How does one find a repairperson in St. Louis, say,
who can do a good job of repadding a simple
system flute?
How long do flute pads on such instruments
last, more or less?
Thanks
Any repairman who can repad a clarinet can repad a simple system flute.
It’s not the touchy job that padding and regulating a Boehm system flute is, either, because we’re only talking either 6 or 8 pads that don’t have to be shimmed, they can just be floated in on shellac. There are no key mechanisms to be regulated, which also considerably simplifies the job.
You can have them use either leather or felt-and-fishskin pads, your preference–I prefer leather ones, myself. With good care (keep them dry and don’t let oil get on them) either kind should last for at least several years.
I once had pads on my Boehm-system flute that were getting close to 20 years old before I replaced them.
–James
Look in the mirror grass hopper…
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=20500&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
If you’re feeling brave, the silicone pad method really does work, and there is no way you can harm your flute doing this (you can pull them out if you don’t like them and then pay someone to do it).
Total cost…about $3.
Eric
Eric, my old 8-key is coming round soon for pad replacement…the leather pads have gotten hard and unyielding through the years.
My current plan is to try the silicone repad on this flute. I have experience padding instruments the other way, with cork, leather, or fishskin pads, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this compares.
Once done, I’ll post to share my thoughts.
–James
James - One of the great things about the silicone method is that the key seats don’t have to be perfect…which is great for old flutes. Do let me know how it went.
My Sweet 4 key has one silicone pad, one white pad, and two reddish/leatherish colored pads…these were all replaced before I bought it, but I’m watching them to see how they change over time.
I wonder how the pads on my former flute, the old German flute Mary (Whistlin Dixie) bought, are doing. I used the silicone method on all 8 keys (the bottom two were the trickiest - having to tie them down as well as trim them so they allowed the D and C# to vent properly).
Mary - are they all still in place and sound? Or, did you end up selling the flute?
Eric