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Flutes
From student instruments to handmade flutes, including Straubinger pad work.
Independent specialist since 1992
Bring the best out of your instrument.
Thoughtful, meticulous repairs for flutes, piccolos, clarinets and saxophones—from a quick adjustment to a complete rebuild.
- 30+
- years’ experience
- UK
- postal service
- 1–2
- year service cycle
Care in every detail
Repairs, regulation and complete overhauls
Specialist care for
FlutesPiccolosClarinetsSaxophones
Since1992
Meet your repairer
Experience you can hear.
Sally Sloan has spent more than three decades returning woodwind instruments to their former glory.
Her work ranges from pre-exam check-overs and careful regulation to straightening bent flutes, resoldering damaged keywork and carrying out complete overhauls. Clients include beginners, professionals, teachers, schools, shops and flute bands.
Most work comes through personal recommendation—a reflection of Sally’s patient advice, consistent workmanship and genuine passion for every instrument on her bench.
“Her work is of the highest standard and the most consistent I have come across.”
— David Farley, former employer
Repair services
The right care for every instrument.
Each repair is assessed individually. The prices below are starting points from the existing site; contact Sally for a current quotation.
02
Piccolos
Precise adjustment, servicing and complete overhauls for delicate mechanisms.
03
Clarinets
Airtight pad seating, key regulation, joint corks and crack repairs.
04
Saxophones
Eliminate leaks, rattles and sticky pads, or bring a tired sax back to life.
Regulation & adjustment
Key alignment, pad shimming and mechanism adjustment to restore good playing order.
Full service
Strip-down, clean, polish and re-oil, plus spring tension and damaged pad or cork replacement.
Complete overhaul
Full restoration with all pads and felts or corks replaced and excess mechanism movement removed.
Simple postal service
Your local Post Office is all the distance you need to travel.
Flute Fix accepts instruments from across the UK. Pack yours securely, send it by an insured service, and Sally will contact you before any work begins.
Contact Sally first- 01
Get in touch
Tell Sally about the instrument and the problem before sending it.
- 02
Pack it carefully
Use a good case, stop movement inside it and wrap the case securely. Include your contact details.
- 03
Send it insured
The existing guidance recommends Royal Mail Special Delivery with suitable insurance.
- 04
Approve the quote
Sally inspects the instrument and contacts you with the recommended work and price.
- 05
Play again
After payment, a convenient return date is arranged. Return delivery is covered by Flute Fix.
From the workbench
Repairs with a story.
Historic rarities, professional instruments and much-loved student models all receive the same careful attention.
A rare B-foot instrument with a complex early mechanism, restored to play beautifully.
Kind words
Trusted by players and teachers.
“A magnificent job! Looks and plays like new. I will definitely recommend you to all my colleagues and students.”
“You’ve transformed an unplayable old flute into a beautifully sounding instrument. Your workmanship is immaculate.”
“The best work I’ve ever had done to one of my flutes. I shall be recommending you to all my pupils.”
Good habits.Longer instrument life.
Everyday care
A little care prevents a lot of repairs.
Lift and assemble carefully +
Never lift an instrument by its keywork. Hold the body securely around the barrel, avoid the lip plate, and use a gentle quarter-turn when joining sections.
Keep joints clean—not greased +
If a metal joint becomes stiff, clean it with a soft cloth. Grease attracts dirt and can make the fit worse. Ask a repairer if cleaning does not help.
Remove moisture after playing +
Use a clean gauze cloth and cleaning rod. Do not leave a damp cloth inside the case, where moisture can swell pads and corrode rods or springs.
Wipe away fingerprints +
Use a suitable silver cleaning cloth, never liquid polish. Avoid reaching between the keys where pads or springs could be damaged.
Start a conversation
What does your instrument need?
Call or email Sally to discuss the instrument, symptoms and best way to get it to Flute Fix.
Sally Sloan
Flute Fix
Fen Lane
Thelnetham
Suffolk
IP22 1JX