrument; remove all pads/key corks/felts/neck cork; Ultrasonically clean instrument/keywork/neck in a safe biodegradable solution; straighten & swedge keywork; check pad cups for flatness; fit pivot screws/posts; perfect toneholes; fit neck & receiver; straighten body (if necessary) and remove any minor dents; reassemble with new synthetic key corks/felts, premium leather pads, and your choice of our in stock resonators; play test and adjust for intonation & response. Instrument is returned to its cleaned and vacuumed case.
- Clarinet & Double Reeds - Disassemble instrument; remove all pads/key corks/felts/tenon corks; polish keywork; Ultrasonically clean keywork and hand clean body; bore oil wood instruments; straighten & swedge keywork; check pad cups for flatness; fit pivot screws/posts; perfect toneholes if necessary; install Teflon inserts; reassemble with new synthetic key corks/felts, natural tenon corks, & Valentino Masters Series synthetic pads; play test and adjust for intonation & response. Instrument is returned to its cleaned and vacuumed case. *Cork pads can be installed on the top joint for an additional charge.*
- Flute & Piccolo - Disassemble instrument; remove all pads/key corks/felts/crown cork; Ultrasonically clean instrument & keys; polish body, head, & keywork; straighten & swedge keywork; check pad cups for flatness; fit pivot screws/posts; perfect toneholes; straighten body (if necessary) & remove any minor dents; reassemble with new synthetic key corks/felts, premium pads, & fit/seal new crown cork; play test and adjust for intonation & response. Instrument is returned to its cleaned and vacuumed case. *Valentino Masters synthetic pads are used on Piccolos.*
SAXOPHONE RESONATOR OFFERINGS
Our in-stock resonators include plastic dome, seamless metal dome (Series III style), and metal dome with rivet hole (Series II style). We also have a limited stock of original Mark VI plastic dome, Buescher snap-in, and various other vintage resonators. Special order resonators include sterling silver/brass ResoTech Flat or Domed resonators, and MusicMedic Maestro.
SYNTHETIC MASTERS PADS (for Clarinet, Oboe & Piccolo)
We have been using synthetic pads on clarinets for years and in our opinion the Valentino Masters Series synthetic pads are the best around. Unlike traditional bladder pads, Masters Series Pads do not bloat or shrink due to humidity change and they do not crack or peel. The pad surface is precision cut which makes for a superior sealing pad, and they respond like a cork pad (the best of both worlds!).
The ultimate performance pads for professional instruments, Valentino Masters are the result of decades of experience working with leading artists, technicians and manufactures to achieve a standard of perfection unmatched by any other woodwind pad. Advanced materials and cutting-edge construction offer a level of precision that makes these the favorites of technicians who service professional instruments and they provide extraordinary dynamic range and exquisite feel that are essential to the professional musician.
The ultimate performance pads for professional instruments, Valentino Masters are the result of decades of experience working with leading artists, technicians and manufactures to achieve a standard of perfection unmatched by any other woodwind pad. Advanced materials and cutting-edge construction offer a level of precision that makes these the favorites of technicians who service professional instruments and they provide extraordinary dynamic range and exquisite feel that are essential to the professional musician.
WOOD INSTRUMENT CRACK REPAIR (Clarinet & Oboe)
We can repair your cracked clarinet, oboe, or other wood instrument. We use a variety of repair techniques including carbon fiber banding, pinning, gluing/filling, tone hole replacement, etc... to repair your cracked instrument. The repair technique we use will depend on the size, location, and nature of the crack. Stop in for a free evaluation and we can advise you on the best course of action.
TONEHOLE REPLACEMENT
Wood toneholes can become damaged due to a crack, chip, or manufacturing flaw and replacement is often times the best remedy. We will mill out the damaged tonehole, fabricate an exact replacement, install the replacement, and fit a new pad to the new tonehole. We use a Magnehelic gauge to verify that the tonehole is sealed completely and will give you many years of service.
TENON RING REPLACEMENT
If your clarinet tenon is worn and wobbling (or completely damaged like the example below), we can rebuild it with a metal or wood tenon ring. This new ring will reestablish the original dimension of the tenon and help stabilize the joint fit.
SAXOPHONE TONEHOLE REPAIR
Saxophone bodies and toneholes can become dented or damaged, which can affect the instrument's playability. We have the tooling and expertise to remove dents, straighten bent keys/body tubes/toneholes, fit keywork, and just about any other repair you need.
SAXOPHONE MODIFICATIONS
ADDING KEY CUP ARMS
We can fabricate additional key arms for bell and bow keys to help stabilize the pad cup. Often times bell keys will twist or torque when activated (since they have relatively large key cups attached to long levers), which will cause pad sealing issues. An additional key arm will help to strengthen and stabilize the key cup and reduce leakage issues due to key flex.
CUSTOM KEY GUARDS
We can fabricate custom key guards for horns that are missing the original. Many times sourcing a replacement key guard can be nearly impossible, so we can fabricate custom or original replacements.
PALM KEY RISERS
Using a dental molding material, palm keys are enhanced to fit your specific hand placement. We mold, shape, and finish the risers to produce a smooth key riser that will feel natural. We also sell removable Oleg Pro Sax Enhancer brass palm key risers that will fit most models.
SAXOPHONE NECK EXTENSION
We fabricated a neck extension for this Selmer Mark VI tenor. Our customer plays several different mouthpieces and this neck had work done to it before he purchased it. In order for the mouthpiece to fit securely at the correct depth for intonation purposes (farther out than normal), an extension was the best option. We fabricated the extension from brass rod and soldered it to the neck. There is no gap or step on the interior of the neck bore and the extension slips over the existing neck. After installing the new neck cork, the extension is not noticeable unless you know the original length of the neck, and would be reversible if need be. It worked out great for our customer as he's now able to tune at the proper depth on the neck and the mouthpiece is very stable and secure.
FRONT F KEY INSTALLATION
Many vintage saxophones were built without a Front F (F Rocker, Forked F) key, which can be a challenge for players that are used to using the Front F key combinations. We can install a custom fitted Front F key and blend it in to the original design of the instrument.
"Carl’s is simply the best! I’ve trusted Carl & Travis with my horns since 2003, and even since my move to New York City,
they’re still the only people I trust with all of my saxophone needs! You won’t find service any better, I guarantee it!"
they’re still the only people I trust with all of my saxophone needs! You won’t find service any better, I guarantee it!"
- Adam Larson, recording & performing saxophonist in NYC
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