Woodwind Repair Help?

Question

Hi i live in the Peterborough area uk i am trying to get started

in Woodwind repair i have my books. but i need an old Saxophone/Clarinet to practice on iv tried ebay, local schools collages, nearest repairman can anyone suggest anything else or were i cou;d try .i cant affoard to go and buy them i have an email add its [e-mail] thank you

Answer 1

You won't find anything for free because even the most damaged instrument is useful for parts.  The sum of the parts is worth more than the whole.

Ebay is the place to look for "fixer-upper" instruments.  Not too many years ago I used to buy cheap damaged instruments on eBay, repair them, and then resell them for a pretty profit.

Sadly, other people noticed that was possible too and the price of the "fixer-upper" instruments went up.  There are still $25 clarinets on eBay though - get one.

Bundy clarinets and flutes are still pretty cheap and the parts are readily available.  That's what I'd suggest looking at.  Suck it up and buy one, repair it, resell and use the money to buy more.

Just be sure you're putting out good work if you start reselling.  Every instrument you repair is part of your reputation.  Clarinets are easier to adjust than flutes.  Flute parts are cheaper than clarinet parts.  Saxophone repair isn't for a beginner - practice a few clarinets and flutes first.  Profits are much higher on a sax though, you want to work your way up to that.