Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??

Subject: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: GUEST,Calach
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 11:26 AM

Hi, I just got a nice wee Bundy flute for nothing... but it badly needed a new set of pads.
Here, in Topeka, KS, they want to charge me $25 for such a set, but I can remember paying just six pounds in the uk last year!
Can anyone tell me the best place to get such a set? Locally? On-line?
Yours, Calach

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 11:57 AM

Have you tried a goggle search for flute and oboe pads
I found one place, don't know if its any good, and they don't show prices
here

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: GUEST,Calach
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 12:08 AM

Thanks, looks like a helpful site Roger! Ian in Kansas

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: Kaleea
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 12:30 AM

Are you looking to buy the set of pads & burn them on yourself? You might check the prices at: www.interstatemusic.com good luck?

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 12:51 AM

FWIW:

I've encountered the same sort of thing with a couple of saxophones that I'd like to get back into playing shape. One of them was re-padded some years back for about $35 dollars (US) including full servicing on all of the springs, corks, and pad seats and such.

The most recent estimates I've gotten for similar service is about $1600 each.

The story I get from the few pad sources I've found is that the pads don't come in sets. You have to order them individually, and the going rate seems to be close to $2 per pad.

Since I can't add any useful info, consider this a "refresh" and we'll both watch for someone with something helpful.

John

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From:
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 12:59 AM

when i went in to have my poor little bundy cleaned and re-padded etc. I was quoted at over $150.00 so perhaps they were offering a cleaning with that re-padding. Good luck Jill

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 03:35 AM

There is a website about wooden flutes that talks about pads etc and Hobgoblin do a book called the Flute book which explains about repairs including repadding. Can't do the blue clicky things yet I'm afraid. Also someone told me that saxaphone pads are cheaper and that you can buy sets for alto sax that will do for wooden flutes. Other than that I find blu-tack is very effective and for joints good old cotton with that plumbing tape over the top!!!

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: mooman
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 05:12 AM

Dear JohninKansas

$1600 each for a service!!!! (sharp intake of breath)

Now I know why I couldn't earn a living as an instrument repairer...I was charging too reasonable a rate!

You can certainly get saxophone, flute and other wind instrument pad sets for a reasonable price and replacement isn't particularly difficult. Spring replacement, corks and general overhaul and cleaning isn't rocket science either. The only thing I consider a real "craftsman" job on brass instruments and saxos is repair of dents and similar which is tricky. I'll check a couple of suppliers I used to use in the UK and get back.

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 11:56 AM

repad

Subject: RE: Help: Flute pads? Flute repairs??
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 01:47 PM

Good info RiS.

mooman,- I'm pretty sure the quotes I got were more of an indication that the shops were busy and didn't really want any more work at the time. It was near the start of a "school year."

Repair of my saxophones has become a rather low priority, since in the interim of thinking about it I've lost my teeth (well they hurt when I bite so I keep them mostly in my pocket) and I'm not at all sure that my rather ancient lungs could stand the pressure.

I guess the point was meant to be that everything goes up except musicians' incomes.

John