Band Instrument Repair Specialists
PROCESS DEFINITIONS
In the instrument repair industry, there are many different names for the same process. As a consumer, you need to make sure that you are having the process done that you want. To do this, you need to know what those processes are: (BOLD DEFINITIONS ARE WHAT WE USE)
REPAD (sometimes referred to as a mechanical overhaul)
This process is for woodwinds, and generally refers to the removal and replacement of all pads, corks, felts, and bumpers. A chemical cleaning of all of the body parts and mouthpiece is done also. There are many types of pads currently available and many shops (including ours), will use standard pads unless requested otherwise. Complete mechanism adjustments are done as well. In a repad, the instrument should play like new, but its appearance will not have changed.
STRIP, BUFF, LACQUER (sometimes called relacquer only)
This process is for lacquered instruments that need only to have their lacquer replaced. We chemically remove the old lacquer, buff the instrument as best as possible without disassembly, and then relacquer the instrument. No dent removal is done. This process is quite popular for trumpets, cornets, flugelhorns and trombones. Any instrument larger than these must be disassembled for buffing. (We will do this for pro horns).
ECONOMY OVERHAUL
This process is similar to an overhaul, but there is less disassembly for dent reomval and buffing. It is usually used by music retailers on their rental instruments, because it can save them some money. (NO pro horns).
STANDARD OVERHAUL
This process is for the complete overhaul of many student and intermediate level instruments. Old lacquer is chemically removed, the instrument is dismounted, all dents are removed, and any rotten parts are replaced, The instrument is then buffed, remounted, buffed again, degreased, and relacquered. A final assembly and play test follows. In this process, the instrument should look and play like new.
PROFESSIONAL OVERHAUL
This process is basically the same as the standard overhaul, except more attention is paid to mounting and buffing. This results in a higher quality finished instrument. All professional instruments are automatically done in this manner.
RESTORATION
This process is reserved for antique instruments, or instruments of an unusual nature. This is done strictly on a quote basis, and can be quite expensive.
YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO OVERHAUL A HORN THE FIRST TIME!
REPAD (sometimes referred to as a mechanical overhaul)
This process is for woodwinds, and generally refers to the removal and replacement of all pads, corks, felts, and bumpers. A chemical cleaning of all of the body parts and mouthpiece is done also. There are many types of pads currently available and many shops (including ours), will use standard pads unless requested otherwise. Complete mechanism adjustments are done as well. In a repad, the instrument should play like new, but its appearance will not have changed.
STRIP, BUFF, LACQUER (sometimes called relacquer only)
This process is for lacquered instruments that need only to have their lacquer replaced. We chemically remove the old lacquer, buff the instrument as best as possible without disassembly, and then relacquer the instrument. No dent removal is done. This process is quite popular for trumpets, cornets, flugelhorns and trombones. Any instrument larger than these must be disassembled for buffing. (We will do this for pro horns).
ECONOMY OVERHAUL
This process is similar to an overhaul, but there is less disassembly for dent reomval and buffing. It is usually used by music retailers on their rental instruments, because it can save them some money. (NO pro horns).
STANDARD OVERHAUL
This process is for the complete overhaul of many student and intermediate level instruments. Old lacquer is chemically removed, the instrument is dismounted, all dents are removed, and any rotten parts are replaced, The instrument is then buffed, remounted, buffed again, degreased, and relacquered. A final assembly and play test follows. In this process, the instrument should look and play like new.
PROFESSIONAL OVERHAUL
This process is basically the same as the standard overhaul, except more attention is paid to mounting and buffing. This results in a higher quality finished instrument. All professional instruments are automatically done in this manner.
RESTORATION
This process is reserved for antique instruments, or instruments of an unusual nature. This is done strictly on a quote basis, and can be quite expensive.
YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO OVERHAUL A HORN THE FIRST TIME!
