[Trombone-l] cases (repairs)

[Eric Swanson]

On Jan 10, 2009, at 5:32 PM, Tom Ervin wrote:

> Trombone cases can be repaired, they all can, and the folks who do it
> best are usually not music stores or repairmen, but luggage repair
> stores.  New latches, locks, hinges, recovering, handles, interiors,
> all that can be done.  You might find a new case that fits your
> instrument perfectly; hope you do.   But if you've got a good fit, it
> can be saved several times.
>
> Do the repair guys on this list do this sorta work also?
>

Tom,

I don't know about most music stores these days, I haven't even been  
in one in many years, but back when I started, a good repair shop  
fixed the horn and the case too.  I did, and still do, glue up the  
cracks, replace handles, hinges and latches.  If the basic box is  
salvageable, I can usually make a case out of it.  If they don't  
stock the parts, any shop can order you the handles, etc. if they are  
willing.

Note:  Don't everybody send me your cases to fix.  Shipping costs  
will send it up over the cost of a new case fast.

I am actually curious if other instrument repair shops still fix  
cases too.  I think it would be hard to find a luggage repair shop  
that would redo the interior or exterior without it going above the  
cost of some of the less expensive new cases.  But a broken handle, a  
broken latch, or a hinge shouldn't cost that much.  Redoing the  
interior is a good do-it-yourself project...a good excuse to go out  
and buy a hot melt glue gun.

Eric Swanson