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Instrument Repairs
In need of service or repair for your instrument? Don't wait til the last moment!
Your musical success is important to us. Thank you for choosing Johnstonbaugh's as your repair shop. We look forward to restoring your instrument to perfect playing condition.
Proper cleaning of instruments has always been a high priority at Johnstonbaugh’s Music Centers
Johnstonbaugh's Music Centers sources for recommended handling, cleaning, and disinfecting guidelines for instruments include:
- The National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT)
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Future for School Music Repair is Here
Building on 38 years of experience in the field, Johnstonbaugh’s in-house repair shop facility is home to a staff of experienced technicians offering instrument repair and maintenance for brass, woodwinds, orchestral strings and percussion instruments for individuals and schools in the Western Pennsylvania area.
As an organization managed and staffed by musicians, we’re acutely aware of the difference that a well-set up and maintained instrument can make – especially to a beginner!
Our shop is staffed by fully-trained repair technicians who not only repair instruments but play them as well, so you can be certain that each and every instrument is play-tested upon completion.
Whether your instrument needs a simple repair, professional cleaning or a complete overhaul, Johnstonbaugh’s repair shop can meet your needs. Visit us and see just how good your instrument can be!
Why trust Johnstonbaugh's Repair Shop with your instrument? Check out the video below:
Our Repair Shop Staff:
Jacob Ishman - Pro Brass:
After graduating from Western Iowa Tech with an associate’s degree in band instrument repair, he worked for Swicegood Music of Lake Charles LA until 2011 when he moved back to Pennsylvania to work for Johnstonbaugh’s Music Centers. Jacob has been active in the National Association of Band Instrument Repair since 2012 and has presented clinics on Repair at regional conferences. Jacob is Western Pennsylvania’s only factory trained S.E. Shires and Edwards technician.
Brian Kelley:
Brian is from Boca Raton, Florida, and received an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Miami. He holds a Masters degree in music from Carnegie Mellon University and is currently working towards his doctorate in musical arts from the West Virginia University. Brian has impressive performance experience, having played with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, and The Brass Roots, and is currently the first Bb Tuba in the River City Brass.
Kyle Harris:
Kyle is currently a woodwind repair apprentice at Johnstonbaugh's Music Center. Kyle received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace and a Master of Arts in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. Kyle also taught elementary and middle school band for eight years.
Allison Fong:
Allison has an extensive music career, having played and taught oboe throughout the Sacramento area and holding bachelor’s degrees in Oboe Performance and Music Education from California State University, Sacramento. While attending college, Allison began working at her local music store, where she was introduced to band instrument repair. She apprenticed in instrument repair under Scott Mandeville until 2018, when she moved to Pittsburgh. Allison has been a NAPBIRT member since 2015 and has attended national conferences and clinics for instrument repair.
Bob Johnstonbaugh:
After graduating from Western Iowa Tech for instrument repair, Bob opened an instrument repair service in 1982 which grew into the full-service school music dealership, Johnstonbaugh's Music Centers. He remains passionate about repairing instruments.
Brian Buchman - String Luthier:
Brian is originally from Maryland. He studied upright bass in grade school and holds a bachelors degree from Stetson University and a masters degree from Florida State University in guitar performance. Brian has traveled all over the world studying guitar including Spain, Italy, and France.
Wind Repair Pricing
Woodwind Reconditioning
| Instrument | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Student Flute | Closed Hole | $300 |
| Open Hole | $395 | |
| Student Piccolo | - | $300 |
| Student Clarinet | Composite | $300 |
| Wooden | $425 | |
| Saxophone | Alto | $575 |
| Tenor | $595 |
All prices are for labor only, and price may vary depending on actual condition. Prices for professional woodwind instruments are available by estimate.
