Welcome to Brian Sage Woodwind & Brass Repairs
IN WORCESTERSHIRE
Based in Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire, Brian has been repairing instruments since 1987. With customers from top orchestras and bands as well as music shops throughout the UK, whether you are a student just starting out or a professional musician, your instrument will be in safe hands.
Because of the demand for Brian's repairs all repairs and services are booked in advance and the work is carried out on a specified day, this way you do not have to be without your instrument for any longer than necessary.
All customers are seen by appointment only.
Woodwind Instrument Repairs
Why woodwind instruments
need periodic servicing
Woodwind instruments need periodic servicing because they are prone to leaks where the pads cover the tone holes. If the pads don't make an airtight seal over the tone holes this produces a leak,the result is that the instrument is very difficult and sometimes impossible to play.
Many of the keys on a woodwind instrument are connected to each other so that more than several tone holes can be closed by just closing one key. These keys must close at exactly the same time with the same amount of pressure to make an even airtight seal over the tone holes. To keep the contact points between metal keys silent as they contact each other, cork or felt is placed between the keys to keep them quiet and adjust the regulation between keys closing and the articulation of keys opening. Both cork and felt compress and wear as the instrument is played, therefor the regulation goes out and leaks occur. A periodic service is needed to eliminate leaks and ensure the instrument is playing as it should.
Brass Instrument Repairs
Why brass instruments
need periodic servicing
Much of the servicing on Brasswind instruments is preventative maintenance rather than actual repairs. The majority of brass repair work could be prevented by proper care and maintenance.
The contact of metal to metal surfaces on the tuning and playing slides and piston/rotor valves being in contact with minerals in wet saliva can cause corrosion and seizing. To prevent this the instrument should be regularly flushed out and lubricated.
If a valve instrument is clean inside, has no cracks, deep bruises or leaks but still doesn't respond as it should, the chances are that the pistons need to be re-aligned with their ports. When the piston ports are perfectly aligned, the ports in the valve casings will align both when fully depressed and when fully released. This can often be a simple case of renewing the valve felts, but it should be checked by an experienced repairer.
Trombone playing slides can become sluggish if they have not been regularly cleaned and maintained.
Rotor valves often go out of alignment when the rubber or cork stops wear, and need renewing.
Electroplating
Gold and Silver plating
Gold and silver plating on flutes alters and improves the tone quality. Silver plated keywork makes it feel more comfortable than nickel plate. Metal mouthpieces for brass instruments and saxophones and lip plates on flutes are plated with gold or silver to prevent skin problems when the mouth is in direct contact with a reactive metal.
