In need of a wholesale parts dealer

kewlasme2003 · Post by **kewlasme2003** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:32 pm

I'm looking for a wholesaler either online or in the Austin, TX area. The flute that I have I bought for $16 on ebay, so I'm not looking to spend $200 on repairs. I am confident in my abilities, but cannot find anyone who will sell me new flute parts. Right now I'm looking for the pin that holds in the left hand pinky key. Anyone have any ideas?

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:00 pm

Here are some online suppliers of repair parts and tools:

http://www.ferreestools.com/
http://www.jlsmithco.com/
http://www.musicmedic.com/
http://www.votawtool.com/

Note though that while pins are used in some flute keys, the G# (left hand pinky key) is NOT normally pinned. Are you looking for the steel (key shaft) that mounts the G# key? There are no universal replacements for these types of flute parts. Every brand is different - different diameter, different length, different thread. It's very similar to car parts - you can't generally put a Ford starter on a Chevy engine...

Some of the vendors listed above sell steels for a few of the common brands (Armstrong, Artley, Gemeinhardt, Jupiter, Yamaha, etc.), but for off-brands, you'll have to try the manufacturer or U.S Distributer and good luck trying to get parts in that case. Often, when repair shops need replacement steels, they custom make one to fit - that may be your only option.