If you REALLY want to mess up something,

[bloke]

don't just drop it or bump it against something, use a TOOL.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/395058982634

[BRS]

.

[bloke]

This a copy of a Ferree’s tool. I once watched a youngster use one of the originals to remove a tiny dent from an expensive, fancy-schmancy flute head joint. It was the first time he used it. He had one of the edges of the roller riding on the tube. It put a crease along about 6” of the tube. It didn’t end well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176069425625

Here's what I do NOT get - with people who buy $5000 or even much more expensive (etc.) aftermarket flute head joints...

They are often are too loose for their flutes, so they bring them to me to expand...WTF...EXPAND !?!?! ($5000...!!!!)

I let them know that there IS technology to add silver plating to the exterior area of the fitting portion of the head joint WITHOUT adding any anywhere else...
...but no...They're too eager to play with their new toy (and don't wish to spend $100 - $200 to do something a BETTER way to their new $5000 thing), so (100% of the time) they tell me to just go ahead and expand them.

[BRS]

.

[bloke]

A theory:

“Plating” is associated with student flutes. Plating bad!!!

But stretching the crap out of a $5000+ 8” piece of tubing changing its internal (sounding) dimensions is ok.

I need to learn how to boolsheit tuba players enough too be able to sell mouthpieces for $5,000 - instead of $2XX-something, and maybe mouthpipes for $10,000 or $15,000.