WELCOME TO THE SAX ALLEY WOODWIND PRO SHOP
All repairs that need to be completed before August 1 or the beginning of the school year need to be brought in by June 15.
At Sax Alley, the heart of our business is the repair shop, where we combine our passion for music with craftsmanship. Our reputation is built on high-quality repairs that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.
We at Sax Alley are music education advocates, and so offer perks for music educators and their students, please reach out and let us know how best to serve you. Whether you’re picking up your saxophone after years away, a student honing your craft, or a gigging professional, Sax Alley is here to help your instrument perform at its finest. Please explore our services and let us know how best to serve you.
Sax Alley Repair Prices
Play Condition (PC)
A Play Condition is the most basic service we offer. It ensures your instrument is leak-free and playing reliably. Neck recorking is included at no extra charge upon request.
This service is ideally scheduled between your yearly Clean-Oil-Adjust (C-O-A) to maintain performance and prevent major issues. Regular check ups catch issues early, saving you time and money on repairs.
Play Condition is billed at $75 per hour, and your final cost may vary depending on your instrument’s condition.
Below is our estimated cost by instrument based on a college-level student who visits us only once a year:
| Instrument | Cost |
| Flute | $225 |
| Clarinet | $225 |
| Bass Clarinet | $300 |
| Sopranino/Soprano Sax | $225 |
| Alto/Tenor Sax | $300 |
| Bari/Bass Sax | $375 |
Note on pad replacement:
Replacing pads requires key removal, installing a new pad, leveling, plus keywork regulation. Pad work is not included in the table above and is billed separately at $35 per pad.
Clean-Oil-Adjust (C-O-A)Replacing pads requires key removal, installing a new pad, leveling, plus keywork regulation. Pad work is not included in the table above and is billed separately at $35 per pad.
Clean-Oil-Adjust (C-O-A) is our second tier of service.
During a C-O-A, we fully disassemble your instrument, clean it thoroughly (Ultrasonic "Chemical" Cleaning available upon request), and address any mechanical issues during reassembly. We take special care to preserve as many pads corks and felts as possible, treating or replacing them when needed and addressing any mechanical binding and lost motion along the way. This service helps extend the life of your pads, reduces long term repair costs, and keeps your instrument playing its best for longer.
We recommend an annual C-O-A for "new-to-you" horns, or anyone playing more than 8 hours a week including students, gigging professionals, and serious amateurs. Pairing yearly Cleanings with regular Play Conditions in between is a fantastic way to keep your instrument in top shape year round.
Below is a price list for our C-O-A service including replacing up to 7 pads at no extra charge:
| Instrument | Cost |
| Flute | $450.00 |
| Clarinet | $450.00 |
| Bass Clarinet | $900.00 |
| Sopranino/Soprano Sax | $900.00 |
| Alto/Tenor Sax | $900.00 |
| Bari/Bass Sax | $1200.00 |
Complete Mechanical Restoration (Overhaul)
A Complete Mechanical Restoration is the most comprehensive service we offer.
A true overhaul means fully stripping the instrument, removing and replacing all key corks, felts, and pads, removing dents, realigning the body tube and posts, swedging keys, level tone holes and key cups, correct mechanical wear, and correct pull-down on the neck. In short we fine tune every detail until your instrument is sonically and mechanically immaculate, often playing better than factory condition.
We stock MusicMedic Tan Pads and Pisoni Pro Pads, but we're happy to install the pad and resonator combination of your choice.
This service is ideal for vintage horns and well-loved instruments in need of a mechanical restoration.
Below is the price list for our Overhauls. Pad Cost not included, as it typically ranges from $100-$200+ contingent on pads and resonator combo desired
| Instrument | Price |
| Flute | $500 |
| Clarinet | $500 |
| Bass Clarinet | $1750 |
| Sopranino/Soprano Sax | $1500 |
| Alto/Tenor Sax | $2000 |
| Bari/Bass Sax | $2800 |
Please note that additional charges may apply for extreme dent or solder work.
Additional Services
- Palm/Side Key Riser (ProPoxy): $35 per key
- Neck Cork Replacement: $35
- Pad Replacement: $35 per pad depending on size
- Spring Replacement: Each $35 per spring,
- Spring Replacement - Full Set $450
- Solder: $35
- Relacquer: $75 per hour
- Straighten Bent Body: $75
- Neck Expansion/Contraction: $75
- Adjust Action to Player Specifications: $105 per hour
- Pad Treatment for Stickiness: $105 per hour labor
- Dent Work: $105 per hour labor
- Pad Replacement with Buescher Snap-In Resonators: $105 per pad
- Buescher Norton Spring Replacement: $105 per hour labor, plus cost of materials
Repair Consultation
Every repair begins with one on one repair consultation.
We'll asses your instrument inside and out. Inspecting the pads, springs, dents, bends, and build up that may be holding your tone back. You'll get a clear, hands-on explanation of what we find, and together we build a plan that fits your budget, schedule and your horn's needs.
Due to each repair being custom tailored and preformed with care, our repair calendar is typically booked out 3+ months in advance. During your initial consultation, you may choose to leave your instrument in our care, or schedule pick up and drop off dates.
Consultations are always free but any repairs needed to be done "on the spot" will be billed at $105 labor plus parts.
Expedited Repairs
We take our promised turnaround times seriously, but emergencies do happen. For the rare situations where your horn is unplayable and time is critical, we offer an Expedited Repair Service.
We’ll work after hours including, late nights, early mornings, weekends, whatever it takes to get your horn playing by your next performance.
This service is billed at 2x the standard labor rate, reflecting queue priority, urgency, and after-hours dedication.
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