Brazen Bandworks

07/19/2020

Message from owner Jim Langenberg:

Brazen Bandworks is winding down our operations and will be changing to an online presence only for the foreseeable future for instrument sales. We would like to thank everyone for your part in building a successful repair and resale shop for musical instruments whether you were a supporter, subcontractor, or customer. I could not have done this without you and am very grateful.

This change is not due to any failure on anyone’s part. As a matter of fact, this last month has been the best month I’ve ever had since I started the shop. It’s been such a wonderful experience to bring this company into existence and nurture it and watch it grow over the last few years. I’ve learned so much that I know will be applicable to my next step.

Many of you may not know this, but repair was something I got into as a result of the recession of 2008 and the timing of my twin daughters arriving. Talk about the perfect (ie bad) storm for a professional tuba player/private instructor trying to make a living. I decided to pursue repair after being encouraged by my wife, Kelly, to do many renovations on our bungalow in Chicago (with little experience). It served the purpose. We got more financial stability and I was able to continue freelancing as a tubist.

So here we are again in what appears to be another economic downturn that has it’s crosshairs directly at the performing industry and music education. We are all looking at possibly little to no performing for years which affects concerts, in person instruction (lesson), ensembles in schools (repairs for the repair shop), and probably other things I’m not even thinking about. I’m doing my best to make the best decision for my family. A recent visit with some extended family down in florida brought about a job interview that turned into a job offer. It’s in new construction real estate. I’ve learned a lot about sales through the repair shop and houses through restoring my painted lady in Elgin. I’m going to be putting those pieces of knowledge together and doing what I can to establish some more financial stability for myself and my family.

I have sold off much of the shop inventory, some of it ended up in a dumpster, but that’s how it goes. Amazing what you keep around thinking it has value to, all the sudden, have to decide if it’s really worth sticking in a moving truck to deal with “later.” However, I’m keeping the tools and expect I’ll do some repairs on the side in the future or at least maintain our personal horns. It’s really hard to let someone touch your personal horns… Speaking of, I do have some wonderful independent technician colleagues I can refer you to if you need a quality repair. Please feel free to reach out.

This wasn’t an easy decision and I still have times where I feel very uncomfortable about what’s happening because it’s always easier to go with what you know. However, I do seem to often get reminded that the easy road usually isn’t the best road. Time will tell.

Thanks again to everyone for the support over the years.
Jim Langenberg

07/09/2020

Jim Langenberg would like to thank you for your support and business in making Brazen Bandworks a success.

Brazen Bandworks is closed for repairs until further notice. Please reach out for a referral as Jim has some wonderful colleagues he can refer you to for quality repairs in an independent shop environment. It's very important to support local business.

Brazen Bandworks is still open for purchasing quality used instruments and new John Packer instruments. Feel free to reach out!

05/29/2020

Look what just showed up at Brazen Bandworks: a new John Packer Sterling 379 C tuba. Plays as good as it looks! This one is spoken for but we can get more. Let us know and we'll get you a great deal!

05/28/2020

Well that was something different. Machining, cutting, soldering, buffing, all to widen the span on a LA era Olds trombone.

05/21/2020

This is a special sousaphone - a Conn 38K built in 1936. This horn has been getting fixed up in Jim Langenberg's spare time for 3 years. It came in covered in gold and blue paint with nearly every brace broken, cracks, and massive dents everwhere. This horn probably should have been thrown in a dumpster. Jim replaced a few crooks, did many hours of dent work, nearly resoldered the entire horn, and had the valves rebuilt. While this horn still isn't cosmetically flawless, it looks pretty darn good and plays amazingly well!

05/11/2020

Totally not stressful at all to repair...

05/05/2020

Nothing like polishing some silver for some beautiful results! Here's a Martin trombone looking good!

03/26/2020

An accident followed by a well meaning attempt to make the damage less bad before coming in. Cleaned, polished, couple hours of dent work, and buffed up. Rollers were used, a hand operated double burnishing setup, and a dent machine were used followed by some time on a factory sized buffing machine.

While it's not always super convenient, getting to a repair shop soon will help to get a better result. When an instrument gets damaged the metal continues to stretch over time to relieve the stress on the metal. It makes it hard to work and less likely to be able to be completely restored without refinishing.

03/25/2020

Torpedo/Glenn Cronkhite doing some good work for free. Consider a donation!

Covid 19 is an opportunity to come together and save lives.Emergency workers and hospital staff… Steve Kriesel needs your support for Mass Mask Making Machine

03/22/2020

Update from Brazen Bandworks about the shop.

The governor has recommended all non-essential businesses close in Illinois. However, businesses that can be operated from home may continue to do so. Brazen Bandworks is the basement level of Jim Langenberg's home, so, given some precautions, we are still available for repairs and cleanings on all brasswind and woodwind instruments.

Like many in this industry, we are taking precautions to ensure everyone's health and safety.

1. All pickups and drop offs will be done on the front porch. We ask that all customers do their best to maintain the recommended 6 feet of distance as we will do the same.

2. All horns will be subjected to a minimum of 3 days quarantine before any work is done. Estimates will still be given but it is up to discussion whether that will be when the instrument is dropped off or after quarantine.

3. All brass instruments in for repair will require a cleaning service in addition to any repair work. With all the soaps, degreasers, and ultrasonics used in the cleaning process, we believe the instruments will be safe after the cleaning process.

4. Invoices will be sent online, and can be paid online as well.

5. Many horns may not be playtested (they traditionally have been). You will be notified if yours has been and we recommend a 3 day quarantine on your end before playing out of an abundance of caution.

Please feel free to contact us about any questions or concerns.

Stay safe everyone!
Jim Langenberg
Owner/Repair Tech
Brazen Bandworks

03/20/2020

Good news, but the catch is it needs to be clean! Know what else kills? Soap and water and ultrasonic cleaning! Know who does both? Brazen Bandworks! We are still taking appointments.

It could destroy norovirus, MRSA, virulent strains of E. coli, and coronaviruses—including the novel strain currently causing the COVID-19 pandemic.

03/17/2020

Out of school for a few weeks? Gig postponed? Been awhile since your horn was cleaned?

Brazen Bandworks is open, but please make an appointment. We're sure a lot of you are thinking about cleaning out your instrument with what's in the news these days.

Brass and silver does have anti-microbial properties to it, however, if it has a nice coating of dirt on it, it will certainly be less effective. That and, eew.

Our ultrasonic cleaning process and play conditioning will get your instrument extra clean and optimized to play it's best! Our process starts out with a soak in a strong degreaser to loosen up the dirt and oil. Then the inside gets scrubbed out with soap and water. Next a run through the ultrasonic cleaner with a mild acid solution, another dip in the degreaser to neutralize the acid, final lava soap/dawn scrub on inside of the horn, hand polishing of silver horns, soak in dawn and water, rinse and dry. It will be cleaner than new! All cleanings come with a thorough valve alignment.

We are practicing social distancing as much as is reasonable. Because of this, estimates may be given on the porch as opposed to in the shop. Payment may be made in person but an option to pay online with a credit or debit card before pickup will be optional. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns!