Maintenance of Professional Flutes eg Altus 1307 up

[flutego12]

Are flutes with pure silver posts/ keys of "higher level of maintenance" due to susceptibilty of getting bent of misaligned during play?

I ask this of reputable well made quality brands like Altus Miyazawa etc - what is the damage risk and is that why servicing them is so expensive?

[JButky]

Nope, You are paying for the advanced skills of the tech to pay great attention to detail for a high level of performance.

[flutego12]

Nope, You are paying for the advanced skills of the tech to pay great attention to detail for a high level of performance.

Joe, are the pure silver posts softer and therefore more susceptible to misalignment?

[JButky]

Nope, You are paying for the advanced skills of the tech to pay great attention to detail for a high level of performance.

Joe, are the pure silver posts softer and therefore more susceptible to misalignment?

Because of the way they are constructed, they are more than sufficiently rigid. Pure silver though is in general softer. Most flutes are not pure silver and the remaining portion of the alloy even in the smallest amount is selected to make the metal strong enough.

[mirwa]

Thats an expensive service, we are in perth and charge out 66 irrespective of the brand.

Curious whos charging that much.

[flutego12]

Thats an expensive service, we are in perth and charge out 66 irrespective of the brand.

Curious whos charging that much.

SORRY my mistake, not $500-600,

Flute & Flutist charges $340 (PA202, EX,807)- $440+ (all silver)
Flute Tree charges $320 (open hole intermediate)-520 (all silver)

THEY ARE FLUTE SPECIALISTS and students and professionals who go to them can expect top notch service.

DO you mind sharing who the flute maintenance person is - is he a flute specialist or does he do school band instruments in general.

[mirwa]

I find someone that calls themselves a specialist repairer has usually derived there ""specialisation"" from being a player of that instrument, not from being a repairer with formal training. It means they lack background knowledge in mechanics and repairing, they think because they can play they are experts at repairing.

I say this because there are a few flute specialists here in WA who I would not give 2 cents to for a repair, yes they can play an instrument, but they cannot repair one for a student to be able to play, any professional can play a flute that leaks, students cannot.

In regards to the person in our shop that does flutes, that is myself, my other guys who are very good repairers are not at the skill level I need them to be, they have been repairing now for a few years. I have 26 years of repairing behind me, and I dont just repair flutes.

[pied_piper]

In the U.S., most flute specialty shops have repair techs who are Straubinger certified or have been trained by one of the major flute makers, like Muramatsu. The specialty shops will likely stock a wide variety of pad types. For example, most student flutes come with softer woven felt pads. Those are easier and quicker to seat, but most pro flutists prefer the feel and response of firmer, pressed/needle felt or other high end pads like Straubinger or Schmidt. It takes a lot more time and skill to get proper pad coverage with the firmer pads and that's why it costs more - not only are the pads themselves more expensive, but it takes longer to prepare the flute and install them properly.

Now that said, there are likely some repair techs who claim to be flute specialists but really are not. One has to ask around to learn the reputation of the shop. i.e. Where do the professional flutists have their instruments serviced? Then, the flutist can decide where s/he is comfortable having their flute serviced.

[flutego12]

In the U.S., most flute specialty shops have repair techs who are Straubinger certified or have been trained by one of the major flute makers, like Muramatsu. The specialty shops will likely stock a wide variety of pad types. For example, most student flutes come with softer woven felt pads. Those are easier and quicker to seat, but most pro flutists prefer the feel and response of firmer, pressed/needle felt or other high end pads like Straubinger or Schmidt. It takes a lot more time and skill to get proper pad coverage with the firmer pads and that's why it costs more - not only are the pads themselves more expensive, but it takes longer to prepare the flute and install them properly.

Now that said, there are likely some repair techs who claim to be flute specialists but really are not. One has to ask around to learn the reputation of the shop. i.e. Where do the professional flutists have their instruments serviced? Then, the flutist can decide where s/he is comfortable having their flute serviced.

Thanks Pied Piper. Apparently these two shops are VERY highly regarded - just so expensive - how often should one get one's flute serviced if a non professional and mere student amateur - based on elapsed time alone? Between my flutes, I can buy a new flute every year for the price I service them for.

One of them have their own house brand, my neighbour has one and it sounds great - they are listed as one of the underrated flutes that offer great value/ quality - so I believe they have ALL THE REQUISITE SKILL. Plus Powell++ trained.
The other plays, performs, is a professionally trained technician and looks after several celebrity flutists...as I'm sure the above does as well.
I've found a third who does school rounds/ band flutes and other woodwind/brass instruments, so tempted to use him but I need to know my flutsies are going to be well pampered and looked after!

[flutego12]

Nope, You are paying for the advanced skills of the tech to pay great attention to detail for a high level of performance.

Joe, are the pure silver posts softer and therefore more susceptible to misalignment?

Because of the way they are constructed, they are more than sufficiently rigid. Pure silver though is in general softer. Most flutes are not pure silver and the remaining portion of the alloy even in the smallest amount is selected to make the metal strong enough.

Thanks, buddy

[flutego12]

I find someone that calls themselves a specialist repairer has usually derived there ""specialisation"" from being a player of that instrument, not from being a repairer with formal training. It means they lack background knowledge in mechanics and repairing, they think because they can play they are experts at repairing.

