John is the best around. He has a vast array of horns in his iconic shop. He is super helpful, and will help you find the perfect horn, while making adjustments along the way to make the horn comfortable for you, personally. He is the best repairman, and works with meticulous detail. Every horn he touches plays beautifully. There is no one like him.

I cant say enough good things about John. I have been looking to buy a Mark VI tenor for years, but had a very tight budget for it. After sending John an email explaining what I was looking for he told me he would let me know as soon as something came in that match my criteria. Once the horn came in, John sent me an email about it along with his play test video. John even talked to me for about 30 minutes to make sure all my questions were answered about the horn. Before shipping out the horn John went through it top to bottom to make sure there was nothing wrong with it. I honestly dont know if its just the horn or if John just did that good of a job setting the horn up, but its the best tenor I have ever played! Best customer service experience I have ever had, cant wait to do more business with John in the future.

Great Experience!!!John is really knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his craft. We came to a good square deal on a great vintage horn. Im 100% happy with my experience.

John has all the necessary qualities to succeed in this business!Super kind, great musician and repairman he will help you find what you are looking for!Thank you dear John for everything, lets keep in touch!

John is an incredible technician, player and teacher of the saxophone! I got a custom horn from him and it plays so effortless and sounds so warm. With the un-lacquered finish and subtle dragon etching, Its absolutely gorgeous and everyone comments on how nice it is as soon as they see it. And once they hear it, theyre in love.And his lessons are spot on too. He really has a command over the instrument and knows exactly how to impart his knowledge in easy to understand pieces. As a beginner its important to make sure youre on the right path in terms of learning and John has the patience and experience to make sure youre learning exactly what you need to.

Amazing selection of saxophones, extremely cool store. The owner John was super helpful and an awesome dude- I highly recommend you go here! Got a great deal on a beautiful sax, will definitely be returning for maintenance and other future purchases.

John is fantastic! My tenor overhaul has been going for a decade and I just got it tuned up and it still screams. The action is smooth and quiet and everything seals with no play. This horn is 58 years old and it feels brand new.

Not only I have been taking my horns to John, but I also recommend him to all my students. Each time I get my horn back the work I requested to be done has been done expertly. My horns are more responsive, the action is quite, and the work done lasts.

Our experience has been fantastic. The custom made tenor sax made by JL Woodwinds sounds great. It has been so easy to schedule regular maintenance with John. Thank you for everything

Patient, kind, meticulous, passionate and knowledgeable- Truly the best in the world. Fair billing and he let me watch the whole time, describing exactly what he was doing. He can also play!Flew all the way out just to meet with John. I brought my new SBA. He was quick to find the problems and show me what was causing the leaks. He listened to what I worried about and resolved those issues. I was able to watch him swedge the keys, fit them perfectly, adjust every bumper meticulously to remove lost motion, etc. When he was done, it was the best playing set-up I have ever had.I was also able to try his custom line of horns and discuss those and his necks. Johns passion for perfection is shown in his saxophones.

Brought in my King for an overhaul a few months back and all I can say is WOW. Turnover time was a bit slow but well worth the wait. John is the real deal. Do yourself a favor and let him not only rejuvenate your horn but your playing also!

Super impressed by this place! After my clarinet got knocked over on its stand and various keys got bent out of shape making me squeak (well squeak more than normal), I brought it in. John fixed it right then and there and charged a very fair price. He was also super careful about following Covid precautions even though we were the only two people in his workshop - made me feel very safe. He is obviously a nerd about woodwinds and takes great pride in his work. My clarinet sounds better than it did before the fall. I will be recommending him to anyone who has woodwind needs!

Bought an absolutely beautiful Selmer sba from John, which he shipped from NY to London. I was a bit nervous, never having bought an instrument online, but I FaceTimed John who was incredibly helpful and patient. He took me through the process and it was fun. John demonstrated the instrument, asked what I was looking for in terms of setup and action and he kept in touch every step of the way. When the alto arrived, it was working great having been extremely well packaged (and overhauled). Wouldn’t hesitate to buy from John again. Thanks!

