If you repair instruments?

Question:About how much does it cost the repairman to repair the various instruments (trumpet, trombine, clarinet, flute, tuba, etc) and what materials do you need?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: About how much does it cost the repairman to repair the various instruments (trumpet, trombine, clarinet, flute, tuba, etc) and what materials do you need?

I think you're asking how much it costs the tech and not how much he charges you.

When I was younger and had better eyesight, I owned a repair shop that specialized in clarinets. My entire set of tools cost about $1500 then - it'd be closer to $3000 now. Tools to repair brass instruments are much more expensive.

About 75% of the time, repairing woodwinds, a small screwdriver, a springhook, and whatever replacement parts are all that's needed. A repad doesn't require that many tools but is time consuming.

The other 25% of the time is working on things that are major damage and require drilling the instrument or building up epoxy, etc... Those are the very expensive repairs and require specialized tools.

What you're paying the repairman for is his time and skill. The parts aren't all that expensive usually but the time to take a clarinet apart, clean it, replace the pads/corks, and reassemble can be enormous. Especially on instruments that haven't been well cared for. Then add in a little to recover the cost of tools and shop overhead and you can see that most techs really don't charge all that much.

It's not an occupation where you'll get rich. It's a nice living and you get to be around the music all day. If you'd like to learn a little about the business and how it works and what you need, there's a great little book called Instrument Repair for the Music Teacher http://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Repair-... that covers all the basics.

For real repair stuff like major work and overhaul - The Erick-Brand manual is "the Bible" of band instrument repair techs. http://www.amazon.com/Erick-Brand-Instru...

For some info about parts and tools - Ferree's Tools is the best place to look. http://www.ferreestools.com/

And for OEM parts (original parts from the factory), you have to get those from the factory.

i sent my trumpet in for repairs but it depends on what is wrong with the instrument. the more serious the condition of the instrument is, the more money it will cost. now this for me costed about $50 but every repair varies. and the materials u need depends on what the instrument is and what is wrong with it

it all depends on what needs repairing. the pads on a flute/clarinet/saxaphone run from $10-30. If it's serious damage, it could be anywhere from $50-$200.

Depends on the repairer, the suburb and what is wrong with your instrument! If you are worried about money most repairers are willing to call you and tell you the price before they start repairing! or when you drop the instrument off! You just need to ask! If it is just a screw that needs tightening then most will do it for free! But complete overhauls are pricey!