Flute Asylum is not taking much work currently, I'm helping
to get the new Flute Center (formerly Flute Center of New
York) set up in Chicago. It's just up the street from Flute
Asylum at 8 S. Michigan Avenue and they are doing good work.
Plus Chicago finally has a flute specialty shop for both
repair and retail flute sales.
My original intention was to find someone to take over Flute
Asylum, but that proved difficult (and expensive). I've been
overwhelmed by work for a few years though, and needed a
solution. Phil Unger and I talked a couple of years ago and
I think he had been thinking of opening a new location
anyway, so we kept in contact while he was working out the
details.
I didn't "sell" Flute Asylum to FCNY, other than some pads
and tools which are hard to get lately (pandemic related).
I'm going to keep my current space but work on some tools
and other things that I've had in mind for a while. I'm also
working part time at Flute Center (Chicago) to help the
repair techs get to know the Chicago market and do quality
work. They all have a good amount of experience. I'll be
there for a number of months at least.
Flute Center has higher prices than I was charging. If you
think about it, they are ncessary to be able to retain
experienced techs and do quality work. Many shops around the
country are moving to the same price model. No one makes a
lot of money on flute repair, if they do good work, it's a
factor of the fact that properly doing the job involves a
lot of time.
I'm hoping to stay in contact with everyone, my emails will
still be active, so if you have any questions let me know.
I'd like to encourage younger people to get into the
flute repair field, there is a lot of need for good people
with all the fine flutes out there. If you are interested,
feel free to ask me about ways to get into the field.
thanks,
Tom Peterson
Chicago Area Flute Repair by Tom Peterson, former
finisher/padder at Brannen Brothers
Straubinger and Muramatsu certified
Parts and pads in stock for Brannen Brothers, Powell, Muramatsu,
Miyazawa, and other fine flutes
Tom is listed on the Brannen Brothers site as a "Brannen Brothers Endorsed Master Repair Technician"
Flute Asylum
410 S. Michigan Ave
Suite 520
Chicago, IL 60605