Flute Headjoint Restoration- Band Instrument Repair- Wes Lee Music

In this episode, Wes restores a flute Headjoint for a client. By far one of the worst headjoint damages I have ever seen. Was fun to think outside the box for the best way to restore. Loved using the Mini Z once again.

[@jessebrook1688]

Man, that flute headjoint is at the point where, if it were a student flute, I'd just dig a headjoint from the bonepile and fit it to the flute. But I don't work in a shop that does restoration-level work. That was a gnarly repair.

[@karencox3235]

As a former saxophone player (I sold my horn several years ago) I laud what you can accomplish! I will always have a soft spot in my heart for band instruments, especially the woodwinds like tenor sax and flute (which I played). My high school and college band years were some of the best of my life, and I'm glad to see someone like you out there fixing instruments with such skill so players can just play their music to the best of their ability. New subscriber here!

[@joemillson6284]

Your videos make me want to take on repair! I work as a band director at the moment. Always love working on the instruments at the school, as we don't have a repair shop on our island. Thanks for the tips and inspiration!

[@larrystockwell8994]

Wes, I don’t have a musical bone in my body. Couldn’t make music if my life depended on it. I am now retired from driving truck so you know I have a different look at things. What I do enjoy is watching a craftsman doing his work. It is impressive what you do with a bent up piece of metal. I stumbled on to your site and keep coming back to watch the magic happen. Thanks for your time and energy. Keep up the good work sir.

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Your attention to details and carefully working the metal is incredible. I don't think most people realize just how delicate and touchy that metal can be.

[@EeekItsSnek]

I've officially watched just about every one of your videos over the last 2 weeks. I need more. I hate to see broken instruments, but I love watching them get fixed. Not often I watch non-prospecting/science videos this religiously. You've got a special talent, a wonderful attitude about your profession, and a knack for communicating. Thanks for being you, Wes 🙃

[@BrightonsPriest]

I’d love to see this man do body work on a classic car. His metal knowledge is amazing

[@77Format]

In the late 80's I attended a music summer camp. As a quirky little flautist boy I think I wasn't cool enough in the eyes of older boys. So someone decided to smack my flute against the back of a chair and left the bent flute to be found by me. I was broken. Whole summer camp was ruined because I didn't have my instrument. The damage looked exactly like on the video and it got fixed. I wonder if there's another little kid whos music career you just managed to save by repairing that instrument. ❤ from Finland!

[@Eupher6]

I'm always struck by the amount of hand strength that's needed to deal with these repairs. Much salute, Wes!

[@josephbrewer7026]

I played trumpet in high school and teaching myself flute right now. Watching how you work these brass/silver instruments back from some nasty damage is both fascinating and satisfying. Take care of your hands and wrists. So much force needed to re-shape metal. Thanks for posting these wonderful videos.

[@therealbadbob2201]

My dad was trained as a blacksmith in high school. When he was drafted and stationed in England he read every auto body book the library had. He is a remarkable body man, several car clubs would borrow him for rust work repair. He uses the same techniques. He always told me lighter hammering is better, you dont stretch the metal as much. Hence the tiny mallet. I really enjoy watching you work.

[@jjedijj]

real old school quality workmanship! great job, really amazes me the creased damage on instruments that you can repair.

[@elliottsmith3632]

I don't play any instruments and have no music background, but I would love to do this. I'm surprised how much force you have to exert yet have to have such a light touch to fix those dings and bends and all. Keep up the good work.

[@roytucker9114]

I would have liked to seen what it looked like all put together but good work anyway.

[@jaypence332]

Maybe the person just sent in the mouth peice part for shipping cost.

[@TheOnespeedbiker]

First I too am impressed with all the hand work; so much is done by feel. As an aside the constant reworking is because of rebound and plastic (de)formation. When you have a substance like brass, when you hit it with a hammer, or try and bend it back in place, it will not stay in place but rebound slightly; if these instruments were a solid piece of metal you could simply over bend it so it would rebound to the correct position. Further, brass also tends to want to hold it's new deformed shape, so you have to constantly rework the metal to get it back to where you want it. Finally, there is the issue that when you hammer brass it will in a sense stretch (eg the walls will become thinner, so if the outside diameter remains the same, the piece will become longer). What this man does is truly an art form.

