Author: GoldenBoy
Date: 2014-09-19 07:28
Hello all,
I've been having a heck of a time getting even a simple service accomplished on my new (used) oboe, and am wondering what others' experiences have been getting an instrument touched up and in good mechanical order. (Usually I would just do the work myself, but since the oboe is new to me I wanted to go to a true professional this time.)
So I found someone to do a "full service" here in NYC. He had it for 6 days and charged me $386.00. ($350 plus tax and $5 to replace a messed-up adjustment screw.) Considering it was playing well and sealing very well before I brought it in, needed no pads (just several bumpers and a good cleaning), I assumed I would get it back in perfect order for that price.
Well, I got it back yesterday and not one bumper was replaced! Upon questioning the repair tech, I was told that bumpers aren't included in a full service, and that replacing any bumper corks would have been up to $150 dollars extra.
Has anyone else ever had an experience like this? Whats a service if not replacing little bits that have fallen off the instrument over time?? On top of it, the instrument is still incredibly dirty (key oil still black as tar, toneholes still gunked up, and wood still grimy). Still waiting for a reply from him, but I'm aiming for a full refund minus the cost of the screw.
Anyone have a good repair guy in the NYC area for quick touch-up work like this? I know of lots of great people but they're all far away from here, and always backed up with work!
Sorry for the rant.
Post Edited (2014-09-20 09:01)
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