Thak you brother John for a Professional and well done repair on my saprano horn. When I come to N.Y.C. in November, will for sure stop by to check out some of the nice horns in the store. Again, Thank You Brother... A+++

John brought my flute back from the dead! After not playing for years, my flute was in desperate need of an overhaul and John fixed it at a reasonable price and it is now playing great! I would definitely recommend.

I talked with Mr John (Honor) about Intermediate Alto Saxophone by phone, really I have astonished. He was respectfully talked with me and gave me some suggestions and used and new horn price etc. Thanks

I ordered a custom Carbon Fiber case from John and the team, and all I have to say is PERFECTION! Great communication the whole way through along with photo follow up. It is great to know there are still craftsmen who take pride in not only their work but also guest satisfaction! Definitely will stop by every NYC trip I make to at least say hello! You have a customer for life!

Working with John was a positive experience. Professional, friendly, knowledgeable and also clearly communicating with me during the whole process. KUDOS John!

I was actually inquiring about a Yani soprano sax in eBay before I found JL woodwind repair website. I asked so many question that I probably should ask an online seller anyway. Ebay seller got irritated after a while I think. He messaged me that since I am so concern, that I should just buy a new one ! He even told me that for my information, he is a professional sax player. I told him that I already purchased a second hand one in JL woodwind repair from New York. Cost me cheaper, owner even faced time me twice and played the sax for me twice. I wished him good luck because I am nice but it was a “drop the mic moment”. 😂. eBay seller might be selling an authentic Yanagisawa saxophone but as a customer, we should be allowed to ask questions. John has answered all my questions before purchase. I still ask him questions about sax and every time I email or text him, he responds back. Great customer service. I wish to meet him someday!

I wish that I could leave a more than 5 star review, John is simply the best, he and JT treated me like family, he worked on my leaking and unplayable Yamaha 62 purple tenor and soprano saxes and they now play better than they ever have, they are like brand new horns that have been set up to my exact specifications. He is also a great saxophonist and played both of my horns in front of me to verify that they are in perfect playing condition. No wonder professional saxophonists ( and hobbyists like me) seek him out to work on their instruments. I am also excited to try out his own line of saxophones; with the attention to detail that he displays when he makes repairs, I would expect that his own, handmade horns are incredible!!!!!

John is the real deal, and a very nice guy to boot.He had my flute playing as well and sounding as good as, or better than, it ever has in the nearly half-century Ive owned it. He clearly has a feelfor the uniqueness of each instrument, and brought out the very best in this one.I also brought in a soprano sax to be evaluated for repair. He told me what it would cost to make the horn play well, and what itwould cost for a complete overhaul. He did not charge me for the estimate.I recommend him and his shop most heartily to *anyone* who wants to get their horn to be the best it can possibly be.P.S.: his prices are more than fair; it was a pleasure doing business with him and JL Woodwind Repair.

Very good work on my saxophone. Had a misaligned bell on my alto but he was able to tap it back into position and get everything sealing properly. Highly recommended!

Ive taken two saxophones and a flute to John, and he made each of them feel better than brand new. My overhauled 194xxx Mark VI Tenor is simply an effortless joy to play now thanks to Johns craftsmanship! Not only is John an excellent technician, he is a world class musician that understands how an instrument should feel in the hands of the artist. Hes super easy to work with, wont B.S. you about price or time frames, and takes pride in his work. Will recommend 15/10 times to colleagues!

John overhauled my Selmer Mark VI Alto. Phenomenal service, first class craftsmanship- all at a fair price. I would highly recommend JL Woodwind Repair to anyone in need of service or repair work. John, I cant thank you enough!

I had a problem with my alto sax and had no idea what it was. John identified and fixed it for me in a few minutes (and it was a weird manufacturers error). I plan to upgrade my saxophone in the next few months, and will definitely go back here to buy it. Customer service was just A+, 10/10, will go back.

