About Soleil Woodwinds

The Business:
Home-based woodwind instrument repair service in Centreville, Fairfax County, Virginia.  I am the proprietor and sole employee, with more than 50 years experience as a performer and 40 years experience as a technician and single-reed mouthpiece refacer.

Expert repairs of all woodwinds, from the simplest repairs to complete overhauls and restoration of older instruments. As a long-time performer on all woodwinds (except bassoon), am intimately familiar with the nuances of each type of instrument and the subtle needs of both amateur and professional players.  Can modify keywork to suit any player’s ergonomic requirements, and add features such as alternate Ab/Eb keys for clarinets, and bass clarinet range extensions from one additional note (low-D) to a complete low-C extension.

Well-regarded as a refacer of mouthpieces for all sizes of clarinets and saxophones – able to make any mouthpiece play better. Work with mouthpieces of every material, including hard rubber, plastics, metals, glass (crystal), and wood.

Typical labor rate for all services is $45/hr., with supplies and materials (e.g. cork, pads) additional. Free estimates of course.

Simple repairs (e.g. loose pads or springs) can often be repaired on the spot; but generally the instrument should be dropped off and the repair work will be accomplished within one or two days unless it is a complex modification or complete overhaul/restoration, in which case it should be completed in a week or less.

Finally, with many years of collecting and renovating older and less-known brands of woodwind instruments, I’ve amassed a substantial number of excellent restored instruments, and refaced mouthpieces, which are available for sale. Customers can try out any of these instruments for up to two weeks with no obligation.