General Repair Services
Play Condition (P/C): This service includes mouthpipe swab and rinse, cleaning and greasing all slides, oiling and adjusting of valves, replacement of corks and felts as needed, re-stringing of rotors as needed and test play.
Chemical Cleaning (C/C): Chemical cleaning is important because contaminants building-up inside an instrument year-after-year will result in a chemical leaching of zinc from the copper/zinc alloy. This de-zincification will ultimately result in tubing splits and pinholes, especially in the mouthpipe. The cleaning starts with the disassembly of the instrument and the removal of built-up oil and grease. A chemical bath (usually a solution of hydrochloric or acetic acid) along with certain detergents, removes the corrosion, mineral scale and other foreign matter from the inside of the horn. When done correctly, no metal is removed in this process. Chromate baths (which were used through the 1970s) are environmentally damaging and tend to etch metal from the rotor and casing, so they are no longer used. During the chemical cleaning, we take steps to avoid damaging lacquered finishes. Also, any steel parts (springs, lever rods, and sometimes screws) are not immersed in the acid solution because they would react with the acid causing staining to exposed brass or silver parts, as well as oxidation (rust) to the steel components. After the cleaning, the rotors are bathed in oil and reassembled. Strings, felts and corks are replaced, and new springs are installed as needed. Slides are greased, levers and springs are oiled, and the instrument thoroughly checked.
Price: $120.00 (double horn) $95.00 (trumpet) $60.00 (straight tenor) $85.00 (F attachment tbn) $105.00 (dual rotor bone) $35.00 (tuba per piston) $45.00 (tuba per rotor)
Dent Removal: Houghton Custom Horns combines the newest Magnetic Dent Removal techniques as well as traditional repair practices. No longer is any dent "unreachable." Priced upon inspection
Solder Joints: Broken braces, broken ferrules. Many times, we can find a broken joint or brace even though the player doesn't know exactly what the problem is, only that the instrument is not playing correctly.
Priced upon inspection
Valve Stops, Corks and Felts: Valve stops, corks and felts play an integral part in the alignment of the valve. Stop material is available in a variety of hardnesses: synthetic rubber (neoprene), natural silicone and an intermediate grade silicone. Natural cork is also available - nature's solution has been used by instrument makers for hundreds of years. Though cork may eventually crack or get brittle, there is no easier material to swap-out in an emergency. Harder materials give a very positive feel and prevent bounce or "flutter" at the end of the stroke. Softer materials feel more forgiving under the fingers and are quieter. Traditionally, felts were made from wool, but synthetic fibers and rubberized felts are now commonly used. The newest Conn tubas use a molded rubber "felt." On rotary valves, bumper installations should include shaping the stop plates to hold the material firmly without compressing or cutting, and carefully aligning valve ports on the witness marks.
Replace Valve Stop Corks: $25.00
Amado Waterkey Installed: Price: $30.00
Standard Waterkey Installed: $45.00
