The Music Lab is Connecticut’s top shop for repairs, rentals, and accessories.
Located on the Southington/Cheshire line, The Music Lab serves students, school districts near and far, and the professional musician looking to experiment with their instrumental options.
The Music Lab's woodwind and brass wind repair shop offers the most complete, efficient and cost-effective band repair services in central Connecticut for both students and professionals alike. Our client list includes several large and prestigious school systems, performers featured with the Hartford, New Haven and Boston symphonies, internationally known jazz and classical artists and students of all ages, from beginners to the most advanced.
At The Music Lab, clients and customers are known by name, not as a number on an invoice. A requirement of our technicians is that we play music professionally; we know how an instrument must feel and respond to play correctly. Whether a trombone slide needs a complete rebuild or a crack needs to be repaired on a professional wooden clarinet, no job is too big or too small; and no instrument, student or professional, leaves the shop unless it can be played comfortably in a professional situation.
General service repairs are frequently completed within 5 business days, unless parts need to be ordered or special requirements such as gold, silver plating or re-lacquering is requested. All repairs are commensurate with the actual cost of the labor and materials needed. If a given estimate is too low, we'll call you to get approval BEFORE doing any work. If the estimate is too high, your cost will be less; it's as simple as that.
Replacement parts that are unavailable, particularly on older instruments, are made in our custom fabrication shop. This allows us to reproduce many of these obsolete parts and complete repairs that most other shops wouldn't know what to do with. In our minds, many older instruments are of high quality and well worth repairing.
Our shop employs the most cutting-edge techniques in the servicing and rebuilding of instruments, regardless of need. Instruments are cleaned in the safest manner possible, without using dangerous chemicals or detergents. Our state-of-the-art Ultrasonic cleaning system utilizes a safe, environmentally friendly cleaning solution, keeping the instrument free of unnecessary damage, wear and toxic compounds. We stock high quality replacement parts that most general service shops don't. These parts, like composite valve washers and synthetic corks and felts, are more durable than natural materials like wool and natural cork, which most shops supply, particularly for student horns. The materials we use last longer, are more efficient and give better long-term results.
We also have a full service string repair department, offering full setups and adjustments for a range of stringed instruments including electric and acoustic guitar, electric bass, violin, viola, cello and bass violin. Whether your instrument needs a new, custom-fitted bridge, crack repair or fret work, you can count on the repair being completed in an efficient, timely manner, at a fair price. Many string repairs are completed on site, and some even as you wait.
*Please note that for work completed within 24 hours we add a surcharge of $25.00 or 25%, whichever is greater.
As an NEMC affiliate, we offer a rent-to-own program for the developing musician.
Click the “Easy Rent” link below to get started!
We offer accessories for the absolute beginner, to the elite professional, aiming to serve all musicians playing all genres of music.
For an extensive list of what we carry, give us a call.
My son's alto saxophone was accidentally stepped on. Of course, this is concert, recital and audition season. I took it to The Music Lab for repair. I expected a 5 day turn around, but since they knew we needed it soon - the repair was completed in 24 hours! Plus, they did the end of the year tune up! All for a very reasonable price! I will be bringing my son's bassoon in at the end of the month for it's end of the year tune up.
-Teresa O.
I wouldn't have any other person work on my instrument. Simply the best technicians you'll find in CT. All of my students at UConn and Hartt Community Division go to The Music Lab to get their instruments cleaned or repaired. Prompt and thorough.
-Matthew R.
High quality work. Excellent service. Fair prices. Independently owned. Dependable and reliable. Friendly.
I've had the privilege of being able to benefit from Jon's skills as a mentor and repair man for many years. Jon and his team have overhauled more than one of my woodwind instruments. They have truly made it into an art-form by selecting premium parts to use in the overhauls that one would not be able to expect elsewhere. Additionally, I have always been able to rely on their competitive service rates for usual maintenance, repairs and cleanings.
-Ian T.
The Music Lab
Rochambeau Mall
1783 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike
Milldale, CT 06467
Shop: 860.426.1961
Mobile: 860.604.4163
MONDAY - CLOSED
TUESDAY – 12:00 PM – 6:00PM
WEDNESDAY – 12:00PM – 4:00PM
THURSDAY – 12:00PM – 6:00PM
FRIDAY – 12:00PM – 6:00PM
SATURDAY – 9:00AM – 2:00PM (Closed 4/6/2024)
SUNDAY - CLOSED
Hours are subject to change due to inclement weather, vacations, and holidays (and gigs).
Please call 860.426.1961 to confirm.