I say this because there are a few flute specialists here in WA who I would not give 2 cents to for a repair, yes they can play an instrument, but they cannot repair one for a student to be able to play, any professional can play a flute that leaks, students cannot.

In regards to the person in our shop that does flutes, that is myself, my other guys who are very good repairers are not at the skill level I need them to be, they have been repairing now for a few years. I have 26 years of repairing behind me, and I dont just repair flutes.

That's good to know, Mirwa - Thanks! Do you specialise in any flutes eg Straubinger pads, Lotus pads etc?

[flutego12]

Has anyone used Source Technicians?

eg... Muramatsu Japan/ Muramatsu Amercia
Miyazawa Japan

etc etc?

[pied_piper]

Thanks Pied Piper. Apparently these two shops are VERY highly regarded - just so expensive - how often should one get one's flute serviced if a non professional and mere student amateur - based on elapsed time alone? Between my flutes, I can buy a new flute every year for the price I service them for.

One of them have their own house brand, my neighbour has one and it sounds great - they are listed as one of the underrated flutes that offer great value/ quality - so I believe they have ALL THE REQUISITE SKILL. Plus Powell++ trained.
The other plays, performs, is a professionally trained technician and looks after several celebrity flutists...as I'm sure the above does as well.
I've found a third who does school rounds/ band flutes and other woodwind/brass instruments, so tempted to use him but I need to know my flutsies are going to be well pampered and looked after!

Well, you haven't mentioned what sort of flute(s) you have. That has some bearing on the decision. I agree that it does not make sense to spend $200-$500 per year on a $500 student flute. However, for someone with a $5000-$10,000 flute, it makes sense to protect that investment with the best service available. If you have a student or intermediate level flute, you will probably get good service from a general band instrument shop. If you have a pro level hand made flute, it's probably best to take it to one of the specialty shops. That said, I also know of some general shops that I would not hesitate to recommend even for pro level service. You just need to ask around and find out if the general shop has a good record.

How often to get your flute serviced depends upon how it's used. I generally recommend that professional flutists get an annual COA service because they get a lot of play time each year. For an amateur that plays only a few hours each week, I'd suggest a COA service every two to three years. If you play outdoors a lot and/or live in an area with high humidity, more frequent service may be advisable.

[mirwa]

Yes I have repaired straubinger repadded flutes, no I have not done his course, the pads are hard and over-rated, the fact you need to do a course to be able to set his pads properly speaks volumes of the product.

His course is $1500 last time I looked and you get a certificate at the end of the week, regardless if you finished repadding one flute or not, so saying your straubinger certified IMO means nothing.

I know some very competent people who have done ""the course"", and its not about fitting the pad its about the flute needs to be almost mechanically perfect for the pads to work, otherwise they will not work at all. They are not forgiving pads at all.

America is different to Australia, America has training schools like red wing / allied and so on, In Australia there is not a single training school for instrument repair. So those people that usually exist here are self taught. Very few have a back ground in repair.

Servicing is good yearly, but realistically you can get away with it until the pads start to make a smacking sound, this usually indicates there is a rather large biological buid up on the pad skins which needs to now be removed

I wish you luck, if your willing to pay those exorhbarant prices then thats your call.

[flutego12]

Thanks Pied Piper. Apparently these two shops are VERY highly regarded - just so expensive - how often should one get one's flute serviced if a non professional and mere student amateur - based on elapsed time alone? Between my flutes, I can buy a new flute every year for the price I service them for.

One of them have their own house brand, my neighbour has one and it sounds great - they are listed as one of the underrated flutes that offer great value/ quality - so I believe they have ALL THE REQUISITE SKILL. Plus Powell++ trained.
The other plays, performs, is a professionally trained technician and looks after several celebrity flutists...as I'm sure the above does as well.
I've found a third who does school rounds/ band flutes and other woodwind/brass instruments, so tempted to use him but I need to know my flutsies are going to be well pampered and looked after!

Well, you haven't mentioned what sort of flute(s) you have. That has some bearing on the decision. I agree that it does not make sense to spend $200-$500 per year on a $500 student flute. However, for someone with a $5000-$10,000 flute, it makes sense to protect that investment with the best service available. If you have a student or intermediate level flute, you will probably get good service from a general band instrument shop. If you have a pro level hand made flute, it's probably best to take it to one of the specialty shops. That said, I also know of some general shops that I would not hesitate to recommend even for pro level service. You just need to ask around and find out if the general shop has a good record.

How often to get your flute serviced depends upon how it's used. I generally recommend that professional flutists get an annual COA service because they get a lot of play time each year. For an amateur that plays only a few hours each week, I'd suggest a COA service every two to three years. If you play outdoors a lot and/or live in an area with high humidity, more frequent service may be advisable.

That's great advice, Thanks Pied Piper. To answer your Q
I have a intermediate student flute - Yamaha 371 HIIAL Allegro (my throwaround which I really appreciate - after practicing on this, I find playing the other flutes inexplicably easy!) - I will use this as guinea pig to check out the techs.
Could not resist two well priced, used but mint semi professional flutes namely Altus 807 and Miya PA202 both CCEs to experiment with - LOVE them!