To all of yall!
Unless I need some MAJOR metal work, most of the time a COA with a few replacement pads will do the trick most of the time. I do these repairs myself mostly, but I have NEVER paid more than $100 dollars for any COA. In most cases this is all that is needed. Most places that sell instruments have atleast an HONEST tech that can do these types repairs. If I had a Gemmy 2SP and I needed anymore than that, then I would just buy a new one. You can get a new one for 300 USD in most places!
If you have a 10000 dollar flute, and you want to pay 1500 for an over haul fine. However, in most cases, a complete overhaul it is just not needed!
On another note, if you want to find a good tech, visit your local Musician's Union. College music programs, and orchestras are other good places to meet people that either do repairs, of can give a good personal reference. Some of the best techs I know have a shop at their house, and only do work for an exclusive set of people. If there is not one at the hall, someone can refer you to a good one. Beware of sending things in over the internet. Most pros would not send their instrument to a stranger.
If you are still having trouble, I can put you in touch with someone I know here in St.Louis that has a public shop. He does all to work on my instruments!
Phineas
Is this a wise choice?
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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DivaricationOfMind
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Sun Aug 06, 2006 1:15 am
- Location: Tampa, FL
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fluttiegurl
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:05 pm
I have a student who insists that her flute needs a complete overhaul, which she had done last summer when the flute was about a year old. What she does not realize (and I have tried to explain) is that not only is she spending money that could be better spent toward a better headjoint, but over time, the flute mechs will wear out. This is not good for any instrument. I recommend a good COA every year or so (though I tend to wait longer than that because of my schedule), but an overhaul should only be done when the flute shows signs of wear to the pads, etc. The pads need a time to break in and a player should have time to adjust. A flute should play better after an overhaul, but as Phineas said, it is usually not necessary. As for how much, try $30 from the local repair guy that has worked on my flutes for years! Granted, he is good to me and my students because of the volume of business I bring in, but he also knows me and what I expect. If he can't do something, he will tell me straight up. When I first bought my Pearl, he was honest enough to let me know that he would rather not work on it, so I sent it somewhere else. As for my Haynes, he has had his hands on it a few times, and I have never been disappointed. Get to know your repair guy! Not all will be as reliable as mine, I realize that, but if your local shop can do the work, why not?
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sidekicker
- Posts: 311
- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 5:58 am
- Location: Scottish-American in Oklahoma
As I've said before: flute players tend to be really, really, gullible. We simply must educate ourselves on the instruments we play so that we know when a problem demands particular attention and, more importantly, how much ($$$) attention that demands.
I'm sure I'll receive a lot of flack for saying this, but I've always thought the high end flute repair business is, in many (but not all; so remember I qualified this before you jump on me
) cases, just another high-priced racket we've been conned into because many flute players lack the knowledge to question a tech about what is really necessary and how much it should really cost. I personally believe that, for the most part, all of it (repair time, cost of supplies, actual expertise needed, etc.) is overly inflated to feed the egos of flute players who for reasons I'll never understand seem to enjoy paying out the rear end for fads and over-priced maintenance. For some reason, flutists automatically buy into the fact that everything flute-related must be expensive when many times it just isn't or shouldn't be. But nobody stands up to it, so it just perpetuates itself and we keep $pending, $pending, and $pending.
Just my opinion. Just my opinion. Just my opinion. Just my opinion. (Yes, I realize I've repeated that four times just so those of you with burning fingers will know that's what it is, and not a new book I've just added to the Bible)
SK
I'm sure I'll receive a lot of flack for saying this, but I've always thought the high end flute repair business is, in many (but not all; so remember I qualified this before you jump on me
) cases, just another high-priced racket we've been conned into because many flute players lack the knowledge to question a tech about what is really necessary and how much it should really cost. I personally believe that, for the most part, all of it (repair time, cost of supplies, actual expertise needed, etc.) is overly inflated to feed the egos of flute players who for reasons I'll never understand seem to enjoy paying out the rear end for fads and over-priced maintenance. For some reason, flutists automatically buy into the fact that everything flute-related must be expensive when many times it just isn't or shouldn't be. But nobody stands up to it, so it just perpetuates itself and we keep $pending, $pending, and $pending.Just my opinion. Just my opinion. Just my opinion. Just my opinion. (Yes, I realize I've repeated that four times just so those of you with burning fingers will know that's what it is, and not a new book I've just added to the Bible
)SK
sidekicker
I have many hobbies, interests, and occupations. They all have the same goal, to be exclusive. It is very easy to make things this way when you jack up the price of everything past the point that the "average" person cannot afford it. Lets face it, if a person is going to spend 5000+ on a flute, then is this person REALLY going to let someone do a $30 repair on it? Even if you could do it for that cheap, you would have to charge more simple to gain confidence from your customer.
Years ago I was an electrical contractor. I use to try to be as cheap as I could so I could get work. When I would give someone a good deal on an installation, I would get picked apart. There was always this attitude "There has to be something wrong if he did it for this cheap!".
I had to learn that when I charge the rate that I want, I do not get as many jobs, but I gain better customers. The same is true for anything. With music gigs, this is especially true. People want to pay, and feel like they are getting something. I think some businesses take advantage more than others, and SOME instrument repair people are guilty of taking too much.
One last thing about human nature that is related. The feeling like you are missing out on something. If Joe Blow is the best in town, and he gets his flute done with Coco, then that is where I going to get my flute done. Funny thing is, Coco knows this, and give Joe Blow a kick back...lol
I do not mean to put anyone on the spot. I have a fond respect for all of the regulars on this board. I hope my opinion is not taken badly, but I am just expressing things from my experience and point of view.
Peace!
