Antique Musical Instruments/Expert Profile

There are very few questions regarding antique woodwind instruments that I'm unable to answer. I've either worked on, restored, or heard of most antique flute brands and am familiar with determining materials and dates of manufacture. For a small fee of $8 via Paypal, I am able to provide an estimate for what your instrument is worth and a free estimate of what it would cost to fix!

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I'm familiar with antique or old clarinets, oboes, flutes, piccolos, fifes and most other antique woodwinds. Saxophones are my weak spot and I am not, however, familiar with bassoons! PHOTOS ARE IMPORTANT IF YOU'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION AND/OR AN ESTIMATE OF AN INSTRUMENT'S VALUE. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEND ME PHOTOS (OR JUST EMAIL ME DIRECTLY), PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO info@foreverwoodwinds.com - Thanks! **Appraisals are available but photos would be helpful to provide a more accurate price range. Due to the amount of appraisals requested and time involved, etc. I am charging an $8 appraisal fee via Paypal.**

*****PLEASE ONLY SEND FLUTE, CLARINET, PICCOLO, FIFE, OBOE & SAXOPHONE QUESTIONS!*****

Experience in the area

I have been fixing and reselling flutes (both young and old!) for the last 5 years and occasionally some other woodwinds on occasion. I've been well acquainted with antique oboes, clarinets, and most flutes (including piccolos and fifes) and should be able to help with most questions.

Education/Credentials

A few years ago, I attended a technical college for a band instrument repair course. After I left the college, I began educating myself on antique flutes, clarinets and oboes and continue to try helping people with their instruments. I'm able to provide an estimate of the value of the instrument(s) as well as an estimate for restoration of the instrument(s). If you have a very important question and/or I haven't written back to your question within a few days, please feel free to give me a call at any time on my cell phone: 570-236-7054. Thanks!

*****PLEASE ONLY SEND FLUTE, CLARINET, PICCOLO, FIFE, OBOE & SAXOPHONE QUESTIONS!*****

What do you like about this subject?

Personally I enjoy most musical instruments and the craftsmanship involved during the manufacturing process.

*****PLEASE ONLY SEND FLUTE, CLARINET, PICCOLO, FIFE, OBOE & SAXOPHONE QUESTIONS!*****

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Unfortunately I must admit that I have limited brass knowledge. I'm unsure whether or not to classify it as something I'd 'hope to achieve/learn' but brass knowledge wouldn't hurt for future reference! =)

*****PLEASE ONLY SEND FLUTE, CLARINET, PICCOLO, FIFE, OBOE & SAXOPHONE QUESTIONS!*****

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Sometimes it seems as though fifes started the flute era. Depending on how you look at it, the Revolutionary War, etc. included a fife and drum band. From then on, looking at comparison charts (regarding the flute family) shows how keys were adapted and transformed into the Boehm system that's widely used today!

**PLEASE ONLY SEND FLUTE, CLARINET, PICCOLO, FIFE, OBOE & SAXOPHONE QUESTIONS!**

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

I feel that many people will eventually resort to antique musical instruments due to their precise attention to detail during the manufacturing process as well as the mere fact that MANY companies are currently resorting to Chinese companies to make parts cheaper for lower costs in the USA. Although I'm a youngin', I already agree that "things aren't what they used to be"!