Accommodating in every way, John and the staff at JL Woodwind Repair were able to completely transform the way my vintage horn plays. Incredible! With only three hours given due to my time constraint, they did a fantastic job! It plays like new. Highly recommend to any woodwind player. Extremely personable and professional service!

In addition to being an excellent saxophonist and musician, John is a highly skilled repairman. His dedication to his craft shows in his exemplary work. He did a complete overhaul (including keyfitting) and lacquer strip on a vintage Conn New Wonder II alto and brought the horn back to life. I was amazed by the attention to detail he put into his work. Business wise, John is excellent to deal with - he communicated about the progress of the work (including picture updates), and was upfront about the costs involved beforehand. The final price was very fair, especially considering the amount of time and work that he put into the instrument. Highly recommended!

John not only answered my call immediately and did phenomenal work after business hours, but is also an incredibly kind person with a real passion for his business. 11/10 customer service and pricing. A rare gem and someone that deserves all of the business he can handle. Would’ve rated 6 stars if it was possible. Thank you!!!

Bought an amazing horn from John today in his shop. Amazing service, friendly atmosphere, and he let me try out his elite models! Great time

John did a complete overhaul of my King Super 20 tenor and, honestly, it came out sick! The response, action and intonation are all dialed in to perfection. I am falling in love with this horn all over again. Johns also a great player, himself, so hes able to give horns real stress tests as hes doing the finishing touches. Doing an overhaul (and mine had some special issues, body and neck work, etc.), you are putting a LOT of trust in somebody. John came highly recommended. And, I was not disappointed! It was a great investment. You cant go wrong with John. Hes a pro and a super nice guy, too! Thanks, again, John!

John is a super friendly guy and great at what he does! He was very flexible in working with me to get my horn repaired for when I needed it and on a budget. And even with that, he exceeded my expectations to make my old horn sound incredible. Also, he has incredible custom horns that play better than other horns twice his cost. If you are in NYC and need a woodwind or saxophone repair, definitely head to JL Woodwind Repair!

I recently discovered this shop because John had a used P. Mauriat tenor model (which I had been searching for) advertised on his web page. It was very “broken in” and needed new pads (was advertised as-is or with a pad job), but was otherwise exactly what I wanted. I was reluctant because I live in Colorado and an in person visit to see the horn was just not possible at the time. I did a little digging and found out he has a great reputation (and apparently some pretty noteworthy clients), so I went ahead. I just received the horn and could not be happier with the repad and setup. Perhaps more importantly however, John bent over backwards to patiently—and humbly—answer my questions, send lots of pictures, a video of himself play testing the horn, and generally whatever I needed to feel comfortable about the purchase. I’ve never before received this quality of service or level of individual attention from any other woodwind dealer/repairman—an industry which seems to have it’s fair share of large egos—and I REALLY appreciate it. Overall a very pleasant experience, and couldn’t be happier the the end result!

I had a great experience getting my clarinet repaired here. John is an excellent repairman and really nice person. He knew exactly what was needed after a brief analysis and quoted me an accurate estimate of cost at the beginning. My clarinet plays great. I would highly recommend going to this shop to get your woodwind fixed up, this guy really knows what he is doing.

My experience with John was excellent all around. He brought my flute back to life (it literally hadnt been touched in 10 years). I was so happy to find that he was kind, fun, professional and totally down to earth and reasonable with his approach to his business. Its obvious that he loves what he does and is good at it. Finding this gem was such a blessing and I highly recommend Johns services to all those who may need it. 5 stars all the way.

My experience at JL Woodwinds was nothing short of fantastic. John Leadbetter was extremely friendly and helpful in matching me with a new horn.He hand selected a number of beautiful horns for me to try that suited my budget, and gave honest opinions of each of them. Perhaps most importantly, all of Johns horns are in top notch playing condition, unlike some other stores Ive visited, where the horns (vintage) on the rack have issues/may need work done on them in the near future. John was also as accommodating on price as he reasonably could be and made sure everything that needed to be done was sorted within the short timeframe I had in New York. Even when I was satisfied, John was still tinkering with the horn so that it would be the best it could be.JL Woodwinds is a must visit for any saxophone player visiting New York. If not to buy, then just to play some amazing instruments and to hang out with John!

