At Legato Internasional we are often asked by customers to restore old or badly damaged brass instruments. Usually, these instruments are no more than 20 or 30 years old. But recently we were given the task of restoring one that was far older. 

Few people store used knives, forks and spoons without first washing them properly. But that is exactly what many musicians do to their mouthpieces!

Almost every band director has had the problem: just before a major concert or performance one of the players reports that his instrument is damaged. 

The basic principles involved in cleaning flutes, clarinets and saxophones are very similar.