The right inventory mix is key to running a successful music store.
While it’s mainly made up of musical instruments, it also includes accessories and repair tools to help customers maintain their gear. Stocking these items makes your music store a one-stop shop for all your customers’ instrument needs.
Some music stores offer repair services as well. If you provide this specialty — or are considering starting one — you’ll also need a set of tools for your own use. Offering repairs can increase revenue and strengthen customer loyalty.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top 12 musical instrument repair tools every music store should have — both to sell to customers and to use for common repairs.
Let’s get started.
A screwdriver is essential for repairing many types of instruments, including guitars, drums, and woodwinds. A set with a variety of sizes is more versatile, since some instruments have smaller or larger screws. Using the wrong size screwdriver can strip screws and make repair work more complicated.
Cloths and brushes are useful tools for removing oils and debris from instruments. Wiping down and scrubbing instruments regularly helps prevent damage and corrosion. You might consider bundling these items with an instrument or selling them in a kit with other maintenance supplies.
To maintain most instruments, you can use lubricants and oils. In woodwinds, key oil ensures quiet, smooth key action and reduces friction, squeaks, and drying. It also extends pad life and protects wooden bores. Players should regularly apply small amounts of oil.
In brass instruments, valve oil, rotor oil, and tuning-slide grease keep mechanisms fast, quiet, and airtight. These lubricants prevent stuck slides and valves and protect against wear and corrosion.
Different instruments require specific types of lubricants. Stock a variety of options and clearly label them so customers can easily find the right product for their instrument.
String winders and cutters make it easy to replace strings on guitars, basses, ukuleles, and other similar instruments. Winders tighten strings and cutters trim the excess. Keep these tools on hand to sell to customers and use for simple repair work.
On guitars and ukuleles, bridge pins secure the strings in place. If a pin becomes stuck or damaged, a bridge pin puller lets you remove it without chipping or denting the bridge. This simple tool makes string changes easier, especially for beginners.
Electronic tuners are ideal for string instruments like guitars, basses, and violins. The tuner shows you the note it detects so you can adjust the string tension to the precise pitch you need. This keeps your instrument sounding its best and helps you stay in tune when changing strings.
Fretboard conditioners prevent a string instrument’s fretboard from drying and cracking, restoring moisture and improving its feel and appearance. Apply conditioner once or twice a year for frequently played instruments.
Mouthpiece brushes prevent buildup and bacteria in the mouthpiece of an instrument, making it more hygienic and improving its functionality. Different instruments have varied mouthpiece sizes, so be sure to stock multiple options.
Pad savers absorb moisture from pads of clarinets, saxophones, and flutes to keep them in good working order. Musicians should swab their instruments with a pad saver after each use and store it outside the bore for best results. This simple tool helps extend the life of the pads and maintain consistent performance.
A drum key is a must-have item for any drummer. It adjusts the tension of the drum head to maintain sound quality and allows for quick hardware adjustments on various parts of the drum. These small items are often impulse buys, making them a smart choice to place near the register in your music store.
Cymbal polish removes oxidation and stains from cymbals, restoring their natural shine. Regular use helps keep cymbals performing at their best and prevents long-term tarnishing.
Drum head replacement tools make it easy to swap out a drum head without causing damage. They ensure the replacement head is properly fitted and tensioned to maintain optimal sound quality.
If you don’t currently stock musical instrument repair tools, you don’t need to add all of these items to your shelves at once. Start with a few basics — like electronic tuners, string winders and cutters, drum keys, and cleaning cloths — and see how they sell. If they become popular, you can expand your selection over time.
It’s important to align the tools with the instruments you carry. If you rent out lots of flutes, clarinets, and saxophones to students, for example, you’ll want to stock mouthpiece brushes, pad savers, and lubricants. If your customers purchase a lot of guitars, offer electronic tuners and string winders and cutters. You can even bundle these items with the corresponding instruments to increase sales.
Modern point of sale (POS) systems provide tools to help you manage your inventory as well. With cloud-based software, inventory numbers update automatically when you purchase new items or make sales, and you can check these totals from any internet-connected device.
Related Read: 15 Music Store Metrics You Need To Track
The same tools you sell to your customers can also be used to perform instrument repairs in your music store. Setting up a simple work order system helps you track repairs, manage workflow, and ensure that each instrument is returned on time and in top condition.
If you have the space, it’s best to establish a dedicated repair area in the back. Keep a workbench and a full selection of tools so you’re prepared to do a quick fix — like a guitar re-stringing — when the need arises.
The more tools you have on hand, the more instruments you can repair and the more revenue you can bring in. But remember, offering repairs also requires practice, experience, and a solid understanding of how each instrument works. You may need additional training or to hire experienced staff to perform these fixes.
Keep in mind that without the right tools, your repair capacity is limited, and you may have to turn customers away. To avoid losing business, stock a full range of tools.
Related Read: Inventory Management System for Music Stores: 5 Features [+ 5 Top Providers]
Managing logistics is another key part of offering repairs. Each repair job is unique, and to do it correctly, you need to record details about the instrument and its owner. While repair staff used to write this information on paper, modern tools have simplified the process.
Some POS platforms allow you to create digital work orders to store owner contact information, photos of instrument damage, past repair history, required parts, estimated timeframes, and any other notes. These systems also make it easy to communicate with customers via email or text, keeping them in the loop.
Related Read: Music Service Revenue Tracking: Are Your Repairs and Lessons Profitable?
If you run a music store, don’t forget to stock musical instrument repair tools. These items can generate additional revenue and help musicians better care for their instruments. Offering repair services with these tools expands your business’ capabilities and builds loyalty among customers.
Comprehensive POS platforms include digital tools to help you manage your music store’s operations — and a system designed with your industry in mind offers the most benefit.
Music Shop 360 is an all-in-one, cloud-based POS solution built specifically for music stores. Our software offers a range of general retail features, like payment processing and inventory management, along with music-specific functions like instrument rentals and access to music vendor catalogs.
With Music Shop 360, you can find the right repair tools to stock, keep inventory counts consistent, and track revenue against your goals. You can also create work orders to ensure that you and your staff have everything needed to provide repairs.
To see what Music Shop 360 can do for your business, schedule a demo today!