FAQs

Our specialty lies in brass and woodwind instruments. This includes flutes, piccolos, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, saxophones, recorders, trumpets, trombones, and French horns.

We do not repair guitars or any fretted or non-fretted string instruments. Our repair services focus solely on band instruments. If you are renting one of our orchestral string instruments, repairs are handled through our parent company, Music & Arts. If your rental string instrument is damaged or needs new strings, bring it in—we can either offer a replacement or ship it back to the main shop for repair.

At The Tuneful Tech, we’re more than just a music store — we’re a team of working musicians and trained repair technicians dedicated to keeping your instrument in its best shape, long-term. While we may not be the oldest shop in town, we spend more time with each instrument, taking a detailed, thoughtful approach to every repair. Our goal is to do more than just fix what’s broken — we look for underlying issues, subtle wear, and performance concerns that might go unnoticed in a quick tune-up. This means your repair lasts longer, feels better, and supports your playing at every level. With specialized certifications (including Straubinger and Muramatsu) and a background in both repair and performance, we bring a careful, informed touch to everything from basic maintenance to complex restorations. Paired with our personalized rentals, handcrafted reeds, and musician-led staff, you’ll feel the difference from the moment you walk in.

We offer a full range of woodwind and brass repair services tailored to your instrument’s needs — from quick adjustments to full mechanical overhauls. Our services include: 🎷 Woodwind Repairs 1. Adjustment & Regulations (A&R) 2. Clean, Oil & Adjusts (COA) 3. Economy Overhauls (EOH) 4. Mechanical Overhauls (MOH) 5. Straubinger Overhauls (SOH) (for flutes only) 🎺 Brass Repairs 1. Play Conditions (PC) 2. Brass Cleanings Each repair is handled with close attention to detail. We take time to identify underlying issues and ensure long-lasting results. Services may include pad replacement, spring adjustments, dent removal, valve alignment, slide maintenance, key regulation, cork replacement, and more — all tailored to restore your instrument’s playability and performance. If you’re not sure which service your instrument needs, we can help you with a free estimate.

Repair times vary based on the service needed. Minor adjustments and basic brass cleanings are usually completed within 2 to 3 days. Standard repairs, such as woodwind cleanings or brass cleanings involving stuck slides, typically take 1 to 2 weeks. Complete overhauls may take 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the instrument and parts availability.

Yes, we repair instruments of all levels, from student models to professional-grade. We'll provide honest advice if repair costs exceed the instrument's value.

We offer complimentary estimates for all our repair services.

Yes, our rental program is offered through our affiliate, Music & Arts. All rental contracts include a rent-to-own option, 0% APR, and the flexibility to end the agreement early—either by returning the instrument or paying it off in full. Rentals also include an optional LDW (Loss/Damage Waiver) program to help cover repair costs for the instrument.

Absolutely! You're welcome to try any instrument in our store before making a purchase. If you're looking to upgrade your flute, clarinet, or oboe, we can also arrange for new and used step-up or professional models to be brought in from our partner stores: Carolyn Nussbaum Music Co, Lisa's Clarinet Shop, and Oboe Chicago. Learn more on our Rentals and Trials page.

We do purchase quality used instruments. You're welcome to browse our current selection of pre-owned instruments.