Clean, Oil and Adjust (COA)
A professional COA is the single most important service for keeping your flute in top playing condition and every flute should have a COA once a year. The procedure involves complete disassembly of the instrument. The body, headjoint and footjoint are thoroughly cleaned and polished. The keys are cleaned as well as possible without disturbing pads and bumpers. Springs are tested and replaced if necessary. The head cork is tested and replaced if needed. All pads and bumpers are examined and replaced as needed. All mechanisms (including rods, rod screws, pivot screws, rollers and hinge tubes) are cleaned and oiled. Pads are re-shimmed as required to cover with a light touch. Key to key adjustment, key height and lost motion are all regulated to exacting standards. The instrument is then thoroughly play-tested for confirmation and re-adjusted as necessary.
Mechanical Restoration & Repad
Often times flutes that have seen many years of play, have been in long-term storage or have not received regular maintenance, will require a full mechanical restoration in order to play properly. With this procedure the instrument is completely disassembled, including pinned sections. The body, headjoint, footjoint and all of the keys are thoroughly cleaned and polished. Dents are removed for cosmetic, acoustical and mechanical considerations as needed. Tone holes are corrected as needed and faced true. Springs are tested and replaced if necessary. The head cork is replaced and adjusted. All pads and bumpers are replaced with the highest-grade materials. All mechanisms (including rods, rod screws, pivot screws, rollers and hinge tubes) are cleaned and oiled. Keys are refitted as needed on student model instruments and to exacting tolerances on professional quality instruments. Pads are seated to cover with a light touch. Key to key adjustment, key height and lost motion are regulated to exacting standards. The instrument is then allowed to set, re-examined for regulation, and thoroughly play-tested for confirmation.
Other Flute Repair Services
All work other than a COA or Mechanical Restoration is based upon examination and consultation. We’ll present you with a recommendation and an estimate reflecting time and materials prior to doing the work.
We offer a complete range of flute and piccolo repairs and services from minor adjustments to custom rebuilding including: dent work (from minor to extensive), part rebuilding, aligning bent bodies, precision fitting of tenons and boxes, refitting and rebuilding of key mechanism (including re-pinning), replacing bumpers, resetting of adjustment screws, re-soldering parts, MAG® testing, re-soldering “up” toneholes, replacing or recovering of Straubinger pads, and much more!
Flute Services & Pricing
| Piccolo | Mechanical Restoration* | COA** |
|---|---|---|
| Student | $365.00 | $175.00 |
| Intermediate | $625.00 | $270.00 |
| Professional | $800.00 | $345.00 |
| Artist | $1125.00 | $385.00 |
| Flute | Mechanical Restoration* | COA** |
|---|---|---|
| Student | $430.00 | $175.00 |
| Intermediate | $630.00 | $270.00 |
| Pre-Professional | $780.00 | $345.00 |
| Professional | $1230.00 | $385.00 |
| Professional w/Straub Pads | $1600.00 | $385.00 |
| Artist | $1345.00 | $495.00 |
| Artist w/Straub Pads | $1725.00 | $495.00 |
| Flute – Other Services | Cost |
|---|---|
| E Facilitator Installation (part included) | $90.00 |
| Replace Head Cork | $25.00 |
| Fit Headjoint | $64.00 |
| All other work done by estimate based on time and materials. | |
* On mechanical restorations, certain pad brands may incur additional cost.
** COA pricing includes labor for up to 3 pad replacements.
Check out our video on flute care and assembly!
Call us at 800.822.2157 or email [email protected] to schedule your appointment. Only very minor repairs can be completed “while you wait”.