Brass Custom Repairs

If you have a horn, new or old, that you like, but want to “tweak” it a little we can assist you in customizing your horn.  Here are just a few of the possible ways we can help.

• Move finger rings or hooks to have the horn fit you better.
• Strip the lacquer from the horn, leaving it in raw brass.
• Improve action on tuning slides to assist in tuning.  Helpful on 1st and 3rd slides on tubas, or even student trumpets not originally equipped with kick slides.
• Add trigger mechanisms to tuning slides.
• Install custom leadpipes or convert your instrument to accept removable leadpipes so you can exchange one for another for different playing characteristics or situations.  (Primarily for trumpet, trombone, and french horns.)
• Install a new bell or make it removable to give you more options with the same horn.
• Convert your regular french horn bell to a screw bell.
• Convert old style mechanical or string rotor linkage for modern Minibal linkage.
• Quiet down rotor valves by tightening bearings and removing end play.
• Restore lost compression by completely rebuilding valves.
• Correct piston valves for vertical and rotational misalignment.
• Even new horns can sometimes not play up to their full potential.  We have an “optimizing” set–up service.  We fit all valves or rotors, correct slide misalignments, correct valve misalignments, and remove excess solder from the inside bore.  Trombone handslides are completely disassembled and reassembled to assure positive action.

These are just a few of the many services we provide.  If you have any idea or a question about any of the repairs listed, please contact one of our brass specialists.  We will be glad to help!