Brasswind Clean and Service
| Instrument | Clean and Service |
|---|---|
| Trumpet | $135.00 + 30.00 for silver |
| Marching Horn | $135.00 + 30.00 for silver |
| Trombone | $135.00 + 30.00 for silver |
| Trombone with F Attachment | $175.00 |
| Bass Trombone Double Rotor | $215.00 |
| Baritone/Euphonium 3 valve | $195.00 + 75.00 for silver |
| Baritone/Euphonium 4 valve (Non compensating) | $225.00 + 75.00 for silver |
| Single Horn | $175.00 |
| Double Horn | $225.00 |
| Tuba 3 valve | $250.00 + 150.00 for silver |
| Tuba 4 valve | $295.00 + 150.00 for silver |
Instruments are disassembled (frozen slides pulled), sanitized, and cleaned both internally and externally of dirt, grease, lime, and corrosion. All tuning slides are cleaned and lubricated; valves are adjusted. New water key corks are installed. Springs will be replaced as needed. Prices may vary depending on actual condition and there will be an additional charge for badly stuck slides. Prices for instruments not listed are available by estimate.
String Repair Pricing
Bows (Paid-in-full required)
| Description of Repair: | Violin | Viola | Cello | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Re-hair (pre-tax price) | $65.00 | $75.00 | $90.00 | $115.00 |
| Re-hair (Tax included) | $69.55 | $80.25 | $96.30 | $123.05 |
| Tip Replacement | $165.00 | $190.00 | $225.00 | $265.00 |
| Grips and Winding | Per Evaluation | Per Evaluation | Per Evaluation | Per Evaluation |
Bridges
| Description of Repair: | Violin | Viola | Cello | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge Replacement | $65.00 | $70.00 | $90.00 | $150.00 |
| Basic Setup | $25.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 | $65.00 |
Re-Gluing Components
| Description of Repair: | Violin | Viola | Cello | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nut | $15.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Saddle | $15.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Partially separated fingerboard | $20.00 | $25.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 |
| Fully separated fingerboard | $40.00 | $45.00 | $75.00 | $115.00 |
| Neck | $125.00 | $150.00 | $190.00 | $250.00 |
| Openings & Cracks | Per Evaluation | Per Evaluation | Per Evaluation | Per Evaluation |
Fitting Components
| Description of Repair: | Violin | Viola | Cello | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New End Buttons/End Pins | $40.00 | $40.00 | $75.00 | $115.00 |
| Re-fit Tuning Pegs (each) | $15.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 | N/A |
| New Tuning Pegs (each) | $25.00 | $25.00 | $35.00 | N/A |
| Re-set Soundpost | $20.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 |
| Fit New Soundpost | $75.00 | $85.00 | $115.00 | $150.00 |
| New Nut | $50.00 | $60.00 | $75.00 | $115.00 |
| New Saddle | $40.00 | $45.00 | $65.00 | $100.00 |
| Install Chinrest | $15.00 | $15.00 | N/A | N/A |
| Install New Tailpiece | $20.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 | $45.00 |
| Install New Strings | $15.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 |
| Install Fine Tuners (Each) | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | N/A |
The recommended practice for customers requesting more than 2 fine tuners on a step up or higher instrument is to replace the existing tailpiece with a Wittner Ultra-Lite Tailpiece.
All prices are for labor only and do not include parts (such as strings, new bridges or new chinrests, etc.).
Fretted Instrument Maintenance Pricing
Fretted instrument maintenance is divided into three levels.
Level I: Strat/Tele style, Les Paul style, acoustic steel 6-string guitars, bass guitars and ukuleles.
Level II: Nylon stringed/Classical guitars, guitarrons, banjos and mandolins.
Level III: Instruments with locking tremolo systems (Floyd Rose style), double necked instruments and 12-string guitars.
| Description of Repair: | Level I | Level II | Level III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restring Only | $30.00 | $35.00 | $45.00 |
| Restring, Clean and Polish | $50.00 | $55.00 | $65.00 |
| Set Up | $70.00 | Price Determined on Inspection | Price Determined on Inspection |
Restring, clean and polish: This service includes cleaning of fretboard, oiling of fretboard, clean and polish body, stretch strings and tune.
Set up: This service includes cleaning of fretboard, oiling of fretboard, polish body, stretch strings and tune, tightening of loose tuners and hardware, truss rod adjustment, saddle height adjustment, checking and setting intonation.
Very dirty guitars are subject to an additional cleaning fee to be assessed on inspection. No work will be completed until estimates are approved by the customer.
All prices are for labor only and do not include parts.