The guys at JL are great! They are considerate, knowledgeable, expert craftsmen who could probably build you a saxophone from scratch using just their bare hands. They stand behind their work and the price is reasonable. Definitely check them out if your horn is in need of anything.

What a gem! Coming into this as a complete beginner John walked me through everything I needed to know to make an informed decision when purchasing my first sax. Spending time in his shop I also got to see the care he puts into his work, visible both in the meticulous handiwork that goes into his repairs and his genuine concern for providing customers with the best possible outcome. Looking forward to frequenting his shop in the coming years for repairs, equipment and all other sax-related needs!

I recently got my Mark VI alto completely overhauled and am absolutely floored at how well it is playing now. Its never played so well in the 10 years Ive had this horn, and I actually didnt know it was possible to have a horn sounding and feeling so great to play. Its really so effortless to play now. John goes the extra mile to make sure everything is perfect, and he even found a pre-existing issue with my horn that had gone undetected for years, which kept my horn from ever reaching its full playing potential. Im SO pleased with the work hes done on my horn and highly recommend his shop!!

John is the best! He is super helpful, friendly, and knowledgable.I just picked up a new custom tenor, and Im so happy with it!I also wanted a new mouthpiece. He quickly assessed my needs and found me a great piece in about five minutes - just what I was looking for.Highly recommended!

Phenomenal job. Also very durable. The business is totally reliable. And JL is on top of all this, a killer sax player a beautiful person! I started playing his brand of Saxophone 3 weeks ago, and I can sense a new plateau coming into view!

John was able to fit me in as I was only in town for a short trip and my tenor plays like new! Super friendly and not pushy, which is what you can get from other techs. He’s there to make the horn play how you want it to. Doesn’t hurt that he’s an awesome player too! 6/5 stars!

Ive worked with John for years and I will not trust my instruments with anyone else. He is the absolute best: a talented artisan/musician and a consummate businessman. If youre in need of woodwind repair in NYC, John and team will provide exceptional service, return your instrument in peak performance condition, and all for a reasonable price.

My son and I are happy saxophone players over here! The overhauls, the set ups, you so expertly performed to our horns are phenomenal !!!! Its all about the sound John and you nailed it! Thank You!!!

John is THE sax man in NYC. I brought in my 52 Super Balanced Action alto hardly able to hold a note and shortly after, came out with a beautiful, musical, horn. John was incredible attentive to my specific needs and concerns for the sax, using only ORIGINAL parts and truly restoring my instrument to all of its original splendor. This guy knows what hes doing and puts incredible thought and labor into each repair.

Just had a custom tenor sax crafted for my son by John. His attention to detail is second to none and he was amazing to deal with. The sax is beautiful and sounds incredible. My son hasn’t put it down. We look forward to dealing with John for years to come. Every aspect of this experience has exceeded our expectations.

John is the man! An amazing repairman, great all-around guy and the only person Id trust my horns with in New York. In addition to minor repairs over the years, John has done complete overhauls of my tenor and soprano saxes. He took dents out of places I assumed couldnt couldnt be fixed and set up the mechanics and feel of the horns to be the best Id ever experienced. Made my 60-year-old Mark VI play and feel like new!

I have an alto saxophone that I dont use much that was in pretty rough condition. I needed some keys fixed, but also didnt want to break the bank so I was able to give John my budget and he said hed do what he could with what I could pay which was awesome. He went above and beyond and my sax is playing way better than before!

I had an absolutely fantastic experience working with John and Matt. I felt like I was in knowledgeable and honest hands right from the first email exchange until I walked out of the doors with a perfectly tuned tenor and repaired mouthpiece. The guys at the shop were incredible friendly and easy to talk to -- its obvious that their entire goal is to make sure that you leave completely happy with the work they have done. The quality of the work is second to none. My tenor sax absolutely sang after John was finished working on it; it really felt like a different (and better) instrument. If you live anywhere on the east coast or have any reason to go to New York City and need repair work done (or even a new mouthpiece), I would highly recommend you stop in at JL Woodwind repair. Thanks guys!!

