“I am absolutely blown away. This is the way I’ve always wanted this horn to play since I bought it. It has actually reached its full potential. Everything is better. I could tell from the very first notes.”

– Dustyn, Calgary
Selmer Mark VI Tenor

I specialize in overhauls of saxophones and other woodwinds, working one instrument at a time in my home shop. My training and early professional repair work took place in New York City, where I learned the standards and traditions that still guide my approach today. My work includes vintage and professional instruments trusted by collectors and serious musicians seeking maximum performance and long-term reliability from their instruments.

After an instrument arrives, it moves through a well-established, detailed process: thorough cleaning, mechanical restoration, and precise application of fresh materials, informed by both experience and long-standing repair practice. Because I work independently and on a limited number of instruments at a time, communication is direct and timelines are predictable. Throughout the process, I stay in touch with the aim of returning an instrument that feels settled, responsive, and genuinely enjoyable to play.

“There hasn’t been a single day that has gone by that I’m not grateful for the work you did on my alto. She’s still sealing beautifully and those metal resos really give that something extra I was hoping for.”

-Tony, Honolulu
Selmer Mark VI alto

While touring as a performer I overhauled many instruments for DC Sax, an established dealer of professional horns. This built a steady rhythm of horns shipped in, fully overhauled, and returned for sale. Working that way required consistency and repeatable results, regardless of where I was on the road or where the instrument was headed next.

“I sent the sax out to Mike Livingston for a mechanical overhaul, who does amazing overhaul work … the low range speaks very easily, a great mark of his exacting detail during this overhaul.”

“This sax is in excellent physical and mechanical condition. It just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does fantastic work … There is wonderful energy and vibration to the sound. The sax has great dynamic range and feels easy to push or whisper.”

“Mike Livingston just performed a full mechanical overhaul prior to sale. Mike’s work is exceptional, and this horn feels incredibly nimble and locked in. The low range is incredibly responsive with a ton of resonance.” 

The video below comes from an earlier chapter, when I was developing my mobile repair workflow while touring. It captures the way I evaluate instruments and build toward an overhaul—an approach that later carried into the large body of work shown above.

I trained in New York City, working extensively on high value instruments and learning the overhaul process through hands on experience in professional repair shops. My training includes close work under Kim Bock, with further experience gained while repairing instruments for shop owners such as John Ledbetter and Michael Norsworthy

That background shaped a repair approach centered on precision, consistency, and respect for the instrument. Today, I bring those same standards to my own workshop, offering careful, thorough overhauls at a reasonable price point with significantly faster turnaround than is typical in major metropolitan shops.

Many clients ship instruments to me from across the country, trusting that their instruments will receive the same level of attention expected from top-tier New York repair work—without the extended wait times.

If you’re considering an overhaul and have questions about process, materials, or fit, I’m always happy to talk through details before any work begins.