Klarinet Archive - Posting 000822.txt from 1998/06

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] mail order repairs?
Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 21:32:56 -0400

At 09:40 AM 6/24/98 -0400, Kevin Bowman wrote:
>I have a friend in rural Oregon (not sure exactly where)
>who would like to get her Selmer clarinet (a Signet, I
>think)overhauled basically, just have new pads put on).
>She told me that the nearest repair shop is 3 hours away
>and they want $300 for the job. This seemed a bit steep
>to me and I suggested that if she were going to ship the
>instrument someplace, she might as well check around for
>reputable repair shops with decent prices.
>
>My question is this: What are some decent repair shops in
>northwest U.S. and how much should she really expect to
>pay for an overhaul of this instrument? And is mail-order
>repair a good idea to begin with?
>
Sounds a bit high to me. I know the prices in our shop are somewhat lower
than average, but a repad only runs about $85. A full overhaul, which
involves a litttle bit more, is $140. We don't make a habit of taking
mail-ins from out of our local area (lower Michigan), but I'm sure you can
beat $300! Even WW and BW lists a repad/standard overhaul at $95/$150, or
"professional overhaul" at $275 which includes tonehole facing, etc. That
would probably be overkill on a Signet. Shipping would be extra, but it
should be safe enough to ship a clarinet insured. An established
relationship with a local shop is best, but since that option is not
available, I would send it to a more reasonably priced shop, especially if
you can check it out first, like you are trying to do through the list.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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