Experience with Ed Fleming Instrument Repair in Houston?
James Simpson
in Houston? In the past, I've mailed my 1939 BA alto to Mark Aronson (who
did a great job, btw), but would rather use a local tech to avoid the
possibility of my sax being harmed by careless UPS worker, and to be able to
play test it before bringing it home. Anyone know if he's skilled at fixing
necks and intonation issues? Thanks,
James
galenm...@prodigy.net
any other horn technician I've used. Since he started work on my horns,
he's become a very good friend. Most people don't realize that he's the
most experienced technician in Houston, and he's the only guy with a
Degree in Music (Saxophone) and a bonafide degree in horn repair from
one of the best technical schools. He's also a fine alto player.
Ed has done many different horn jobs for me. But a few stand out. He
did a full repad, overhaul (no relaquer) for my Selmer Mark-6 (SN
64,xxx) tenor and the horn really came alive. He recommended a change
in the setting of the key heights, and the horn really began to sing.
When he got done with it, it played better than it had ever played for
me before.
I purchased a brand new SA-80-II Soprano in a end-of-year deal with the
other big music stores in Houston. I got a good price, and then I took
it directly over to Ed for initial set-up and regulation. Since playing
it over last few years, I've knocked it over a couple times, and Ed
gets it back in shape very skillfully each time. He really has
incredible precision and patience.
Most recently, I got a great deal on a vintage Martin "The Martin"
baritone. Ed turned an old retired horn, into the smoothest playing
bari I've handled. I never knew that vintage keywork could be so
smooth. Ed added Kangaroo pads in a few critical places, and I'm good
to go.
He is very skilled in the basic work, but he's also a leader with the
"trade secrets" which you can't easily find at the other places. He
does Kangaroo pads, various resonators, and more. Ed's been a clinician
several times at the trade shows, etc. I'm quite sure he's up there
with Emilio and Roberto, and the best of them.
He's not he lowest price in town, but for me, his prices have been a
bargain because the work is so good. I've had repairs in the past with
the "other guys" where I had to go back, and I never really got the job
done to my satisfaction.
Ed has the loyalty of most all key players I know of in Houston. He has
loyal customers who ship their horns to him. He gets work from visitors
who pass through town needing repairs. His work is well known enough
that he has people travel through Houston from other places, just to
get by his shop. The shop is like a hangout, or pro shop, where you're
likely to bump into a top Houston player. Recently on a Saturday
morning, David Sanchez dropped in to get his ax adjusted. Wow.
My advice, if you found Ed Fleming, stop looking. You've found the holy
grail of horn technicians. I'm glad to recommend him all around.
Check out:
Good luck.