JL is the man!!! Sweet guy and a killing repairman. He did a tremendous job on my tenor. Very meticulous and doesnt cut any corners. If you need a repair you MUST go see him. Youll thank me later:)HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

John is THE go to guy to get your horn fixed! I play a Selmer Mark VII tenor sax that was long over due for a much needed overhaul. Not only does he meticulously go over every inch of the instrument, he plays it better than anybody and is a true master. Think of Dexter Gordon fixing your horn and testing it out! My sax now plays better than the first day I got it! The overtones and the response is amazing. The chrome resonators are superb. The high quality pads etc. are first rate. Take care of your horn it’ll take care of you. If you are serious about your music, you must go to JL Woodwind!

On a recent visit to NYC, we stopped by JL Woodwind Repair, on a whim after a morning of sightseeing, to search for a used tenor sax for my daughter.We apologized for not calling first and John immediately made us feel at ease. Taking time away from his repairs, he answered all of our questions, searching for an instrument that was a good fit for my daughter. After my daughter decided on a used Selmer, both her and John played it so that he had an idea of the necessary adjustments for her playing style. Because we were leaving a few days later, John had the instrument in great condition in a couple of days.The down payment & final payment went smoothly. A number of payment options were offered and emails were sent as each transaction was processed.We would HIGHLY recommend JL Woodwind Repair whether you are looking for an instrument or need work done on one. We were very pleased with the personal service and attention to detail that he provided.

John is, to-date, the most competent repairperson I’ve met... not to mention the youngest, the most socially bearable and the best player of the lot, for whatever that’s worth.No need to look elsewhere.

It was woodwind wizardry. He took my daughters beat up, sad, clarinet and transformed it into a musical instrument! He was very honest and realistic. We discussed what I was willing to spend on it, what I could expect, etc. He gave me an estimate of both cost and time and then stuck to it. His attention to detail is amazing and his understanding of the inner workings of woodwind instruments is awesome. I would definitely recommend to anyone with an instrument in need of some TLC.

I have known John Leadbetter for over 5 years, and he has done an outstanding job fixing my Cigar Cutter tenor on several occasions. He is clearly very serious about his work and totally devoted to making a horn sound and feel better. His attention to detail is arresting, and while he sees every little thing that could be fixed or improved, he is also able to work within a given budget and to do whatever your priority is. In addition to his great skills as a repairman, John is an impressive saxophonist, which guarantees that when he tests a horn he knows exactly what it is supposed to feel and sound like.

I was really impressed by the range of products and quality of service. A proper shop.

Outstanding craftsmanship - and more importantly, professional INTEGRITY: honest assessment of repairs needed and fair pricing. It is so hard to find a world class tech - look no further, John is it! I am very happy with the work John did on my horn and would recommend it to all my friends.

John was able to save my saxophone from 2 years of sitting idly so I can get back into playing. His attention to detail was impeccable and I swear my CustomZ is playing better than when I first bought it. Hes a beautifully skilled technician, a wonderful player, and an all around great guy! Highly recommend John for all your musical needs.

The most knowledgeable saxophone techs in the city! John is truly a master of his craft. I sent in my silver Yamaha sax for repair, and it came our sounding better than Ive ever heard it.

Outstanding. Recently bought a Custom Bari Sax of his design. Ive been going to him for repairs now too, and I live 40 miles away... Decent pricing as well, will actually fix the instrument, goes the extra mile for something he loves, what more could you ask?

Ive been playing saxophone for over 20 years and have been to many repair shops. Ive never been to one like Johns. He makes you feel like youre his favorite customer all while doing stellar repair work at a near blinding pace. He gave me a tour of his shop, put all of his favorite vintage and custom horns into my hands to try, and before I knew it, he had made a dozen or so repairs and modifications to my horn and put it back into my hands to try. Johns client list is basically a whos who of NY saxophonists. Maybe thats all you need to know. I cant wait to go back.