[@DeAnnaG_KissingFrogsMedia]

Very nice work! I’m envious of the Z roller. I used to make jewelry, I still have metal forming tool addictions. 🤣 You did worked a minor miracle.🎉

[@bluesinamajor]

You're like the Bob Ross of musical instrument repairs. I luv ya.

[@tomsavage6911]

Just amazing craftsmanship. You are so diligent at what you do. I only wish I was closer to your shop. I love your videos. Thanks for posting.

[@chrismcarthur542]

That’s just terrific, old-school craftsmanship. Strong work, amigo.

[@MartynHutchby]

Quite astonished at the quality of your work! Amazing.

[@marchaller548]

Thank you, Wes, for your art and demonstration: you're the best !!!

[@lawrencebrown1133]

I recognize that your specialized tools play an important part, but I am amazed at your skills. Thanks for these great videos!

[@think2023]

A pleasure to watch thoughtful unhurried skilled work.

[@humbleguy4726]

Totally blown away. Knowing when to give pressure, feeling the piece, knowing where to tap with hammer, good eye, knowing the sounds of tapping, i never knew how much skill is needed in repairing but boy i do now. A craftsman of the highest order.

[@iainking4256]

Mate another video demonstrating your incredible ability to bring a damaged instrument back to perfection. Keep these coming I thoroughly enjoy watching you skills. Cheers from kangaroo land.

[@aguilayserpiente]

Virtuoso. It is pleasant to see the principles of sheet metal repair in various applications.

[@andrewfyakim525]

New subscriber here; just found your channel!... First, whatever you are doing to make your voice/volume so loud, PLEASE don't change a thing; you are one of the only people I can hear on KZbin!.... I'm a life-long musician (since 1958); I love and respect all musical instruments, as you seem to do.(I liked the Who's music, it made me sick every time I saw them smash their instruments on stage). I play, and own dozens of instruments (a couple could use your expertise!). I have 2 saxes, flutes, pianos, 12 guitars, harps, and most keyboards, But, I can't fix ANY of them... It's great knowing there is someone like you, out there doing what you are doing. If I were young once again, I would pay you, to become an apprentice. I hope you are able to pass your talent and passion on to some of the younger generation....

[@markfreedman2470]

Your job, in next several thousand years will never be replaced with AI and robots. You are the master.

[@bgallasch]

Sad you're far too far away, but fun and pleasure to watch working you brillant on several instruments. Great job on the flute. Since I'm flutist myself the first image nearly gave me a heart stroke....

[@louietesta3752]

Very impressive work, you are a master craftsmen, I really enjoyed watching your techniques.

[@edsherrod5216]

Wow - you are a true master craftsman! Great job!

[@cruzgutierrez2917]

Great job man🎊🎉 I admire people like you with dedication to their job. God bless you for real

[@ClearComplexity]

I'm a tool maker, machinist, and clockwork specialist. With that I do a lot of hand work with copper, brass, silver, etc. The line of "sometimes when working with old stuff you can't get a new part" rings extremely true with the watches, clocks, music boxes, vintage mechanical cameras, etc. I try to save everything possible and from there I make new what is needed using most of the same techniques that were used decades, or even centuries, ago to restore the item to great working condition. A like to think the few marks that may remain add character to an antique item that has seen multiple lifetimes of use.

[@dirtywashedupsparkle]

I once tripped on a speaker tripod and trod on my flute, so the sight of that headjoint brings back similar feelings of horror! So good to see how this was repaired and appreciate the process that much more.

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

That was a treat. Thanks for taking time to make the video.

[@macaroniwithoutcheese175]

As a student, I recently had to do a repair similar to this, but not nearly as bad. Being at a school, I just stuck a drumstick in the vice and used that as my mandril. Ended up working out really well. Thanks for the info Wes.

[@alexanderhelt738]

That was delightful to watch! Thank you!

[@fredh54]

You answered a question that I had been thinking about for a while- work hardening. I'm a non-musician and untrained techie who thoroughly enjoys your videos.

[@sebastiaojuliano5013]

Hello, I was impressed with your work and I think as you said at the end of the video. I'm an apprentice Luthier on wind instruments. it is a brilliant profession. What fascinates me most is thinking outside the box. I'm an electronics technician, but I love repairing dentist handpieces and I'm increasingly passionate about repairing wind musical instruments. I'm a flute student, I love the sound of this instrument. Congratulations, you are very good!!!!

