Flute repair and trust.

[HMannfan]

When I purchased my new Pearl flute a few years ago, I made some assumptions that I now realize may have been erroneous. I assumed that the tone holes would be flat, that the keys would meet with them squarely, and that the padding work would have been accomplished to a high degree of competence. I assumed that paying $2000 instead of $200 would buy me this minimum quality workmanship.

I came to discover that at least one of these assumptions was incorrect. After taking lessons for almost a year and becoming more proficient at playing, I began to recognize that I doubtless had several leaking pads. After a trip to the only (by reputation) trusted flute technician in my area for a COA, my flute played FAR better than it had ever played before. The overall response of the instrument and my tone had improved greatly. Within a couple of months though, I was unhappy with the flute again. Feeling that something was wrong, I returned it to him. He assured me everything was fine. Unfortunately, he retired almost immediately after. (I don’t think there is a correlation .

Fast forward 6 months to today. Despite my having returned the instrument to him for inspection and his assurance that everything was fine, I had not been convinced and with good reason. I now know the F# key is leaking. Testing with a .001 inch feeler indicates the pad is leaking at the back because there is no resistance when withdrawing the feeler. I also observe that closing the E key or the D key (without closing the F key) causes the F key and the Bb key (not the Bb thumb key) to close slightly. There is mechanical interference which hinders the simultaneous closing of the F# key when the E or D keys are depressed. I can see the F# key spring hitting the back of the F key lever when the E or D keys are depressed. Without applying more force than should be required, the F# key will not seat sufficiently to seal.

It appears that the F# pad has been replaced, because its skin color is not the same as all the other pads. I think, therein lies the problem. I believe the pad is too thin. It does not project sufficiently from the key cup to seat before its spring contacts the F key lever forcing the F key and Bb key to close slightly. At the time of the COA everything may have appeared fine. But, over a short period of time, the fact that a problem existed became increasingly apparent to me. The flute just “didn’t sound right.” Even when taking a second look, my technician missed seeing the problem. Until today, I didn’t have a clue either. My close scrutiny of the instrument this morning revealed the problem.

This story illustrates my point. Nothing should be “assumed” regarding the playing condition of any flute or any of its parts as received from the factory or sometimes even from a seemingly competent technician. I am not bashing anyone. Stuff happens. A cursory playing of the instrument could lead you to believe that everything was fine. However, my more intense playing and careful attention to tone belied that assessment.

Most players are at the mercy of their repair technicians. If I were not so sensitive to sound and mechanically inclined to investigate what I was hearing, the problem would continue unabated until such time another COA was in order and the technician enlisted had an opportunity to observe the problem. But, would he?

I now recognize the importance of knowing for myself the workings of my flute so when taking it in for repair I can tell the technician more than “It just doesn’t sound right.” I also have a greater concern regarding the thoroughness of a technician’s scrutiny of an instrument when it is brought in for repair. Maybe my technician had become too intent on his pending retirement. Then again, perhaps this serves as an example of a legitimate reason some flute specialists charge $80 hr. to $100 hr. or more.

At this point I have no choice. I will have to ship my flute to a flute specialist and keep my fingers crossed that they do the job right. And I will have to pay the $250- $300 for the work plus $75 to $100 shipping costs.

[mirwa]

Pearls are generally pretty good.

They do however damage easily, No flutes truly have perfectly flat tone holes, they come pretty close.

It is good to have an understanding of whats wrong before you send it in for repair

[HMannfan]

Thank you mirwa. It is funny how a seemingly innocuous comment can jog thought.

Your comment about damage made me re-examine the contact by the spring. As it turns out, the end of the spring that was causing the binding was not on its proper perch. I only had to move it slightly to cause it to slip back into its intended perch and the problem was solved! The D and Bb keys no longer bind and move, and the F# key closes and appears to seal just fine. I must be more careful when wiping down the flute after play to avoid repeating that problem or causing another.

AND I apologize to my repair technician for doubting his key work. Thankfully, my faith has been restored.

Much grief and unnecessary expense have been averted!

Thank you again, mirwa.

[mirwa]

That's an easy one to happen, spring for f and f# sit next to each other, it's easy for the f# spring to get caught between the mech rather than sit in its cradle behind the mechanism.

Most pads are very forgiving, and slight discrepancies in tone hole levelness can be accommodated for, but there are pads that are not forgiving in slightly non level tone holes and the at the top of that list are straubinger pads.

Your point to having an understanding of ones flute is still a very valid one, there are a lot of people that say they can repair and offer repair services but in fact cannot repair or better they should not repair. So knowing how to evaluate is an important self tool.

Regards

Steve

Ps Mirwa is an acronym for my business (Musical Instrument Repairs WA)

[HMannfan]

Dear Steve,

That is exactly what happened. Because I am not a repairman, it was difficult for me to discern that the spring was out of position. The cradle for the spring is not at all similar to those on my old Selmer Signet. Besides, I never intended to attempt repairs on the Pearl. The lack of a qualified repairman coupled with the ongoing playing difficulties was driving me crazy.

In hindsight it was a simple problem with a simple solution, but far less than obvious to the layman.

Thank you for explaining the acronym.

In my case I refer the the great Jazz flutist Herbie Mann. My father gave me one of his albums in 1957 to encourage my interest in flute playing.

Mark