Before I brought my soprano and flute in, I never played them because of their condition. But now after picking it up today from John, Ive been playing them all day.They play like theyre brand new. This place really puts the time and effort into making instruments play to their fullest potential. Best repair I have ever gotten :)

John and his staff are extremely knowledgeable and super friendly! I would give him more than 5 stars if I could. Not only does he do high quality repair work he is a great guy and fun to hang with.

I was so satisfied with a minor repair that John did on my horn that I couldnt wait to leave it with him for a total overhaul. Right from the get-go I could tell he was a extremely knowledgeable and a perfectionist to the extreme; just what you want when youre leaving your baby in someones hands! He explained clearly what was needed, did EXCELLENT work and stuck to his quote. My horn has a new lease on life and Im really glad to have a technician in town that I trust.

These guys are great. Very reliable, dependable & honest horn adjustments & repair work. It always nice to have musicians working on your instruments because you know they have a sensitivity thats genuine to your needs. Im looking forward to having these guys in my neighborhood for years to come!

Just picked up my custom carbon fiber case for my SBA and Im completely blown away!! The attention to detail and work hours that JT put into this is incredible. I feel like the same level of craftsmanship that was used on this case is equal to the craftsmanship of the Selmer SBA it protects. I really couldnt be happier! Thanks JT and John!

Simply put, John saved my saxophone. My Yamaha Ex plays better then I can remember and this is no exaggeration. John and staff are super friendly, personable and approachable people. To say they pay attention to detail is an understatement. I was confident to leave my horn with John after he thoroughly inspected my horn from tip to tail, explaining all he can do for me. My horn was ready when he said it would be ready, not even 2 full days for some serious repair work. When I played my horn for the first time in the shop, I was floored at his work. Hes the only one that will touch my horn from now on. Plus its an awesome hang in his shop, super warm welcoming crew. And be sure to check out Matt Marantz custom mouthpieces, he is making some quality stuff in there!

Most knowledgeable repair specialist I have ever known. The knowledge that he has about such complex instrument as sax is truly amazing. My brand new Selmer was adjusted and tuned in no time and I could not be happier ! He also is a killer sax player which I think is very important when somebody is working on your instrument !

After bringing my saxophone to John, I dont want to use anyone else. His work ethic and attention to detail are outstanding, and he has a high commitment to customer service. He overhauled my Mark 6 and did an amazing job with it - everything from realigning the body tube to fitting new pads and resonators to filing straight my tone holes. I would highly recommend John to any other woodwind player I know.

Just a superb saxophone tech. My horn plays like it never has before after John worked his magic. He has an exquisite attention to detail, and to boot, really can play, so knows how the horn should feel and sound. Highly recommended.

Great repair work! Very knowledgeable staff who can play test horns and get them playing their very best. Fair prices and super friendly folks!! John is the best.

John did a great job getting both Selmer mark VIs ready to play and it was awesome how easy he made it when we asked him to find a buyer for one of them. Great technician, professional businessman who also happens to be a nice guy. Thanks again John!!

I came in with Beuscher Aristocrat sax in desperate need of repair. John looked at it thoroughly, and we had a really nice chat about jazz, his amazing line of saxophones in his shop on display. In the end, I decided to buy one of his own custom alto saxophones instead of repairing my old one and this is the BEST experiences I have EVER had as a musician. Professional advice from a professional player in the industry. Definitely worth a trip from ANYWHERE.

So thats what my horn is supposed to feel like!This is the way I felt after John Leadbetter worked on my tenor. My horn is always in good shape but Im always trying to find a way to make it better. And now I found it. John is not only a great repairman but also a great player and this makes all the difference in the world. Its all about his connection to what he does. If the horn doesnt play comfortably for him he wont expect it to do so for you.I think of food the same way. I dont want anything prepared by a chef who doesnt love to eat. If John opened a restaurant the food would be delicious. But I hope he doesnt. Who would repair my horn?

