Charles Fail's Blog

What is an overhaul?

From our experience, it means many different things depending on who you ask. At Golden Era, our woodwind overhauls consist of the following.:

• The instrument is disassembled and inspected. Any checks or small cracks in the wood are repaired. If metal, any dents removed. Any imperfections in tone holes are addressed.
• All loose motion in the mechanism is removed by refitting the keys to rods or countersinking pivot points.
• The rods and screws are cleaned and inspected.
• The keys are polished and cleaned
• The wood (or metal) is polished, cleaned, and oiled.
• All needed springs are replaced if they are rusted or damaged.
• All key corks and joint corks are replaced.
• All pads are replaced with at least double-skin pads.
• The pads are seated overnight.
• The following day, the instrument is carefully adjusted and played by two different players. 
• When we receive an order, the instrument is again inspected and tested before it is carefully packed for shipment.