I may have to repad a six key.
Possibly I can try it myself, but I’ve
never done it.
Supposing I want someone to do this
for me, who does one go to?
Go to a music shop – one that carries instruments. They will either do it themselves or have people they contract to do it.
Answer is very simple.
She is the best for this and any other traditional flute repairs or major servicings. And a great person besides.
Casey
By the way, a six-key flute should not be expensive to have repadded.
Don’t let them rook you into playing for a Boehm-system repad, which is usually on the order of several hundred dollars.
Also I would request that they use kidskin leather clarinet pads–I think these last longer on a wooden flute than do felt-and-fishskin pads.
–James
Thanks to all.
I guess I have Buddhist problems with kidskin.
We’ll see.
Sorry, Jim, I didn’t realize there was an issue with kidskin.
They also make synthetic leather pads, which work well.
Regular pads made of felt covered in goldbeater’s skin will work, I’m just not sure they last quite as long.
–James
As goldbeaters’ skin is also an animal product - from some kind of fish, I seem to recall, that would be no better for a vegan or strict vegetarian! Leather is definitely better for our kind of flute than skin. Synthetic should be fine, provided the way the pads are made can be fitted suitably in the key cups - which depends on form of said cups. Clarinet pads are usually 3mm deep and that can be too much on an old flute. Modern makers, if they are sensible, will have adapted their key design from the originals they copied in order for standard production pads to fit OK. Otherwise, you have to take the pads apart and thin the felt and/or card backing and reassemble before use - fiddly but not difficult - and unlikely to be done by a commercial repair tech unless you are very lucky! I say DIY.
Well see. It’s no emergency. Thanks!
I believe goldbeater’s skin is the tanned lining of a sheep’s intestine, not positive though.
Sounds gross, but it’s really not gross at allto work with.
Of course synthetics are plastic, which is often of petroleum origin, and may also be an animal product.
So I guess you pay your money and take your choice.
–James
I also use closed cell foam pads, they work quite well.
i can attest to that! probably cheaper, too.
Hi Jim,
I highly recommend St. Louis Woodwind & Brass, just north of you in Florissant. They repadded my old German 8-key. They do first class work and are the primary instrument repair shop for the St. Louis Symphony. Just Google them.
-Clay Hunter
ps: I’m planning on being at session this week unless something blows up at home.