[@JimNichols]

I have zero interest in musical instruments repair, but that said you have created a metal working video that is interesting and informative about a subject you obviously are quite passionate about. Thanks fornthe ride along and the time and effort in all these quality videos you UL.

[@dkd1228]

Thanks for the great demonstration of planishing technique.

[@MrMattDat]

Beautiful work Wes! Really incredible!!

[@MrMattDat]

@@mrfarts5176 What the heck is that about??

[@flionndawall]

I know this video is almost a year old, so you probably won't see this... But as a former flautist, I found this VERY interesting! I had done similar damage to my flute. Didn't have the damage to the tenon, but, about where that dent further up was on this one, mine was dented all the way to the other side... I had set it on my stand and turned to get my water, but I guess I bumped it or the stand and it fell of onto the leg of the stand (one of those fold up/travel style ones). I couldn't believe the shop got it out, though there was WAY worse of a scar than this one! Played just fine, though, so I was happy (and more importantly, my parents didn't have to kill me for making them buy me another one)! Always wondered how they did it! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@brushbros]

I played French Horn (school's) and (my own) trumpet for six years in pubic schools in 50's and 60's. Whenever a student dropped their instrument, Mr. Morneau would calmly suggest "Leave it there so you don't drop it again." Our instruments were fresh every school year, new strings, drum heads, flute and clarinet and brass pads etc. You remind me of those of those times. I would work for you for free if I could.

[@logotrikes]

Really good fettling dude, one happy customer guaranteed...

[@tymeryder7264]

Interesting tools and your skill at your craft. The most important tool seems to be patience, which you have a case full. Well done.

[@brucewilliams6292]

Your work is excellent. Thank you for sharing your trade.

[@gwiyomikim5988]

That was great! Very nice work.

[@donlum9128]

40% having the correct tools the rest is having the knowledge, patience, & expertise. Awesome

[@donproton9770]

You've done an excellent job!

[@tallerdepercusionbrasilena7047]

you are very good at your job... congratulations... you work until the piece is like new, excellent.

[@SilverSpur1]

you're a genius! thanks for the video, at least I know how flute and brass instrument service looks like. I am a flutist, beginner.

[@livelongandprosper70]

Love to see people who can repair stuff this well 👌

[@petercklauhk]

incredible As a flautist I always respect the flute repair specialist

[@odiesclips7621]

Hands of a chiropractor, touch of a potter! You're the man.

[@Pazair-nq6gl]

😂 si, es bueno, Wes 👍

[@lyecats]

Camera work is fantastic!

[@koblih69]

The result is pretty nice, thanks for sharing!

[@007camera]

Perfect job, thanx for sharing! 👏🏻👍🏻

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Thanks for showing us your process of straightening out that flute head. I guess I was lucky to be able to straighten a couple of (ex private school, NSW) Armstrong flutes that had been sat on using some spare sound post material for a double bass. It gave us a couple of nice enough flutes to enjoy when I had finished cleaning, lubricating & adjusting them (I still need to change the pads though for them to be better). I'll stick to working on violin family of instruments for anyone else though. 🙂

[@carlosleonidaswibratt55]

Un genio!! quedo perfecta!! saludos desde Argentina!!

[@bkingfstrd]

You sir are a magician!

[@bobdownes162]

Back in 1970, i was running through on my alto flute a composition before leaving to go to a studio to record the piece for an album of mine. After playing, I took the head off and shook out the spittle that was in it, and hit the edge of a door in doing so. Made quite a big dent as I''m sure, you can imagine. I picked up a broom, and with the handle, pushed the flute head onto it. It worked perfectly, The dent was no longer visible.

[@phazonclash]

I know nothing about instruments, I'm not a musician, and yet I'm here watching these videos and enjoying them 😆

[@timfowler4642]

Great skill & talent.

[@dirkboriskestel8499]

Great work!

[@jamesburnett7085]

Very impressive. I thought it looked impossible, but for you, no biggy.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks for following along. That instrument is being played now. Does my heart good

[@martyg374]

Nice job! I have repair training, machine shop experience, and have watched my own repairman at work. I am sure tube diameter is critical to intonation! I have done very little dent work as a high school band director.