Last summer I took my new-to-me clarinet into JL for re-padding. John was easy to talk to and did a great job on the repair. So much so that I then brought in a flute which had gotten a very poor repair job elsewhere to see if he could correct the mistakes made. He certainly could and did, and now both instruments play beautifully.The repairs are an excellent value, and I would say dont waste time and money on sub-par repair jobs elsewhere. Go to these guys and get it done right the first time!

Great guy and great technician, who really takes the time to explain what needs to be done and gives an accurate estimate of how much it will cost. The result is a very pleasant experience with a great playing sax at the end of it :)

What a real treasure this guy is, I’ll tell ya. A true craftsman and a genuine delight to deal with. Your horn is in good hands with this gent, no doubt about it.

Everything that I experienced about Johns work, shop, attitude, expertise, everything, was awesome! He does great repair work and will undoubtedly fix up your horn and make it play better than ever (regardless of the damage done to it) better than anyone. His shop is in an awesome location and he is super friendly and cool to work with. His shop has grown quite a bit since I was last in there but Im looking forward to checking out what hes got going on now. Hes killin it down there in the Village.Chris

John and his whole crew have been nothing short of awesome every time I have been to the shop. He has literally performed miracles on my 1927 Conn Chu Berry Tenor including full neck repair on the day after I dropped it, neck extension, general servicing etc etc. My horn sounds and feels better than it ever had thanks to his fine craftsmanship and attention to detail, and JL will always be my first choice repair shop!

John is the best! He fixed some sealing/intonation/alignment issues I had been having with my Tenor Selmer Mark VI for a couple years, ever since an incident where my horn was severely damaged...It hadnt been the same since. After John worked on it for less than one hour, it finally feels like the old horn I knew and loved! I highly recommend going here for any saxophone repair. Fast, Quality, Affordable work with Personable Service!!!

Great experience! John is a masterful technician and extremely knowledable. His work on my alto and soprano saxophones was effective, quick and affordable. Definitely check out JL Woodwind repair for all of your repair needs!

I called on JL Woodwind Repair to try to fix my alto and what seemed to be some relatively large chronic issues that my local shop couldnt seem to resolve. I called after-hours and before I could even leave a message I got a text saying How can I help you?. The next day I met with John and he looked over my horn and clearly explained to me what was wrong and how it would be best fixed. He meticulously went through and fixed each issue and more, keeping me updated by text throughout the day as I spent time in the city with my family. I was impressed by his knowledge, speed and quality of work. I felt that he spoke to me like wed known each other for years. He followed up with me a few days later which proved to me that hes dedicated to getting the job done right and cares that his customers are happy with his work. I am, it hasnt played this good in years. Thanks again John!

John is very easy to work with. He also does fantastic repair work! I could not be happier with the results I received. I recommend him for all your woodwind needs.

Got several of my pads on my clarinet replaced and the service was quick and stellar! John was super friendly and let me know in detail what was wrong. Highly recommend coming here to fix up your instrument.

Fantastic experience! I took my Tenor sax, which was in need for desperate attention, in for repair, and John fixed it to play like it was brand new. He runs an honest business. I am definitely coming back with my Clarinet and Alto sax.

Wonderful, knowledgeable and engaging musical artisan! Not haughty at all. Fair businessman and great performer on saxophone as well.

I could not thank John enough for his absolutely fantastic work done on my horn. I still cannot believe how well it is playing, and the difference he was able to make. Super friendly, and willingly to go the extra mile!

Went to see John after i found a crack in the bottom of my alto, the worst damage ive seen to any horn. I wasnt even sure it would be fixable. John did an outstanding job. The horn not only plays like nothing happened, it looks incredible. You can barely even tell there was any damage. On top of that John was incredibly personable, professional and thorough when explaining what work had to be carried out to repair the horn. Incredibly friendly guy, and an incredible repairman. Go see him.

John is the man! Hooked up my alto and got it playing better than ever. Really nice guy and a absolute killing saxophonist. Thanks again John!

I could not have felt more comfortable leaving my new and first sax here to get repaired. These guys really know what their doing and I am very satisfied with the results. I will refer every musician friend to this spot. Thanks guys!!

