Woodwind and Brasswind Repairs.New York



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		ROBERTO ROMEO Roberto's is world renown for expert repairs on all woodwinds and brass. Whether your instrument needs a small adjustment or a major overhaul, Roberto's team will put it in optimal playing condition. All repairs are guaranteed and overhauls come with a 6-month warranty. Roberto Romeo was born in Verona, Italy, and moved to New York to play Jazz in 1982. To support himself, Roberto worked as an apprentice under Saul Fromkin, one of the best woodwind repairman in the business. When Fromkin moved to Florida in 1989, Roberto started his own business, quickly becoming a legend among saxophone players for his skilled work. "I believe my honesty in business and the excellence I strive for in my repairs has been the key to my success over the last 15 years. There is no substitute for knowledge, expertise and experience. I take the greatest pride in maintaining instruments. This means remaining focused and putting forth the same amount of effort whether making a small adjustment or performing a major overhaul on an instrument. It does not matter if you are a professional musician or not. I work on all Saxophones with the same dedication. By possessing an in depth knowledge of woodwinds, and by personally getting to know the players and their style, I'm best able to keep their instruments in optimal playing condition. Nothing is more frustrating than playing on a stuffy or leaking horn. You can't play at your best." Once a one-man shop, Roberto's has expanded into a full service repair shop encompassing all woodwind, brass and double reed. Long-time customers and friends include Joe Lovano, Michael Brecker, Gato Barbieri, Ornette Coleman, Branford Marsalis, Chris Potter and David Sanchez just to name a few.

		TONY SALIMBENE Tony Salimbene has been repairing woodwinds for 19 years. Tony learned his craft in 1986 under the apprenticeship of Joe Catapano at Joe Sax Woodwinds. There Tony learned the skills of custom key work, overhauls, dent removal, set ups and the importance of recognizing the needs of the professional musician. In 1988 Tony left Joe Sax to work as head technician at Sam Ash Music in Paramus, N.J. After 4yrs. Tony transferred to help open up Sam Ash Brass and Woodwind Store on 48th St. in Manhattan. During his tenure on 48th St., Tony honed his skills and earned the respect of local musicians servicing the instruments for the musicians of Broadway as well as the City Ballet. In 1997 Tony studied flute repair with Dave Straubinger, learning pad techniques as well as the construction of hand-made flutes. Knowing there's always more to learn, Tony traveled to Boston to refine his skills at Powell Flutes under the supervision of Ken Viola and Karen Roberts. In 2003 Tony joined forces with Roberto Romeo at Roberto’s Winds Shop taking residence here at 46th St.

		KRISTIN BERTRAND Kristin Bertrand joined Roberto’s Winds repair shop on Aug 1st 2004. Kristin specializes in professional oboes, clarinets and double reeds instruments. Kristin Bertrand comes to us from the repair department at RDG, Inc. in Los Angeles. Kristin Bertrand apprenticed under John Peterson and Tom Yaeh at RDG Inc. where she learned professional oboe and clarinet repairs. She is a graduate of the McGill University School of Music in Montreal. In addition to doing the repair work for the double reeds instruments she helps Roberto’s Winds to stock oboes and English horns, reed making tools and accessories. Please feel free to contact us with any special requests. Repairs are by appointment only. Kristin also offers authorized warranty repairs for RDG Inc., including crack repairs and instrument setups.

		GRANT JORDAN At Roberto's, in New York City, repairs of trumpets, trombones, french horns and tubas are performed by Grant Jordan. Grant began his career as a brass instrument repairman in 1990, at Desert Winds Music in Tempe, Arizona while attending graduate school at Arizona State University. At Desert Winds, Grant worked closely with owner and head repair Technician Gerry Evoniuk. Active as a trombonist in the Phoenix area, Grant Jordan left Desert Winds in 1993 to work on his own. For the next eight years, Grant maintained a hectic schedule of playing, teaching, and repairing brass instruments sent to him by area professionals and several local music stores.

The Overhaul of a Saxophone:

Roberto's objective when he sets out to complete an overhaul of a vintage horn is to return the instrument to its original playing condition. Roberto's can customize your horn to your playing stile by modifying the action and by utilizing various types of pads and resonators (plastic, silver, brass, domed or flat.) Ergonomic modifications can be requested as well during your pre-overhaul consultation.

HERE ARE THE STEPS OF AN OVERHAUL:

1. Brief consultation about the objectives you wish to obtain with the overhaul.

2. The saxophone is taken apart and the play between the post and the rod is eliminated by swedging and by restoring the post to their original position.

3. The saxophone and its parts are individually washed and sterilized.

4. While the horn is apart, we straighten the body and eliminate dents where necessary.

5. The horn is then set up with new corks, felts and leather pads.

6. Pads and resonators are put into place. When possible on vintage horns, the original resonator is utilized. We also offer various choices for the resonators: nylon, metal star, brass, silver, flat or domed .Each type according to the sound and the playing style of our customers. After the saxophone is assembled Roberto works personally with you to attain the key height and action of your preference.

7. All of Roberto's overhauls come with a 6 month warranty which includes free check ups and adjustments.