Flute Repair

Repairs and Modifications

Professional repair services are the cornerstone of the Cincinnati Fluteworks. Our technicians are masters in their field. Their experience in instrument building, restoration, and key design enables us to offer guaranteed professional repairs of every kind. It also equips us to make modifications to suit the needs of each individual flutist.

"How often does my instrument need an overhaul?"

Here are the symptoms: If you have noticed any sluggishness in tonguing response, weakness of sound in the low octave, or unreasonable difficulty playing an even chromatic scale, your flute probably is the culprit. Leaks and lost action tend to sneak up on the flutist. While leaks may seem minor, any leak affects the response of the entire instrument. Compensation with increased pressure may seem to help, but slows technique. It also makes the leak progressively worse and causes further deterioration of the pads. In addition, after a year or two, the headjoint cork will begin to shrink from the effects of moisture. This also causes leaking and sluggish response. Because this leak is not readily pinpointed (as with a leaky pad), the player is often blamed for the instrument’s shortcomings.

The Cincinnati Fluteworks gives each repair, whatever size, our complete, professional attention. Our workmanship and materials are fully guaranteed. We also specialize in many kinds of personalized modifications to bring out the best qualities of an instrument (and the player!). Our years of experience with these modifications have made us leaders in the field.

The Cincinnati Fluteworks gives each repair, whatever size, our complete, professional attention. Our workmanship and materials are fully guaranteed. We also specialize in many kinds of personalized modifications to bring out the best qualities of an instrument (and the player!). Our years of experience with these modifications have made us leaders in the field.

Annual Maintenance & Adjustments are Crucial for the Flute to Keep Its Value ("Clean, Oil, Adjust")

A combination of periodic overhauls (every two to three years, depending on use) and yearly checkups to make minor adjustments will keep your instrument in optimum laying condition. Yearly checkups (also known as "Clean, Oil, Adjust") will correct any minor leaks or problems before they become irreversible. This will help stretch the time between overhauls.

Details on Overhauls, Repads, Repad with Mechanism

A professional flute or piccolo overhaul includes complete disassembly of the instrument; cleaning, tarnish removal and hand polishing; all pins are pulled, keys and pivots are refitted and the mechanism is properly oiled; normal maintenance for wood is performed on wood piccs (except cracks). It also includes a complete repadding, and replacement of all corks, felts, and headjoint stoppers.

Please inquire for Straubinger and Schmidt Gold pad quotes. We also offer a repad with mechanism service which includes all of the procedures in a complete overhaul except for tarnish removal and hands polishing. A repad only is also available. It includes the replacement of the pads, corks, felts, and headjoint stopper.

The Cincinnati Fluteworks dedicates the same care, skill and consideration to the overhaul of student flutes and piccolos. We disassemble the instrument, refit keys and mechanism as necessary, clean and oil the mechanism; polish the instrument, and remove tarnish; replace all pads and the headjoint cork, and replace all corks and felts.

© 2007 Cincinnati Fluteworks, Inc