It is a rarity for me to work on location, but sometimes it is just not practical to remove and return a whole instrument.
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.
Lefima Tambourine repair (Job No: 1273)
This job is a classic example of a repair which on the surface looks straight forward and easy. The reality is that there are a lot of facets to the job from making and shaping the jingles to pinning the head in place.
Adams Timpani Repair (Job No: 1325)
Despite their age, these drums still have components that have been cheaply (and badly made). I remember from the last time that I saw these drums that the fork pressings were a bit tricky to get right and did not inspire me with confidence. Well finally they have started to go wrong on a regular basis, so I have been asked to come up with a solution. In this post I start to think about how to go about making replacements.
Premier 750 Vibraphone (Job No: 1227)
Premier made the 700 series vibraphone from 1947 – 61, then updated the frame calling it the 701 from 1961 – 79. So I was 5 when the latest version of the Premier vibe was made, which is why I am slightly confused as to exactly what model this vibe is. Confusion is my normal state especially when it comes to Premier’s instruments, this looks like a 700 series, but with a new (at the time) pedal system. The 700 had a damper system with a central pull rod and a small toe pedal, whereas the 701 has the long pedal. However I can’t remember how the top frame worked on the last 700 (with centre pull) I worked on, I think it was like this instrument.
Premier 751 Vibraphone (part 2) (Job No: 1279)
With the structure of the vibraphone stabilised in part one, I know look at the rest of the instrument discussing the importance on the damper system and my approach to doing this conversion.
Deagan Aurora (part 3) (Job No: 1256)
With the damper system fully overhauled and installed into the now working frame, the next part of the assembly are the resonators followed by the motor. Finally the note bars are put on and the instrument is ready to be played. So in the last of these posts this is the order in which I do the work.
Deagan Arora (part 2) (Job No: 1256)
There are several aspects to overhauling vibraphones; the instrument frame, the damper system, the resonators, the motor and finally the notes. In part one I looked at the damper system. In this post I look at the rest of the instrument, and everything needed doing!
Premier 751 Vibraphone (part 1) (Job No: 1279)
This post looks at the overhaul of a Premier 751 vibraphone, but essentially ends up as a soap box rant!
Premier Vibe Note Pegs (Job No: 1264)
The little rubber note peg caps that Premier use on their 7 series vibes, or rather the lack of them, has been a growing problem. After receiving more and more requests for them, the time had arrived for me to address the problem and produce an alternative spare part. This post contains an instructional video on how to use the final kit I produce.
Technical Support (Job No: 1275)
Because I am the person who looks after all the orchestral instruments belonging to a big company in instrument and backline hire, I was the obvious choice when it came to providing on site technical support.
