Instrument Repair with Marshall Music

Each year, the more than 40 repair technicians at Marshall Music's seven Michigan locations service about 50,000 instruments! And as the state's largest musical instrument retailer, they work with the widest variety of instrument makes and models. 

We asked the repair techs at Marshall's Lansing store a few questions, and then compiled their answers below. 

Q: What advice would you give young musicians and their parents to help them take better care of their instruments?

• Swab brass and woodwind instruments after each use. 
• Use Q-tips to remove extra cork grease.
• If your instrument has valves or a slide, apply the appropriate oil each day.
• Have your instrument inspected twice each year, and professionally cleaned once per year. 
• Water is very bad for woodwinds, so protect them from rain and snow.
• As much as possible, keep your instrument in a consistent temperature and humidity. Wooden instruments can expand and contract when exposed to differing environmental conditions, and that can lead to cracks and open seams. 

Q: Why is Marshall Music a better choice for instrument repair? 

• We take extra care to fully assess the playability of every instrument. We then repair, play test, and clean each one.
• Our skilled repair techs are very knowledgeable with all instruments. 
• If customers have special requests, we make every effort to accommodate them.  
• We understand that when a student's instrument is in the shop, she's losing valuable rehearsal time, so we work to provide the fastest turnaround we can; typically one week. 

Q: What do you like about your work? 

• I like working with my hands, and seeing an instrument go from useless to nearly new. 
• Every instrument has its own story. 
• I enjoy being a part of music every day. 
• I like to bring back an instrument that was once ready for the trash, and get it back into a child's hands. 

By the way, most of Marshall's repair techs are musicians themselves, so they understand how important a properly functioning instrument is to a player's success and enjoyment. Many have worked as music teachers, touring or recording musicians, writers or arrangers, and some just play at home for their own satisfaction. All of their varied experience adds up to a team that can serve Adrian music students well.

At Marshall Music, you can also rent or buy instruments, take private lessons, and purchase sheet music, accessories, recording gear and more. Visit www.marshallmusicweb.com.

​Marshall Music has been an Adrian Music Booster supporter since 2016. Watch their fun video here.