Servicing & Repairs
Woodwind & brass repairs are carried out by our team of experienced technicians. We offer a full range of services for all instruments.
Below is a breakdown of common services carried out by our specialist repair technicians. It is important to identify the level of work required on an instrument ahead of carrying out repairs. Our team will be able to assess your instrument, free of charge so we can best advise you on the work required and quote based what your instrument needs.
Woodwind
Checkover | General Service | Full Repad |
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Sundries
- Tenon Recork
- Tenon Adjustment for binding/tight tenons
- Crook Recork – Crook cork on saxophones and bassoons.
- Bore Out Mouthpieces – the process of adjusting a French bore ebonite mouthpiece, such as a Vandoren, D’addario etc. to suit the bore of a ‘Wide Bore’ instrument such as a Boosey & Hawkes.
- Split Repairs – repair splits and crack on wooden instruments.
Brass
Checkover | Valve Instrument General Service | Trombone & Slide Instruments | Re-lacquering / Overhaul |
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Dent Removal
Dents are assessed are quoted on an individual basis.
Sundries
External Polish
Water Key Cork Replacement
Stuck Mouthpiece Removal
Sympathetic Restoration
Quite often we presented with vintage instruments for servicing. Our technicians are able to carry out sympathetic restorations on these instruments, meaning they are preserved and receive the same quality of repair, whilst taking into consideration the aesthetics of instrument, and the type of cleaning they require without damaging or detracting from its original state.
Bespoke Modifications
Feel free to contact us with a request to make your playing experience easier.
Technicians
Mark Steventon
Mark is a former musician with the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). On leaving the army after twenty-two years' service, he now carries out service and repairs on brass and woodwind instruments for a number of music retailers from his home in the West Midlands. Mark operates a service centre for Yamaha UK's brass and woodwind instruments, working with their UK-based endorsees and advising them on warranty issues.
In more recent times Mark has taken on the role as workshop manager for ConnSelmer Europe and regularly travels to their facility in Slough.
Mandy Charman
Mandy started working for T. W. Howarth at their manufacturing workshops in Worthing in 1982. Over the next 15 years she worked in virtually every department from wood finishing to key making. In the mid 1990's Mandy joined the team at the London showrooms where for 12 years she also managed the international mail-order department.
Mandy is now a freelance woodwind technician and has undertaken services and restorations to the highest standard for Windology Music as well as private commissions.
COVID-19
In order to allow for health and safety precautions, we require an instrument to quarantine (eg: not played or handled) for 72 hours prior to repair work commencing. Once repairs/technical work has been carried out, the instrument is test played by one of our specialists in order to fully ensure the instrument is working ahead of collection. Once ready, you will be notified. The instrument will require a further 72 hours quarantine ahead of personal use.
How Often Should I Have My Instrument Serviced?
Our Technicians usually recommend having your instrument fully serviced every 1-2 years. With padded woodwind instruments, not using your instrument can be just as wearing on the pads as regular use.
Regular servicing of your instrument will prevent the need for larger repair work in the long run, saving you money, and prolonging the life of your instrument.
Advice on Instrument Maintenance & Handling
Our specialists are on hand to advice you on the best ways to keep your instrument working well and clean for longer. Ask in-store, call 01952 929100 or email us: [email protected] You can always drop us a message via our social channels too!
In the meantime, you may want to browse our Maintenance Materials section.
New Instruments
Windology Music Guarantee Checkover
On all new instruments purchased from Windology Music, we offer a ‘Guarantee Checkover’ free of charge, within the first year of purchase. This means our technicians can ensure your instrument is playing well and in great condition, one year on.
Wooden Instruments
A new wooden instrument requires a gentle breaking in process to prevent cracks and splits occurring. A new wooden instrument, or even a second hand instrument that hasn’t been used for a long time, is not used to the moisture and humidity that occurs when playing. Wood is a natural material and needs time to acclimatise to this.
Our Woodwind Specialist advises that playing is limited to 20 minutes at a time for the first month of the instrument’s life, before adding 10 minutes on per week until you reach normal playing time.