Instrument Maintenance
Professional Refurbishment
Ensuring the continued optimal condition and extended lifespan of your handbell instruments is achieved through the provision of thorough and consistent maintenance services. Canada Handbell Service (CHS) offers a range of maintenance plans customized to suit your individual requirements and ensures that that our work maintains your instruments’ warranty and aligns with the manufacturer’s renowned commitment to customer service.
CHS’ endorsement is grounded in our commitment to work quality, customer satisfaction, and dedication to upholding the manufacturer’s standards of excellence. Located in Burlington, Ontario, CHS endeavors to reduce shipping costs, minimize turnaround times, and address import and export considerations. We have undergone extensive training and are fully equipped to provide factory-authorized, top-tier craftsmanship.
We offer a range of handbell refurbishment levels and handchime maintenance options. Depending on your instrument’s conditions, customers can select between our comprehensive Complete Refurbishment or fundamental Clean, Polish, and Adjust service. Additionally, all CHS facilities implement our polishing service to ensure precise instrument tuning under the manufacturer’s standards. This gentle approach allows some natural blemishes or marks to remain on aged castings. We refrain from polishing castings in a manner that could compromise sound quality.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for scheduling and information regarding your refurbishment preference.
Schulmerich Products Refurbishment options
We can complete the refurbishment work at your facility within one day. For clients located within the Greater Toronto Area who urgently require handbell refurbishment before an upcoming performance and are unable to allow the standard 3–4 week service period.
Refurbishment service includes:
1. Tuning Check
2. Handbell Inspection
3. Broken parts replaced with customer’s authorization for an additional fee
4. Polish Castings (exterior)
5. Optimize Tension Adjustments
6. Voice/Blend Handbells
7. Final Tuning Check
*Travel charges apply and vary based on distance from our service location.
Suitable for clients with a limited budget and handbells that have been in use for more than three years. If the overall condition is fair and only routine maintenance is required, the estimated service time is 3–4 weeks.
Refurbishment service includes:
1. Tuning Check
2. Handbell Inspection
3. Disassemble Handbells
4. Replace minor parts:
- Anti-Friction Washers
- Bumpers
- Stop Nuts
5. Additional parts replaced with customer’s authorization for an additional fee
6. Vacuum Cases
7. Polish Castings
8. Reassemble Parts & Handbells
9. Optimize Tension Adjustments
10. Voice/Blend Handbells
11. Final Tuning Check
Recommended for handbells that have been used for more than ten years and are in suboptimal condition, with some bells having minor component damage. The estimated service time is approximately 4 weeks.
Refurbishment service includes:
1. Tuning Check
2. Handbell Inspection
3. Disassemble Handbells
4. Clean Spacers
5. Clean Clapper Heads
6. Inspect Yoke Assemblies
7. Replace all minor parts:
- Anti-Friction Washers
- Bumpers
- Lock-Washers
- Clapper Lock-Washers (if applicable)
- Clapper Screws (if applicable)
- Stop Nuts
8. Additional parts replaced with customer’s authorization for an additional fee
9. Replace all Springs
10. Clean Handle Rivets/Blocks
11. Vacuum Cases
12. Treat Case Exterior
13. Repair Latches (extra charge)
14. Polish Castings
15. Reassemble Parts & Handbells
16. Optimize Tension Adjustments
17. Voice/Blend Handbells
18. Final Tuning Checkten
Recommended for handbells that have been used for more than twenty years without any prior maintenance. Multiple bells may have damaged components or noticeable tonal changes. The estimated service time is 5–6 weeks.
Refurbishment service includes:
1. Tuning Check
2. Handbell Inspection
3. Disassemble Handbells
4. Assemble all new parts: Clapper Assemblies, Black & Gold Master Touch Discs, Pro Style Handles
5. Vacuum Cases
6. Treat Case Exterior
7. Repair Latches (extra charge)
8. Polish Castings
9. Reassemble Parts & Handbells
10. Optimize Tension Adjustments
11. Voice/Blend handbells
12. Final Tuning Check
Handchime Service
Inspection of Handchime Instruments
Adjustment of Yoke Assemblies
Adjustment of Voicing
Minor part replacement if applicable
(Additional parts replaced with customer’s authorization for an additional fee)
Malmark Products Refurbishment options
Handbells
- Completely disassemble and inspect each handbell
- Inform customers of inspection results and recommendations
- Clean, adjust and lubricate each clapper assembly
- Replace restraining springs & clapper heads where necessary
- Qualified cracked handles & handguards will be replaced at no charge if the set was purchased under Malmark Lifetime Warranty
- Re-assemble and re-voice each handbell
- Hand polish each casting
- Inspect cases and clean
For on-site handbell service (clean, polish & adjust)
- Handbell Inspection
- Broken parts replacement (additional fee)
- Polish Castings (exterior)
- Optimize Tension Adjustments
- Voice/Blend Handbells
Choirchimes
- Thoroughly inspect each Choirchime
- Inform customer of inspection results and recommendations
- Clean and adjust each clapper assembly
- Replace bumpers, bearing screws, thumbguards and labels
- Tubes, plugs, clapper assemblies and clapperheads may be replaced at an additional charge
- Inspect resonance of each tube and make appropriate plug adjustments as required
- Inspect cases and clean
Q&A
A: Yes! According to Canadian government regulations, HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) is applicable. Our prices do not include HST.
There are two ways to handle this, and both methods consider the round trip:
1. We arrange a transportation company to collect the instruments from your location. We will provide you with a quote before picking up the instruments.
2. You can also arrange transportation yourself and send the instruments to our specified location.
Please note that you are responsible for packaging the instruments to prevent damage during transportation. You can decide whether to purchase transportation insurance for the instruments.
A: The duration of maintenance depends on how many octaves your instruments have. In general, it can be completed within one month. However, it may vary depending on the workload during that period. When you contact us, we will provide you with an estimated completion date.
A: The frequency of maintenance depends on your usage. It is closely related to how well you maintain the instruments after your regular practice sessions. In general, handbells are recommended to be serviced every five years.
A: This depends on the option you choose. If your handbells are Malmark, we will provide you with a quote for replacing the damaged accessories, and you can decide whether to proceed. If you have Schulmerich handbells, the decision will depend on the level of refurbishment you choose.