Basically, I took my flute apart, cleaned it, and in the process of putting it back together broke three springs. Can this be fixed? Also one of the screws that keeps the post in place is missing and I have no clue where it is. Can this be fixed as well? Please help, my flute looks like a disaster and I want to start playing it again!!!

-Raymond

The 3 springs consist of the ones above the trill keys and the one below the G natural key. (this whole thing really sucks...)

Yes it can,

Spring replacement is no big deal. Neither is the screw unless it is a no-name brand. Even if it is an off-brand flute, a competent tech can make the right screw for you, except that it will cost a LOT more.

Expect it to run @ $25-30 bucks for 2 springs and replacing an in-stock screw.

(Run a magnet over your floor where you were working...You may be able to find the screw..)

Joe B

I have the three springs though. Is it possible to attach them back in some way myself?

not likely since part of the spring is still located in there somplace... and it will probably be too short now.

well I would think you could but i wouldn't unless you really want to do something very stupid. I would look around by where you live and find a music store that also repairs and find out their prices.

Did the springs fall out or break off? If they fell out then they were probably too loose to begin with and needed to be replaced.

Yes, the springs broke off because there is a very tiny piece left in the spring hole thingy. I called my local music shop already and they werent there so i left them a voicemail of what happened and what needs fixing.

Suzie, I would BEYOND appreciate that! I'll drop you a pm.

I have managed to put it back together except for the right hand keys because of a screw that got away. Now I just need those springs repaired...

Another Q: The music shop charges $60 to gold lip plate my headjoint. Is this fair? Because I would like to do that and also get the gold lining around the logo, like Kara does on those flutes she has. If its a fair deal, I would do it, but if its not then I don't want to spend the extra $$$

I play on a Gemeinhardt 3SH, and I'm located in Florida.

Well, if you disassembled and reassembled your flute, all alone and without knowing about it, a single broken spring could be a fair price to pay for the experience. If you lost a screw it means you were not careful enough with choosing the right place to do it (i.e doing it over a clean white cloth on a suitable table). Small parts can fall very easily, the question is being able to find them quicly. This could be also sort of a lesson.

I am sure the next time you will do much better. I also disassembled my Gemeinhardt a few years ago (though broke no springs) and learnt a lot in the process.

Yea, quite a lesson I have learned...I got a pivot screw from Suzie, who I am very grateful towards.

But I'm still wondering: Gold lip plate? Is $60 fair? But I want the gold outline as well. How much does that go for?

If you are referring to the rings on the flute being gold plated, I am not sure if a music store would offer that. You would have to ask. $60 is fair for a lip plate, though I don't personally charge that much because I am not a big business either.

What I mean is I've looked at your blogspot and you have the lip plate gold and also the outline around the logo and like the "rings" on the ends of the flute, not the whole flute itself. I also like those gemstone crowns, especially the red one.

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Oh, I reread your post and saw you corrected me, I thought you misunderstood my question. My mistake!! :)

My flute is now in the shop! The tech seems pretty confident he can easily fix it, I was kindly supplied a pivot screw by Suzie, who I thank IMMENSELY!!

It's going to cost between $48-$65 for the complete repair, including spring replacement, adjustment, and recorking in some areas. My flute should be ready by Friday, and I'm so excited to play it again!!!!(not a day goes by that a don't play it, so you just understand these past few days have been painful for me.)

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*you just=you must.