Phineas
I have many hobbies, interests, and occupations. They all have the same goal, to be exclusive. It is very easy to make things this way when you jack up the price of everything past the point that the "average" person cannot afford it. Lets face it, if a person is going to spend 5000+ on a flute, then is this person REALLY going to let someone do a $30 repair on it? Even if you could do it for that cheap, you would have to charge more simple to gain confidence from your customer.
Years ago I was an electrical contractor. I use to try to be as cheap as I could so I could get work. When I would give someone a good deal on an installation, I would get picked apart. There was always this attitude "There has to be something wrong if he did it for this cheap!".
I had to learn that when I charge the rate that I want, I do not get as many jobs, but I gain better customers. The same is true for anything. With music gigs, this is especially true. People want to pay, and feel like they are getting something. I think some businesses take advantage more than others, and SOME instrument repair people are guilty of taking too much.
One last thing about human nature that is related. The feeling like you are missing out on something. If Joe Blow is the best in town, and he gets his flute done with Coco, then that is where I going to get my flute done. Funny thing is, Coco knows this, and give Joe Blow a kick back...lol
I do not mean to put anyone on the spot. I have a fond respect for all of the regulars on this board. I hope my opinion is not taken badly, but I am just expressing things from my experience and point of view.
Peace!
Phineas
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fluttiegurl
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:05 pm
Phineas,
I most certainly see where you are coming from. Had I not done business with this guy for years, I would probably not send my flute to him. I think he actually charges me half price, but $60 is still WAY cheap. Now I have had work done by others. Some good, some bad, but I know he can handle most anything I hand him and he is local so I can actually come in and play test during the process, which is a major plus. As for the kick backs, that is just how business is. I worked for a company that did modest advertising for companies. During the time I worked there, I rarely paid for a meal out, never paid to have my car detailed, and very rarely paid full price for most anything. I just seem to have a knack for that sort of thing.
A few years ago, my studio was in a rut. No matter how my students improved and how often I showed up at the schools, I could not get students. After talking to a parent who had sent her child to someone else, I realized that the reason was I did not charge as much and when a parent was looking for an instructor, they assumed that the more they paid, the better the instruction. That same student came to me for a few lessons during the summer, and she noticed a difference right away. She stayed with me until graduation and is playing at a University. Needless to say, I raised my rates. Now I have to turn down students (I actually have a waiting list). Don't get me wrong, I still don't charge as much as someone in a major city, but by raising my rates, I gained faith in parents.
I most certainly see where you are coming from. Had I not done business with this guy for years, I would probably not send my flute to him. I think he actually charges me half price, but $60 is still WAY cheap. Now I have had work done by others. Some good, some bad, but I know he can handle most anything I hand him and he is local so I can actually come in and play test during the process, which is a major plus. As for the kick backs, that is just how business is. I worked for a company that did modest advertising for companies. During the time I worked there, I rarely paid for a meal out, never paid to have my car detailed, and very rarely paid full price for most anything. I just seem to have a knack for that sort of thing.
A few years ago, my studio was in a rut. No matter how my students improved and how often I showed up at the schools, I could not get students. After talking to a parent who had sent her child to someone else, I realized that the reason was I did not charge as much and when a parent was looking for an instructor, they assumed that the more they paid, the better the instruction. That same student came to me for a few lessons during the summer, and she noticed a difference right away. She stayed with me until graduation and is playing at a University. Needless to say, I raised my rates. Now I have to turn down students (I actually have a waiting list). Don't get me wrong, I still don't charge as much as someone in a major city, but by raising my rates, I gained faith in parents.
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sidekicker
- Posts: 311
- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 5:58 am
- Location: Scottish-American in Oklahoma
Very good points, Phineas. The unfortunate fact is that you are most likely correct. It's pretty sad, though, IMO, and speaks volumes about musician mentality. People don't seem to have a problem taking handouts from the government, obsessively collecting coupons, driving across town to save 3 bucks on a pair of shoes, changing cell phone carriers every other week to get a better deal, or shopping at Walmart to get what they want for the least amount of money (and effort) possible. But they will assume a flute technician must be cutting corners if s/he offers a reasonable rate for services or that a flute teacher must not be as good as the other one in town because the latter charges more for lessons. And because of that they will pay more.
What kind of screwed up logic is that? I don't know why it is, but somewhere along the way many in the music field seem to have lost some of their common sense that they still exercise in other areas of life. I'd love to see that change, but it apparently never will so long as this warped style of thinking persists. And I know it's not limited to just musicians and can translate to other things/hobbies as well, like you said. But we have to start somewhere, IMO. The answer in my mind is to educate ourselves more so we can tell the difference between good/bad repair, whether corners are being cut, etc. I think we've really lost sight of the fact that humans really can be honest and fair -- if we let them, that is.
Just the way I see things.
SK
What kind of screwed up logic is that? I don't know why it is, but somewhere along the way many in the music field seem to have lost some of their common sense that they still exercise in other areas of life. I'd love to see that change, but it apparently never will so long as this warped style of thinking persists. And I know it's not limited to just musicians and can translate to other things/hobbies as well, like you said. But we have to start somewhere, IMO. The answer in my mind is to educate ourselves more so we can tell the difference between good/bad repair, whether corners are being cut, etc. I think we've really lost sight of the fact that humans really can be honest and fair -- if we let them, that is.
Just the way I see things.
SK
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musical_Kat
- Posts: 126
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:32 am
- Location: West Palm Beach, FL
- Contact:
I think the big difference with us in our musical life as opposed to our daily life is pretty simple. We really don't care about the $15 pair of shoes we just bought on sale. We got them cheap so we figure no biggie. If they fall apart in a few months we can just replace them. When it comes to our music...it's just a lot more important to a musician. So they feel like they should go top of the line to make sure they keep everything in as good working order as possible. I'm not saying it's right or wrong....that's just pretty much the thought process... 