My lowest hole key broke off into two bits off my Roessler tenor recorder.
They aren’t made any more. Does anyone know anywhere that services recorders, or maybe a similar key mechanism part which I could transplant to use?
Thanks
Don’t know about recorder repair specifically … But flute wizard Jon Cornia (Jon C. here) does excellent key work and may be able to craft a repair or replacement for you.
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=522
If you’re in the UK, others may chime in with options closer to you. You could also ask the Early Music Shop (West Yorks):
Check with the Von Huene Workshop in Boston, Mass. They should be able to fix it.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
I’ll try Jon and the UK shop first, since I’m based here.
It’s unlikely a repair would work - the metal is so soft all around, and trying to weld it wouldn’t quite work.
Yes, good luck. I know that Jon C. does have the wherewithal to recast his own keys, which is why I thought of him.
Jem Hammond (jemtheflute here) does repairs like this to flute keys. He may be able to help. He’s in North Wales.
Thanks for the lead.
I’ve been playing it recently and the pads could probably do with replacing too. Aesthetically, it’s okay but the volume of the tones are very uneven due to the pad closure across the octave.
I guess I should think about a complete overhaul. Is it worth it on such an old instrument? Hmmm. I can’t tell. Guess I should find out how much a complete recorder service costs.
It most likely IS worth it. Some of the Roesslers are very fine instruments.
You might want to contact Roessler. Even if they don’t make your particular model, some of the current keys might work with minor modification.
Shops like Von Huene in Boston often have boxes of spare parts lying around from scrapped instruments. They do excellent work.
You could try John Bushby at Shearwater Music:
I offer the following advice as someone who used to be a professional recorder maker/repairer/restorer at the above mentioned Von Heune Workshop: If at all possible do try to take the instrument to someone reputable who specializes in Recorders - Irish flutes and Recorders are different, particularly with regards to the keywork. If you can have the original maker work on the instrument, that is often best, although not always… Failing that, someone local that has a good reputation in the recorder community should be the next choice if possible. In the U.S. Von Huene is does excellent work, however this time of year repair times can be a bit lengthy, best to check with Patrick Von Huene first on lead times if you need the instrument in a hurry. I can’t make any recommendations for outside the U.S., as I have been out of that loop for awhile now, but a call or email to Von Huene would get you some recommendations as they maintain ties to both makers and repair people worldwide.
Thanks -
yes my Roesslers are from the Dulcia range. I don’t think they’re going to start a museum craze or anything, but they do play very well. I’m outside of the USA as well. It’s just unfortunate that the Roesslers are discontinued, thus there’s no manufacturer to go to.
The last flute service I had quoted from a highly recommended nationwide flute store, offered £250 for a basic service, assuming there was no requirement to replace other parts. If a recorder service costed that much, it would completely floor me. I doubt mine are even worth that much although it is much cheaper than buying a new Mollenhauer or Kung. Given that it’s lasted this long, I suppose it would be great to have it working again with the full tonal range, and get a new one alongside it.
I’ll look into all the options - thanks everyone.