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Better than New Band Repair

Frequently Asked Questions


Repairs & Services


HOW LONG WILL MY REPAIR TAKE?

One of our certified repair technicians will look at your instrument when you bring it in and let you know how long your repair will take. We won't know exactly how long until they assess your instrument. It also depends on our current repair load and available technicians. We want to get your instrument back to you as quickly as possible. If you cannot be without your instrument, we can also put it in the repair queue and have you bring back your instrument for repair when it’s your turn. Short term rentals may be available while your instrument is being repaired.

Minor repairs can usually be done while you wait depending on current workload.



DO YOU FIX GUITARS/SPECIALTY INSTRUMENTS?

We can restring guitars, but recommend that you use a qualified luthier or guitar specialist for other repairs. We do have a technician that can do some repairs on orchestral string instruments.

We do not work on electronic instruments or pianos.

We have done restoration work on random items like a brass candelabra or a brass helmet before, so give us a call and we’ll see what we can do to help you with any of your instrument related needs!



DO YOU DO APPRAISALS?
We are happy to take a look at any instrument you have to tell you the current market value according to the condition of the instrument. Formal written insurance appraisals are $10.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRING MY INSTRUMENT IN TO BE CLEANED OR REPAIRED?

You should bring in your instrument whenever you feel it isn’t sounding or playing right for you or whenever you have an obvious repair need. We do free repair estimates and minor adjusts while you wait, if possible. Short term rental instruments may also be available while your instrument is in the shop.

For middle school musicians, a once a year check-up and cleaning is usually sufficient. The best time to bring it in is as soon as school is out, NOT at the end of summer when everyone is scrambling to get ready for school. Wait times for repairs and cleaning extend the further into summer we get and rush fees may apply.

For high school musicians, we recommend that you get a thorough cleaning of your marching instrument any time after marching season, but at least a month before summer band hits. If you only have one instrument you use for marching and concert seasons, December school break is a great time to come in. If you have a concert instrument that needs cleaning, bring it in May after school is out or in October-December after region try-outs.

We are available anytime of the year that you need a cleaning or a repair and will do our best to work with your music schedule so that you have your instrument when you need it. Give us a call and let’s get that instrument in tip-top shape!



CAN YOU FIX MY STUCK MOUTHPIECE?

YES!

Once you discover your mouthpiece is stuck, please bring it into the shop. We will remove it at minimal cost while you wait. Please don’t try to remove it yourself with tools. You could cause more damage and end up requiring costly repairs.



IS YOUR REPAIR WORK WARRANTIED?

Our repair work is warrantied for 30 days under normal wear with the following exceptions:

Instruments used on the marching field due to weather and marching conditions.

Reasonable care is taken when doing repairs, but not every damaged instrument is repairable nor does every repair come out perfectly due to the nature of and the tools used in repair work and the prior condition of the instrument. Discoloring or marring may occur, the sound of the instrument may change, replacement parts may differ from the original due to availability, and so forth. 

No instrument replacement warranty applies unless the instrument is damaged while in our care so that it is no longer playable.

Having us do the repair work is your agreement to this policy.