Whether you need a routine tune-up or a complete overhaul, Ellis Music's repair staff can get your instrument in shape!
Our expert technicians repair brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, as well as certain electronic instruments. They can fix most problems, whether the issue is damage-related or not. They work on privately-owned instruments, school/institutional instruments, and rental instruments. The Ellis Music repair shop fixes instruments for professional musicians and also maintains thousands of student model instruments each year.
So, regardless of where your instrument came from and how old it is, we can assess its condition and make recommendations for restoring it to prime condition. It's no fun playing an instrument that is out of adjustment... get your instrument checked out and rediscover the joy of music.
Repair estimates are free, whether the instrument was purchased from Ellis Music Company or elsewhere. Customers can request a loaner instrument to use while their instrument is being fixed, which helps to ensure that valuable practice time is not lost.
Our shop utilizes the latest cleaning technology in the industry with our Ultrasonic Cleaner®. This machine uses high-pitched sound waves to remove debris more effectively than by traditional methods. It is also a "greener" approach to cleaning, as the chemicals used are biodegradable, making it safe to the environment, technicians, and most importantly, customers and their instruments.
Repair Services Provided
Chances are good that if your brass, woodwind, percussion, or electronic instrument needs repair, we can fix it! Select an instrument family to see a sample of the types of repairs we can perform. Estimates are FREE!
There are multiple ways you can get your instrument to our repair shop...
Drop off the instrument at our store in Bethel, Vt.
Feel free to stop by anytime the store is open and a repair technician can assess your instrument. If you want to work with a specific repair technician, we strongly suggest calling in advance to schedule an appointment. Ellis Music is located conveniently close to Interstate 89. Refer to our contact page for business hours and directions.
Schedule a pickup at a VT or NH school
To schedule a repair pickup at a school in Vermont or New Hampshire during the academic year, either call Ellis Music or submit our online pickup request form. Rental instruments can be picked up and dropped off through the music department at your local school. Privately owned (non-rental) instruments can often be handled this way also, but it is your responsibility to make arrangements with the school's instrumental music teacher in advance.
Ship the instrument via UPS or USPS
We strongly suggest using a shipping method that allows you to track your instrument. Print out our Instrument Repair PDF form, fill in your information, and put the form inside your instrument case with the instrument. Then pack the instrument case securely in a shipping box and take it to the shipper of your choice. Be sure to read our Shipping Instructions for important addressing information.
When I came in the technician explained the minimum that would need to be done to bring my flute back to health, and also took the time to explain how a complete refurbishing could actually save me money if I was really going to get into playing the flute again. Her expertise and attitude greatly impressed me. There was no pressure, and I knew I was getting an honest appraisal.
Your instrument will need to be inspected by a repair technician in order to determine the amount of work needed to restore your instrument to prime playing condition and provide you with an estimated cost of any repairs. Estimates are free! You just need to get the instrument to Ellis Music somehow (see options elsewhere on this page).
A repair technician can provide you with an estimated repair time after examining your instrument. Basic maintenance can usually be completed within one week (two weeks during busy seasons). Repads and overhauls can take a month or more, depending on the volume of instruments in the repair shop. Every now and then, an instrument requires only minor adjustments or quick repairs that can be completed while you wait – such as pulling out a stuck mouthpiece from a brass instrument – but in general, plan on having to leave your instrument at the repair shop.
Yes! Our skilled repair technicians maintain our fleet of rental instruments, but they also spend a great deal of time repairing instruments that are owned by individuals. Estimates are free of charge.
Yes, typically. You will need to request a loaner instrument by calling Ellis Music or indicating on our repair form that you need a loaner; we do not assume that one is needed. We have loaners for most of the instruments we rent. All of our loaners are student models. In cases where we have a limited number of loaners available, there may be a waiting list, and preference is given to rental customers. There is no charge for borrowing a loaner instrument.
Brass Repairs
Dent removal
Cork replacement
Water key replacement
Freeing stuck slides
Removing stuck mouthpieces
Soldering
Valve refitting
Internal cleaning
Polishing
Fabricating parts
Woodwind Repairs
Pad replacement
Cork replacement
Spring replacement
Straightening bent keys
Soldering
Oiling
Internal cleaning
Adjustments & regulation
Crack pinning, filling, and seam repair
Polishing
Fabricating parts
Strings Repairs
String replacement
Peg replacement, shortening, and refitting
Bridge replacement, adjusting, and refitting
Soundpost replacement and refitting
Tailgut replacement and adjustment
Fingerboard removal, regluing, shimming, and replacement
Nut replacement and adjustment
Neck reset
Percussion Repairs
Head replacement
Tuning
Snare/throw repair and replacement
Hardware part replacement
Timpani tuning guage installation, repair, and replacement
Mallet percussion key restringing
Retrofitting
** Due to the time and labor involved, there is a $55 minimum charge for timpani, chimes, marimbas, xylophones, and vibraphones that are picked up at a school by an Ellis Music representative, whether or not the instrument is repaired.
Electronics Repairs
General cleaning and checkup of keyboards
Replacing keys, springs, and parts of most keyboard models
Basic setup of electric guitars and basses
Replacement of pots, jacks, switches, and pickups in electric guitars
Re-stringing of electric guitars and basses
** There is a $55 minimum bench charge for electronics repairs, whether or not the instrument is repaired.
How to Ship an Instrument to Ellis Music
Please write your name and the date you are shipping the instrument on a piece of paper and put that inside the instrument case. Then pack the instrument in a box.
The shipping address to use depends on which shipper you choose.
If mailing the instrument via the U.S. Postal Service, the address to use is:
Ellis Music Company
P.O. Box 437
Bethel, VT 05032
If mailing the instrument via UPS or FedEx, the address to use is:
Ellis Music Company
1709 Vermont Route 107
Bethel, VT 05032
We strongly suggest using a shipping method that will provide you with a tracking number.
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