Here is a picture of our little shop!

Band Instrument Repair Specialists (BIRS) has provided professional quality musical instrument repair, rebuilding, and lacquering services for music stores, schools, OEMS,  and individuals throughout the nation since 1972. Our services can make your cherished instrument look and play like new. Valve rebuilding, obsolete part fabrication, and all types of plating are just a few of the extra services offered.  Complete overhauls, economy overhauls, and "Strip-buff-lacquer" jobs are available.

If you have a large quantity of instruments, we can tailor a pricing and delivery schedule to fit your needs. Everything from "playing conditions" to complete overhauls can be accommodated in a quantity package. Please call for more details.

In addition, a separate division installs and retrofits MIDI systems for Chemnitzer concertinas, button boxes, and many brands of accordions.  Repairs on electronic accordions and concertinas are also done. This is done on a reservation basis, so please feel free to call and ask for more information.

MIDI INSTALLATIONS

Installing MIDI in accordions, concertinas, and button accordions is another one of the many services offered at Band Instrument Repair Specialists. Each instrument is unique, and each installation must also be unique.

Brian Seehafer has been installing MIDI systems since the mid 1980's.  In general, no alterations are made to the exterior of the instrument, with the exception of the MIDI jack.  This preserves the aesthetic qualities of the instrument, as well as its value.  Any needed MIDI function controlling is usually done with some type of MIDI foot controller. Three channels (treble, chord, and bass) are usually used, although custom software can be used to provide up to 6 channels.  The system used for diatonic instruments is programmable and expandable to accommodate the various keyboard layouts of different instruments.

Instruments with "generators" can have their original systems removed and MIDI retrofitted.

All new installations use components called Hall sensors as key contacts.  This type of sensor detects a magnetic field, which is used to turn notes on and off.  Problems such as intermittent contacts, double contacts, and broken contacts are things of the past. This system does NOT send MIDI velocity or bellows sensitivity information.

All electronics are installed inside the instrument. A small power supply and two MIDI cords are included with the installation. Custom wiring to existing equipment is available.

Installation pricing somewhat varies depending on the design of the instrument.  Accordions with shifts in the middle of the grill (for example, PAN), take considerably more time.  Free-bass instruments, or instruments with a tone chamber also require more time.  Certain brands of concertinas may require more time depending on their keyboard construction and shift mechanism layout.  If you are considering installing MIDI, please check the condition of the rest of the instrument.  Any necessary tuning, waxing, or bellows work should be done before the MIDI installation.

A lifetime guarantee is offered on labor, provided any necessary service work is done by BIRS.  No credit is offered for service work done by anyone else.

Please call for more information on pricing and delivery schedule.