When does my flute need maintenance?
Your flute needs regular maintenance to continue sounding good and playing smoothly. Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of your flute. It is wise to have your flute professionally maintained once a year. Depending on the age and condition of your instrument, there are various maintenance appointments your instrument needs.
After approximately 1 year of purchase – Service appointment
After the first year of use, it is usually necessary to fully check and adjust the mechanism.
Schedule an appointment about a month in advance. Preferably on a Saturday. This maintenance is completed the same day and is free at Adams.
After approximately 2 years of purchase – COA (Clean, Oil and Adjust)
During a Clean, Oil and Adjust – a COA – the entire flute is carefully disassembled. Then, the entire instrument is thoroughly cleaned. The flute is hand-polished. After cleaning, the keys are reassembled and precisely adjusted. The axles of the instrument are oiled. Where necessary, some worn parts, such as pads, corks, and felts, are replaced.
This maintenance takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks. We ask you to schedule an appointment about 2 months in advance.
After approximately 3 years of purchase – Maintenance appointment
After having a COA the year before, a check and adjustment of the mechanism is necessary in the third year after purchasing your flute. Additionally, during this maintenance appointment, the hinge points are lubricated and the pads are checked.
This maintenance takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks. We ask you to schedule an appointment about 1 month in advance.
After approximately 4-6 years of purchase – Overhaul
A complete overhaul brings the mechanism of your flute as close to new condition as possible. All felts, pads, and corks are replaced, and for renowned brands, we exclusively use original parts. If necessary or upon request, we also replace the D# key and trill keys. Then, we precisely adjust the keys for a perfect seal.
We advise against fully polishing the flute, as this removes valuable metal from the keys and body. Polishing and dent removal are therefore not part of the standard procedures but can be performed upon request. If unexpected additional work is needed, we will always consult with you first.
This maintenance takes approximately two weeks. We advise you to schedule an appointment at least six months in advance.
View our price list for current maintenance prices.
Visit us if you experience the following problems!
- When your flute responds poorly, has sticking keys, or does not close properly.
- When a key is bent or a screw is loose that you cannot tighten yourself.
- When a dull or muffled sound occurs that is not resolved by regular cleaning.
- When your instrument has fallen.