Oboe & English Horn Service and Repair

A COA is annual maintenance which helps keep your instrument in optimum playing condition and helps prevent wear and tear of the mechanism. It also provides the technician an opportunity to carefully assess the body, pads and mechanism for potential issues which can't be seen without completely disassembling the instrument.  This allows proactive replacement of worn key corks (silencers),  pads etc. before they start causing major issues. 

To better serve the needs of double reed clients, KJWR offers  two separate types of COAs:

Minor COA

The goal of a minor COA is to return an instrument to reasonable playing condition. 

Pads with minor imperfections (small leaks) will be left, and silencing materials will only be replaced if missing or worn completely though. This means while the instrument will play well, it may still have some additional key/mechanism noise, and may not have the airtight seal one should expect from a major COA (or overhaul).  If more than 3 pads require replacement the client will be contacted, as this exceeds the parameters of a Minor COA. Cosmetic issues are not addressed in a Minor COA

Minor COAs typically take between 2 and 4 hours to complete, and are booked in for 2 full days to allow for any settling and final adjustments. 

A Minor COA involves: 

• Spot oiling of the key mechanism
• The bore is oiled only if needed.
• Vents are cleaned to make sure they are free of debris. 
• Major key wear and mechanism is addressed (some noise may still remain)
• All pads, key corks and silencing materials are assessed for wear, however only those requiring replacement for the instrument to be playable are replaced.
• The instrument regulated for good playing condition (however will not be airtight) and is then play tested. 

Complete COA

The goal of a Complete COA is to return the instrument to the best possible playing condition. The expectation is that both upper and lower joints, when tested, will have an airtight seal. If more than 8 pads need to be replaced  the client will be contacted, as additional charges will apply.  If you haven't had maintenance on your Oboe/ English Horn in the last 24 months, please assume you will need a Complete COA. Complete COAs typically take 4-6 hours and are booked in for 2-3 days to allow for any settling and final adjustments.

A Complete COA typically involves: 

• The complete disassembly of the instrument, including disassembly of the key mechanism itself.   
• Keys are hand cleaned (but not polished).
• The body (including the bore) is inspected, cleaned and oiled if needed.
• All posts are checked, and if loose are repaired.
• Vents are cleaned to make sure they are free of debris. 
• The mechanism is cleaned and new oil applied.  
• All pads, key corks and silencing materials are assessed for wear and replaced if needed. 
• The entire instrument is precision regulated, checked for air tightness and play tested.