Repair Terms

Repair Terms

ADJUSTING SCREW -  a small screw that causes two keys to move together in combination to create a specific note. Many professional and handmade Flutes do not have adjustment screws and use a shimming method to regulate the combinations (see "Shims" below!). 

CLEAN, OIL, ADJUST - an annual maintenance performed on a Flute or Piccolo.  Also referred to as a COA, it  includes a complete cleaning, oiling, light polishing of the instrument and mechanism, headjoint cork replacement, removal of lost motion, adjustments, key regulation (leak detection!) and pad replacement as necessary.

LEAK - a place between the tone hole and the pad where air is escaping.  This can create a slight change in color on a single note or make the entire instrument unplayable, depending on the severity.  See, it wasn't just you!

LOST MOTION - refers to a key that makes a small stop or bump before it is depressed all the way. A shim is a paper or plastic washer (donut) that is used behind the pad in the key cup to help create a better seal between the pad and the tone hole. Both whole and partial shims may be used. 

OVERHAUL - includes the replacement of all pads, corks and felts, replacement of the headjoint cork, refitting of the entire mechanism, removal of light dents and scratches, fitting of headjoint or footjoint as necessary, as well as a complete hand polish of the body and key work.

SHIM - a paper or plastic washer (donut) that is used behind the pad in the key cup to help create a better seal between the pad and the tone hole.