When Is It Time to Take Your Band Instrument In for Service?

Your instrument looks or feels different, and you’re feeling panicked about what to do next. Chances are you know how to care for your instrument daily, but you may find it difficult to differentiate between issues you can fix yourself and those needing professional attention. Even if your brass, woodwind, or string instrument was recently serviced, it could be time to fix something else! 

Luckily, professional repair technicians are trained to take your broken instrument’s status from “work order” to “working order”! Keep reading to learn the signs that your instrument needs professional care, and discover solutions to the most common band and orchestra instrument issues.

Brass InstrumentsWoodwind InstrumentsString InstrumentsDIY: Do You Have What It Takes?Repairs at Sweetwater

Brass Instruments

The mechanical issues you’ll encounter as a brass player will vary depending on your instrument. Among the most common, however, are stuck tuning slides, frozen valves, and dents. According to our Band & Orchestra repair technicians at Sweetwater, these issues often mean that the instrument needs to come in for a professional ultrasonic or chemical clean. Removing buildup or residue from the instrument will help it function at full capacity, allowing you to control the instrument more easily.

If you’re noticing your slide is moving slower than usual, then you might be able to remedy the problem yourself by giving your horn a quick bath and applying some high-quality slide grease. 

If your instrument has a tuning slide that won’t budge, then don’t yank on it! If you can’t move it with your bare hand, then there’s a good chance the horn has been sitting dormant long enough to warrant a professional cleaning. 

Obviously, when it comes to trombones, slide movement is paramount — you should never try to fix a trombone slide yourself! Scratches or dents are best handled by a professional repair technician.

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Fix it at home:

Stuck mouthpieceSlow valvesBroken valve spring

Take it to a repair shop:

Stuck tuning slidesFrozen valvesDents

Woodwind Instruments

Woodwinds are complicated instruments. They’re made up of many moving parts and materials, including (but not limited to) cork, brass, leather, rubber, wood, and other metals. As a result, they’re highly prone to malfunctions. Sometimes, you can fix the issue yourself. For example, when you have a loose screw, sticky pad, or cracked cork, it’s safe to make a temporary adjustment. There are plenty of quick-fix repair kits available, especially here at Sweetwater!

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However, if you notice a significant change in your instrument’s playability, such as a “stuffy” or “airy” sound or feel, then it’s time to take it in for service. 

Fix it at home:

Emergency cork or pad replacementLoose screws or pads

Take it to a repair shop:

Stuffy sound or leaking airBent keys or rods

String Instruments

The most common issues with string instruments are fallen bridges and/or sound posts, broken strings, and worn-out bow hair. Many players can handle changing their instrument’s strings, but fixing a bridge, sound post, or bow can get dicey. We recommend string players consult with a professional orchestral luthier before attempting to fix the issue themselves. In most cases, the only “repair” an untrained person should try is changing the strings on their instrument.

Fix it at home:

Changing strings

Take it to a repair shop:

Fallen bridge or sound postBow rehairOpen seamsImproperly fit tuning pegs

The best thing you can do to keep your tonewood in playing condition is perform routine maintenance. Know what your instrument feels like at its best, and take note of any changes. In the meantime, keep everything clean and orderly with a handy Sweetwater care kit!

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DIY: Do You Have What It Takes?

Although we highly recommend getting professional help for your instrument, we understand it’s not always possible (or necessary)! So, we asked our repair team for their favorite “holy grail” repair tools — things players should keep on hand if they need to make minor adjustments or remedy a preconcert mishap. Here they are: 

A soft cloth in the case to wipe down the instrument when it’s done being played. This is the only “tool” a player needs.A mouthpiece puller, like a Bobcat 179, is a great tool to have when a mouthpiece gets stuck in a brass instrument. A small screwdriver, like those found in an eyeglass repair kit, can be really handy.

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Repairs at Sweetwater

While many local repair shops do great work, waiting a week or longer to get your fixed instrument back is not uncommon. You might have to go without access to a loaner instrument, causing you to miss precious playing or practice time. This dilemma frequently leads players to procrastinate scheduling maintenance until their instrument urgently needs several repairs. 

That’s where Sweetwater comes in! Our on-site Service department is larger than most music retailers and is well-equipped to handle many repairs at any given time, so you can expect a quick turnaround time. Plus, our talented repair technicians take care of older gear in addition to gear that’s under warranty, so you’ll receive the same quality of customer service no matter what instrument you’re rocking.

The technicians in our Band & Orchestra Repair Shop have decades of experience, allowing them to quickly diagnose the issue you’re having with your instrument and get it back into playing condition. Regardless of the problem you’re experiencing, our technicians have probably seen it and fixed it hundreds of times already. Their job is to help you enjoy the fun part of owning an instrument: making music! 

To learn more about your options for service, including warranty coverage and repairs, contact our Service department at (800) 222-4700, extension 6400. If you already know what kind of work you need, then submit a SweetCare Repair Request Form.

Are you dealing with a damaged Sweetwater rental instrument? Accidents happen, and that’s okay! Our Band & Orchestra team understands that most outside insurance policies don’t cover rental instruments, which is why we offer a Rental Instrument Protection Plan. Instead of waiting for a repair person to complete the repair and return the instrument to you, they’ll take the damaged instrument off your hands and send a replacement instrument as soon as possible — often the same day you ask. That way, players can get back to playing in a matter of days. For more information about rentals at Sweetwater, check out our new and improved rental portal here:

Sweetwater’s NEW Band and Orchestra Instrument Rentals program provides top-quality instruments from reputable brands, flexible rental terms, free repairs, and the option to purchase at a discounted price, all with easy online ordering and free shipping. It’s an excellent choice for students, educators, and professionals in need of a reliable and convenient instrument rental service.

Band & Orchestra Instrument Rentals at SweetwaterSweetwater’s NEW Band and Orchestra Instrument Rentals program provides top-quality instruments from reputable brands, flexible rental terms, free repairs, and the option to purchase at a discounted price, all with easy online ordering and free shipping. It’s an excellent choice for students, educators, and professionals in need of a reliable and convenient instrument rental service.

Got a Fixer-upper?

As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t rush to a repair shop when you notice an issue with your instrument. Instead, we recommend asking a band director, lesson instructor, or another musician to look at it first. In many cases, they’ll at least be able to identify the problem, even if they can’t fix it themselves. When the instrument is due for routine service or needs help beyond a minor adjustment, it’s time to take it to a repair technician. For quick, hassle-free repairs or help with a rental instrument, don’t hesitate to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700. They’ll team up with our talented Service department to get a working instrument into your hands immediately.
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