Instrument Repair

The majority of my time is spent servicing, repairing and modifying percussion instruments. The posts below demonstrate the diversity of instruments that I work on and my approach to the job.

Fitting My Replacement Motor System for Premier Vibes

Thursday 11 October 2018

This post are the fitting instructions for the replacement motor systems that I produce for Premier 701 or 751 vibraphones. I have designed the system so it is easy to fit to your instrument. The result is that I have done pretty much all the work for you, so all you need to do is drill a few holes and use a screwdriver.

Everything you need, plus a extras, are in the kit. Even the correct sized drill bits (to avoid any mistakes) and a small allen key are included.  Three different sized belts so that you can determine the best fit and a long kettle lead.

How to change damper bar felt

Wednesday 10 October 2018

In the immortal words of Axl Rose, “All we need is just a little patience (Patience)
Mm, yeah”
Changing the damper felt on a vibe is something that anyone can do; this post shows how I do it

Pixiphone Restoration (job#1416)

Tuesday 3 July 2018

An expensive and time consuming repair that cost me more to do than I charged, but the decision to take on the job was for reasons of my sanity; I was beginning to be lethargic due to inaction and that was making me feel apathetic and in that direction lies depression and other mental health issues; so I took action and created something of which I am proud and I sincerely hope that it continues to give joy to future generations of little percussionists.

Musser M55 Vibraphone (Job no: 1468)

Friday 20 October 2017

Everything that is recyclable is recycled in my workshop wherever possible. This includes Musser vibraphone frames, which are made from tin foil. Although not suitable for cooking food there are lots of other uses for old tin foil, imagination is the only limiting factor. But then I am a product of my generation who grew up watching a very limited selection of kids TV including Blue Peter which failed to transform my then wayward life unlike Tony Hart who was a genius.

Musser M55 Refurbishment (Job No: 1410)

Monday 11 September 2017

Farmers weekly states that the mental health of farmers is below the intergalactic average due to the boring nature of driving tractors around the same fields year after year. They go on to state that music has proved itself to be the best cure for psychological well being as well as improving fertility. They conclude that the best instruments to learn are percussion because you just hit ’em, plus Musser make stuff that you can easily convert for towing behind your Massive Ferguson.

Premier 701 Vibraphone Overhaul (Job No: 1351)

Tuesday 10 May 2016

This is the second of the three Premier 701 vibraphones that I am simultaneously working on and is therefore episode two in the, “aging Premier vibes” mini series.

The most obvious aesthetic difference of this vibe (which is the oldest) compared to the other two is that the resonators were still polishing, the motor unit has changed from the push/pull rod speed change to a three stage pulley. The external note rails are polished, but the inner two are painted. However the rest of the components are from the original patterns: black balls in the damper bar, white end pegs, and chunky fanshaft bushes.

Premier 701 Vibraphone Repair (Job No: 1354)

Saturday 7 May 2016

This is the first part of mini series, “Aging Premier Vibes”.

I have three Premier 701 vibraphones in for repair, so I have taken the opportunity to look at the development of vibe as well as discussing the repairs.

Premier updated the 700 series vibraphone to the 701 series in 1963. There is no further differentiation in terms of model and serial numbers to go on to help determine the age of an instrument. Old spare parts manuals do provide a guide and put a time period around the type of motor used. However the problem is that Premier went through a development period where several different systems were employed, more than listed in the parts manuals.

Premier Fibreglass Timpani (Job No: 1283)

Sunday 1 May 2016

Premier Percussion have been making their timpani with glass fibre bowls for a long time now. The actual production method has varied both with developments of available materials and with expertise. However one issue constantly raises its head – empty cavities around the bearing edge often leading to osmosis. These cavities are discovered when the bearing edge collapses, so obviously need to be repaired.