Newcastle Flute Repairs

12/05/2026

This old Armstrong was in in need of some TLC, or COA!! I think I will buy an ultrasonic cleaner very soon, manual cleaning takes a lot of time.

18/09/2025

I am overhauling my Haynes silver flute, at 99 years of age she is still going strong. It is a much better quality instrument than most that come in for repairs. I am just completing the re-padding with new pads from Luke Penella

05/08/2022

Some flutes are just beautifully engineered and a pleasure to work on.. like this Trevor James handmade!

30/06/2021

Working on this Haynes flute was a pleasure. The engineering of this instrument is very accurate ..... a beautiful instrument.

10/06/2021

This is a $200 flute. I was asked if I could fix it. I said “no, it is not worth it”. I gave the student a. “Loaner” until they found a decent Yamaha to replace it. I fiddled around with it, straightened most parts and made it almost playable.... it was a challenge! I will use it for spare parts.

03/06/2020

This was my most challenging padding job so far...I dismantled and re-assembled this flute more than a dozen times......finally got those new pads seated and it plays well.

16/02/2019

Two woodys on the bench at one time, I love the tone of the wooden flute. I don't get many to work on, so it is a labour of love.

04/01/2019

I received two wooden fifes for repair today.....will see how that goes, definitely not standard size tone holes and pads!
These instruments were used extensively in NSW schools in the 1940s and 1950s and promoted by Mr Victor McMahon....prior to the days of plastic recorders!!

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21/11/2018

These would have to be the worst pads I have ever replaced.

14/10/2018

This bit of graffiti gave me a smile....clever. Thanks Morgan Paul Williams

08/10/2018

Helen’s lovely Buffet flute needed some new pads, re-seating three other pads, a new head joint cork, adjustments to the mechanism and making sure the head joint and body fit snugly. It was a labour of love! 😀