All horns are estimated on an individual basis. These guidelines illustrate how I approach the craft.
Tune Ups: $75 - $800.
The goal of this job is to get your horn into the best playing condition for the least amount of labor time. All the meticulous work that goes into Full Mechanical Rebuilds and Overhauls is not necessary for this job. There are lots of horns being played in the world with loose keywork and old adjustment materials.
Professional Tune Ups: Start at $500 and go up from there. It is unlikely to be less unless it is a genuine quick-fix.
YES, there are times when the adjustments need to be made quickly, or they are done in such a way as to strategically ignore select problems for expediency in a While-You-Wait Repair scenario, but that's not what we are talking about. We're talking about a real tune up, and more often than not these jobs fall within a higher price range.
Repads: $1,500.
In comparison to Overhauls and Full Mechanical Rebuilds, Repads require more frequent and more costly subsequent shop visits because without the stability of tight keywork that is included in more extensive jobs, the adjustments will not hold as long. That being said, you should know there is nothing wrong with opting for either of these jobs, however, to put it in dangerously simple terms, you should consider these a extensive Tune-Ups."
Overhauls: $2,000.
Overhauls are very detailed mechanical repairs that involve a great deal of key fitting and provide you with years of longevity, but the key fitting is done to factory specs only."
Full Mechanical Rebuilds: $3,000.
Key fitting. Extensive key fitting is the biggest difference between Full Mechanical Rebuilds and all other repairs and it requires more time on the bench...The key work on your horn should not move in any of the above described ways. It should be so tight that you can not make the keys move laterally, concentrically, or within the posts. Achieving this level of mechanical accuracy takes a lot of time. And that is the main reason Full Mechanical Rebuilds are so different from all other repairs."
Tune Ups: $75 - $800.
The goal of this job is to get your horn into the best playing condition for the least amount of labor time. All the meticulous work that goes into Full Mechanical Rebuilds and Overhauls is not necessary for this job. There are lots of horns being played in the world with loose keywork and old adjustment materials.
Professional Tune Ups: Start at $500 and go up from there. It is unlikely to be less unless it is a genuine quick-fix.
YES, there are times when the adjustments need to be made quickly, or they are done in such a way as to strategically ignore select problems for expediency in a While-You-Wait Repair scenario, but that's not what we are talking about. We're talking about a real tune up, and more often than not these jobs fall within a higher price range.
Repads: $1,500.
In comparison to Overhauls and Full Mechanical Rebuilds, Repads require more frequent and more costly subsequent shop visits because without the stability of tight keywork that is included in more extensive jobs, the adjustments will not hold as long. That being said, you should know there is nothing wrong with opting for either of these jobs, however, to put it in dangerously simple terms, you should consider these a extensive Tune-Ups."
Overhauls: $2,000.
Overhauls are very detailed mechanical repairs that involve a great deal of key fitting and provide you with years of longevity, but the key fitting is done to factory specs only."
Full Mechanical Rebuilds: $3,000.
Key fitting. Extensive key fitting is the biggest difference between Full Mechanical Rebuilds and all other repairs and it requires more time on the bench...The key work on your horn should not move in any of the above described ways. It should be so tight that you can not make the keys move laterally, concentrically, or within the posts. Achieving this level of mechanical accuracy takes a lot of time. And that is the main reason Full Mechanical Rebuilds are so different from all other repairs."