[@nicksavage4763]

Your Skill and Know How is impressive. That comes from EXPERIENCE. Hours Spent hands on. There is no substitute and no machine By itself could do it. When Instruments suffer damage, You don’t have to junk them. Unless deliberately damaged, most Damage can be repaired by someone With the skills and right tools. Thanks for sharing a little of what Goes on behind the scenes.🎷

[@geoffreysun8284]

Great artist !!

[@ivorwm2291]

Amazing job

[@larsfrandsen2501]

Great channel!

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Great skills well done

[@Peter4253]

Fabulous repair, great to watch you working and wow do you have some tooling in that workshop👍💪

[@michaelstaadt8012]

This reminded me of an old Generation brass tin whistle in"D" I sat on back in 1984. I straightened it by forcing a 7.62 Nato cartridge through the bore of the whistle. Never got out all the creases that way but it was perfectly straight and playable afterwards, in fact still is.

[@alistairryman3884]

I don't play any thing . But the way you repair things is aursome ,well impressed, keep up the good work.😁

[@brickshotted]

Sometimes you have to love the youtube algorithms. This is the kind of work and skill needed, that if someone asks how much force is you're using, the answer is always just enough😁😁

[@gabrielecavallari8930]

Wow che lavoro.. Complimenti sei un vero artista 👍🙏

[@henryjames3580]

Great video

[@jorgetoros6741]

Espectacular trabajo

[@DMDAUTOLLC]

This is so satisfying to watch I used to play baritone in middle school I always kept mine perfect tho

[@saxmusicmail]

Customer: How did you fix this??? Wes: Magic!

[@Pazair-nq6gl]

De hecho, él es "magic Wes" 😂. Salud 🤙

[@andyteague2521]

just started watching amazing content

[@stephenhujsa5050]

Interesting work

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

I still say auto body guys have nothing on you. Nothing to hide behind but buffing compound amazing. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@rickr530]

That repair probably cost as much as a new headjoint but I love the craftsmanship of this repair.

[@powerbatterychannel4315]

Amazing job!

[@krikorarnelian2909]

amazing job

[@frenchcreekvalley]

Boy, that brass sure is malleable! I'm a bit of a blacksmith but I have worked with some types of brass, copper and sterling and all of them work harden considerably faster compared to what I see here. All I can say about your knowledge and your skill level is "Wow!"

[@theresachacon1122]

I have a friend and he likes to sometimes do sword movements with his flute. He was doing these one time during marching band practice and his head joint ended up slipping out of the body and falling onto the asphalt. He luckily had a second flute that he could use for the rest of the season.

[@lotsabirds]

Looks Great!

[@user-s9207]

What a wonderful dwarf!

[@mack3d.net_]

Really cool! thanks

[@danhoenigman2757]

Great job. But late in my 44 year career I discovered that spinning it out on the lathe (like a trumpet bell is made) is much faster and gets a great result.

[@marcosmecanico1754]

Muito bom trabalho amigo

[@joujos1]

Thanks man. This can be applied for other cases.

[@abrahampaige6331]

Very nice work, as always. Do you have any videos on brass/silver patches for an instrument. Gauge thickness, forming techniques, etc.?

[@erniearruda8861]

Good work there Wes. Now you are missing the tunes to go with that de-dent. Like Laying pipe by David Wilcox😂👍🏻

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

You have a fun and obviously rewarding profession. I'm going with the headjoint getting caught in a car door.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Never a dull moment!

[@marcusdawe4475]

This is amazing - I'm a flute player from the uk - just got into repair last year. Any advice for someone starting out?

[@Atochabsh]

Been a repair tech for over 20 years, but have not repaired in about 6 years. I am enjoying seeing your solutions and work. I miss the work, but could not make a living in CA and being a sub contractor. LOL "sometimes you have to fix this old stuff".....can you say Olds Valve Trombones?

[@BrianEller-begrafx]

I just happened across your videos as one of KZbin's suggestions. It's amazing to watch you work. I think the first one I saw was one where you were repairing a badly beaten French Horn. I watched, mainly out of curiosity, "How on earth is he going to fix THAT?" I expected to see a lot of heating and shaping. I've watched a few of your videos now, and I don't think I've yet seen you use heat. I'm curious where you learned your craft.

[@georgefrench1907]

Nice result.