Yet another 5-star review for John. I had previously gotten an overhaul of my very old but loved alto at another shop and it played fine at first...until it didnt. I brought it to John this time and well, the leaklight doesnt lie. Lots of problems and missteps needed fixing, but me being a sax hack and not a pro I could only invest so much into repairs. There was zero pressure and John gave me a really fair quote to get my horn up and running again, if not yet perfect. Given how many cases were lining his shelves the turnaround was super quick and my old favorite sounds fantastic. Hes talented, fair and incredibly kind for a guy who Im sure deals with demanding customers all day. Highly, highly recommended.

This was my first time visiting Johns shop and meeting John and my overall experience was great. John worked on my tenor and made the necessary adjustments I needed and the work was great. In addition to trying out various vintage saxophones, John had two of his JL line of saxophones, a unalcquered and nickel silver tenor. Both tenors played great sonically and setup wise. I really like that John can customize these tenors specifically to you all the way down to what engraving you want. Again, I had a great experience at Johns shop and would highly recommend those from The tri-state area to come and check out his work. Thanks for you time John!Zach

John is the man to bring your horn to! From big to little repairs he perfects. He did such a beautiful job overhauling my horn! So glad i found him!!

John managed to find time while moving locations to do some work for me on very short notice. He did a great job and was super friendly! Definitely coming back in the future.

Great overalls on two antique sopranos!

John treat wass excellent, i purchased an used soprano a sax which was in excellent condition. His dedication was superb, i really recommend doing business with him! Keep on with the good job

John is a friendly, patient and approachable person to go to. He checked the problems of my clarinet and was patient when answering my questions. I got my clarinet in 3 days and it sounds good when I played at the event. 😄

I actually obtained a custom alto from John and I designed it completely to my liking (Im talking silver-plated neck and bell with an unlaquered rose brass body and gold plated keys and much more!!!) The entire journey of getting my horn built and assembled by his company was really endearing as John will help you get the best looking and sounding horn you want and at the same time have it very affordable!!! He really puts his pride and love into his work and you could definitely feel it in his assembly and Ill tell you that its completely worth it!!! Im definitely looking forward to receiving another custom horn from him because with these horns I feel like I have no limits (Coming from someone who played on a Yanagisawa A-901). If youre looking for a custom horn thats great in aesthetics and quality while at the same time afforable, John and JL Woodwind Repair are the way to go!!!

Really an expert! I bought a used clarinet and took it to John when it didnt play well. John diagnosed the problem right away, explained it to me in terms I could easily understand, and took the time to fix it the right way. Highly recommended!

I recently purchased a specially made tenor sax case for my Selmer Mark VI. Not only did John Ledbetter (owner & sax man himself) and company produce a case beyond my expectation but the man is a throwback to the days when shop owners cared as much for their customers satisfaction as they did for the dollars they make. Since JL Woodwind Repair is in New York and Im in Pittsburgh, PA., my requirements were discussed and agreed upon over the phone and through e-mails. The case got a scratch and a few dimples in transit but John agreed to refund a portion of my cost with no argument. You can bet your sweet bippy I have no problem recommending JL Woodwind Repair to every and anyone. Thanks guys!!!

John is a thorough and transparent repairman. Hes worked on 4 of my horns so far (2 clarinets and 2 flutes) and is always clear and upfront about the costs as well as the exact work the instruments in their particular condition might need--and will advise as to whats a good idea to do now vs a must do now. Most important though is the thorough part. Woodwind repair (or any instrument repair) is an art, and a bit of a dying one, which very few people (VERY few) know how to do with aplomb.I guess the third word would also be a t word which (as with car mechanics) is crucial for this line of work: trustworthy. While Im not naming names publicly (email me for that! ;) ) I have had horrible experiences with other instrument repairmen around town who are extremely unscrupulous--to put it as mildly as I can! Being able to trust John with my horns has therefore been quite the relief!I only wish he would PLaY clarinet more...but then again Im very biased on that issue, and here we are all keeping him busy with repair work.