There are many facets involved in the repair and rebuilding of wind instruments.  BIRS will always try to answer as many questions as possible. Below is some general information on our policies and about overhauling instruments that you may find helpful.

 

PRICING:                    Our overhaul prices do NOT include any parts,  plating, or shipping charges.

 

TERMS:                       All instruments are returned COD.  Credit cards may also be used.  Retailers, please call for dealer pricing.

 

ESTIMATES:               It is very difficult to come up with an accurate estimate until we inspect the instrument and begin work on it.  This is because the "red rot" present in parts does not show up until the lacquer or plating has been removed and the instrument has been disassembled.  You can examine the instrument for pink spots on mouthpipes and slide crooks, and look for worn plating spots on valves.  These pink spots are an indication that the part is rotten and will need to be replaced.  IF WE OVERHAUL YOUR INSTRUMENT AND YOU DO NOT WANT ROTTEN PARTS REPLACED, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THE LACQUER JOB!

 

VINTAGE

INSTRUMENTS:        Original parts for many older classic instruments are getting very difficult, if not impossible to obtain.  This is especially true of older French brasses.  When we need to replace a part that is no longer available, we always try to use a substitute that is mechanically, acoustically, and cosmetically as close as possible to the original.

 

PRO HORNS:            BIRS takes care, patience, and pride in the repair and restoration of all instruments, but makes an extra effort on all professional horns.  For your information, here is a partial list of the instruments that we regard as professional.  If you are in doubt as to the status of a particular instrument, please give us a call.

 

 

REPAIR
PROCESSES:           One of the most important aspects of instrument overhauling is the proper preparation of bent, dented and scratched metal.  Before an instrument can be buffed, polished, and lacquered, it must be restored as much as possible to original factory specifications.  Dents must be removed and burnished to a smooth, level surface.  Pits, scratches and surface etching must be lightly hand filed and sanded out, always removing the LEAST amount of metal possible.  We pay special attention to engraving, valve knuckles

and tubing edges, and buff our instruments in several sub-assemblies to produce a higher quality finished product.  More

instruments are ruined in overhauling by overbuffing than any other cause. Overbuffing is shoddy workmanship, and we do NOT

allow it on any instrument.  We operate with two firm principles in mind: 1) the instrument that you receive from us should look new,

not overhauled, and 2) it should be possible to overhaul the instrument again at a later date.  THESE principles are certainly subject

to the condition of the instrument when you send it to us.

 

LACQUER:              All brass overhauls are finished with clear oven baked epoxy lacquer.  We also have a dark gold lacquer and a tinted lacquer that is similar to the lacquer on vintage instruments.

 

MISC:                      We reserve the right to add extra charges for instruments that are in very poor condition, or for instruments that require an inordinate amount of extra work.  You will be notified of such charges before we begin work on the instrument.