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Maintenance for Malmark Handbells and Choirchime® Instruments
We know there's great pride in owning Malmark handbells and with proper care and handling,
that pride can be yours for year after year after year. It usually is more practical for
you to care for your own handbells and Choirchimes®, both for
periodic maintenance and repair needs.
Taking care of your handbells is simple. You can learn about instrument maintenance by
reading the Maintenance Manual (which was included in the case at the time of your original
purchase), or by viewing the Malmark video
Sound Advice - Malmark Handbell Maintenance, either on the
VHS videotape or on this link:
Maintenance and Repair Help.
We can take care of your repair and maintenance needs. The service we offer "going over"
each handbell includes the following, if needed:
- tighten handle screw/coupler assembly
- confirm that the handle and clapper are lined up on the strike point of the casting
- tighten main assembly screw
- adjust the clapper restraining spring tension
- adjust the bearing screw in yoke
- set clapper position (soft, medium, hard) for consistency in sound
-
visually inspect the bell, to determine if there are any problems or other parts which
need adjustment or replacing, ie. restraining spring
- make recommendations if further work is needed
Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Refurbishing Questions
When is it time?
There is no specific time frame in which the instruments should be refurbished. It all
depends on how often they are used and how well they are cared for. Some signals that it
is time to refurbish include the following:
Handbells
- You have spots on the handbell castings which do not come off when they are hand polished.
- You are noticing strong overtones or beats in the sound of the bells.
- The sound of the handbells is not consistent from one to the next.
- Mechanical sounds still prevail after simple adjustments, as outlined in our maintenance manual.
Choirchimes
- Mechanical sounds still prevail after simple adjustments, as outined in our maintenance manual/
- The pitch of the chimes is not consistent from one to the next.
Who should refurbish our instruments?
Having your handbells refurbished by Malmark's bellcraftsmen also provides another important
benefit. Those sets of handbells covered by Malmark's Lifetime Warranty are assured of
continuance of that coverage. Sets of Malmark Handbells purchased before the Lifetime
Warranty was applicable (October 1984) can now obtain that warranty on all new parts used by
having their bells refurbished by Malmark.
Will my guarantee be affected if refurbishing is done by a company other then Malmark?
Yes, the warranty may be voided if you choose to have another company refurbish your instruments
and the refurbishing work performed is done incorrectly, such as, improper polishing which can
very easily de-tune or cause a casting to go flat. In such an instance, one cannot expect
Malmark to replace an expensive casting at no cost.
Scheduling
To schedule your handbell refurbishing service call Malmark at (800) HANDBEL (426-3235). To ensure
you receive your refurbished bells by your desired completion date, please allow 30 days for
the service.
When is the best time of year to have our instruments refurbished?
Malmark accepts handbell and Choirchime instruments sets for refurbishing year round. The peak
season is June, July, August, and September. While we do ask that refurbishing work be
scheduled in advance, we try to accommodate our customers and their schedules. To ensure you
receive your refurbished instruments by your desired completion date, please allow 30 days for
handbell refurbishing and two weeks for Choirchimes ®.
What is the best way to get our instruments to Malmark for refurbishing?
Once you have scheduled your refurbishing, Malmark will send you the appropriate shipping package,
which includes cartons, filler materials, sealing tape, labels and complete instructions for
packing and shipping your bells to our manufacturing site. Once you have packed your handbell
set, the carrier will pick it up and return it to Malmark. While Hassle-Free Shipping is not
included in our refurbishing price, the time and hassle saved - as well as the peace of mind
knowing your bells are packed and shipped properly - make it well worth the additional
expense. And your bells are insured.
What does Malmark do when they refurbish handbells?
- Completely disassemble and thoroughly inspect each handbell
- Inform customer of inspection results and recommendations
- Machine polish each handbell casting inside and out
- Clean, adjust and lubricate each clapper assembly
- Replace restraining springs and clapper heads where necessary
-
Brass handleblocks will be replaced with those made of glass-filled nylon unless you
specify otherwise.
-
Reassemble and revoice each handbell. Castings that do not meet our strict standards
will be replaced at no charge as long as there is no sign of abuse.
- Hand polish each casting.
How much does it cost?
- Two Octaves (G4-G6) - $630
- Three Octaves (C4-C7) - $935
- Four Octaves (G3-G7) - $1,235
- Five Octaves (C3-C8) - $1,620
- 3rd Octave Add-On (C4-F#4, G#6-C7) - $310
- 4th Octave Add-On (G3-B3, C#7-G7) - $330
- 5th Octave Add-On (C3-F#3, G#7-C8) - $440
Prices shown do not include shipping charges.
What does Malmark do when they refurbish Choirchimes®
- Thoroughly inspect each chime.
- Clean and adjust each clapper assembly.
- Replace any worn clapper heads, and replace chime labels. Parts will be an additional charge.
- Inspect resonance of each tube and make appropriate adjustments of plugs as required.
- Inspect cases and clean as appropriate.
How much does it cost?
Choirchimes® manufactured December 1992 and after
- Two Octaves (25 Notes) - $170
- Three Octaves (37 Notes) - $240
- Four Octaves (49 Notes) - $310
- Five Octaves (61 Notes) - $385
- 3rd Octave Add-On - $95
- 4th Octave Add-On - $95
- 5th Octave Add-On - $95
- Lower 6th Octave Add-On - $120
Prices shown do not include shipping charges.
Choirchimes® manufactured before December 1992
- Two Octaves (25 Notes) - $240
- Three Octaves (37 Notes) - $385
- 3rd Octave Add-On - $170
Prices shown do not include shipping charges.
Last Updated - July 27, 2008
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