Repair your recorder
My workshop assures you of first-class workmanship in the repair work.
When the recorder needs to go to the workshop for maintenance or repair
Wood has many good properties and is ideal for recorder making. Nevertheless: it is a natural material that “works”, i.e. changes and reacts in particular to the action of moisture. Therefore, it can happen that a recorder, despite careful playing in, conscientious care and careful handling, at some point no longer sounds as good as it did at the beginning, that it clogs up too quickly, that the high notes respond only poorly, or that some other deficiency is perceived. Then it is time to send the instrument to the manufacturer or a qualified recorder maker for maintenance or even repair. In most cases, the sound, response and intonation can be improved so that the recorder is unrecognizable.
The course of the repair process
First, the instrument is given a repair number, which is stored in the computer with the customer’s address and ensures that no mix-ups occur, i.e. that the sender receives the correct instrument back.
A recorder maker will now read the accompanying letter carefully and play the recorder briefly to see what the sender is concerned about. Sometimes questions arise, which are then clarified in a telephone call with the sender. Now the instrument is carefully checked and a repair plan is drawn up. Should problems arise that exceed the usual repair effort and/or are not mentioned in the accompanying letter, the customer will receive a cost estimate in order to be able to decide whether the repair should be carried out or not.
Now the flute passes through various stations as needed until, overhauled and cared for, it returns to its starting point. Here, the invoice is now written (if necessary) and the shipment is arranged.
What are the common problems and how can they be eliminated?
The flute sounds bad
There can be many causes for this, but most often it is due to a dirty or swollen wind tunnel. The block is now knocked out and cleaned. Using steel wool or a file coated with sandpaper, the wind tunnel is also carefully cleaned and smoothed. The same happens with the two bevels, the cut-up and the labium. If the wind tunnel is too narrow, the block is filed down to the correct height and the block chamfer is tightened.
The high tones no longer respond
Here, too, the wind tunnel and labium are first cleaned and reworked. If the inner bore of the flute has changed, use a reamer to restore it to its original condition. The finger holes are cleaned and possibly reworked.
The cork has come off
Cork residues are completely removed and the tenon is cleaned of adhesive residues, oil and grease. New natural cork is glued on permanently.
The pivots are too loose or too tight
If the tenons are too loose, a thicker cork is used. Too tight tenon joints are made common by grinding the cork.
A crack has formed
Many minor cracks can be easily treated by simply taping and resanding. Even larger cracks can often be repaired well. In some cases, however, such as a depressed labium, only replacing the cracked flute part will help.
The flute is not right (anymore)
Most often, the cause is a narrowing of the inner bore or the grip holes. The inner bore is reworked with a reamer, the finger holes are cleaned and possibly widened or made slightly smaller.
The thumbhole is (strongly) notched
A bushing made of artificial ivory or artificial horn is inserted, restoring the thumbhole to its original shape. (This repair is not possible under warranty in any case).
The flap does not cover
The cushion is renewed, the flap possibly readjusted.
The flap no longer opens/closes
The flap spring is renewed, the flap axle is cleaned, freshly oiled and possibly renewed.
The flap noise is very loud
A cushioning piece of cork or felt is placed underneath. Often the padding has become too inflexible and needs to be renewed.
These are the most common repairs and maintenance. In addition, on request, we can sheathe the beak with artificial horn, insert a new block, shorten the flute if the basic tuning is too low, attach new artificial horn or metal rings to the headjoint or footjoint, renew the thread winding or add special keys.
Recorders are very durable if treated carefully. But many players do not know that their instrument also needs occasional maintenance by a professional. A repair is worthwhile in most cases and gives the instrument back its usual freshness.
With us you can expect a wide range of selected products and solutions at affordable prices. We make sure that only goods of the highest quality leave our house. Of course, we advise you comprehensively, pay attention to your individual wishes and requirements and always find the right solution for you.