CMW is a full service music instrument repair, modification and restoration facility. We do everything from individual repairs to entire inventory assessments and refurbishing. We work with music students to enhance their ability to look after their instruments and we work with professionals who want their instrument to be just so. We might be the only shop with a mobile repair facility, so we can park next to your school and take care of all your immediate repair needs. We will even provide lectures on the interesting topic of music acoustics. Yes, we can do the math.

You can come to our shop or, if you are a school band, we can bring our shop to you.

CMW has a mobile repair shop. We can come to your school and quickly do those little, annoying repairs that crop up right before a concert. The turn around time can be minutes instead of days. We are also able to come to your school and service your entire instrument inventory often for less than the cost of  sending the broken ones out for repair.

We bring a lot of knowledge to the workbench

Our repair work comes with a unique background. Daryl Caswell and David Caswell are professional horn players. Daryl is also a mechanical engineer (PhD) and David is also a jazzer (electric bass). We also operate a manufacturing business that designs and manufactures tools for the music industry.
The Landwell Reed Knife, well known in the double reed world is one of our main products.
The original Rittich mute for French horn is made exclusively by CMW.

Some Of Our Unique Services

We do so much more than just replacing a missing screw or pad. We offer a range of hi-tech solutions.

Ultra-Sonic Cleaning

Placing a metal instrument into a fluid bath and activating very high frequency sound waves in the fluid cleans every bit of dirt and corrosion from the "pores" of the metal

Machine Shop

 If we can't find a part for an instrument, we can make it in our manufacturing machine shop.

Acoustical Analysis

Years of engineering research into music instrument acoustics allows us to dig into the acoustical behaviours of a problematic instrument or design something new.

CMW has deep roots.

The first adventures in the world of repair came, for both Daryl and David, from an interest in automotives. After music school in Chicago, David completed a two year automotive technician program at SAIT. Daryl went the antique and hot rod route starting in high school and leading to a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.  The move from cars to the more delicate world of musical instruments came about around 2006 when father and son joined forces to start a music repair business. Every year since then, they have travelled  throughout the US, Canada and Europe to study repair with the top people in the field.
Combined years of post-secondary training in arts and technology
Years of business experience in applying technology to the music world.

What Our Clients are Saying

Jane McLauchlin
 Teacher
Sir John Franklin School

"Daryl has been repairing instruments for my middle school band program for 4 years.   He has been tremendously easy to work with, prompt in responding to requests for repair and innovative in many ways - finding ways to repair the ‘irreparable’ and looking for inexpensive solutions to some challenging repairs.  His pricing is very reasonable and he is always looking into ways to do the job better.  For instance, he has come out several times and spent the day right before a concert - addressing any concerns students have with their instruments on the spot, when they come to class.  This has been tremendously effective, knowing instruments are going to be working on concert day!  His latest innovation has taken it a step further - by creating his own mobile repair shop.  He can come and park right outside the band room and he has everything he needs right there.  I have very much appreciated the excellent work Daryl has provided for us!”   Jane McLauchlin, Music - Sir John Franklin School, Calgary, AB

Jean Landa
Principal Oboe, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

"I have used Caswell Music Works several times, including at least two emergency repairs and have been very happy with the results. Thank you for your professionalism and willingness to work outside of normal business hours."

Mark Paidra
Calgary Trumpet Player
OK, That is not Mark)

Daryl worked on a trumpet of mine that needed some major surgical intervention.  It was a C trumpet that I had purchased used, and that turned out to have some serious intonation challenges due perhaps to unskilled repairs/alterations in its past.  It was great to talk to someone like Daryl who clearly has both the technical expertise of an engineer as well as the sensitivity of a musician.  I appreciated his methodical approach, and I felt completely comfortable having my trumpet go under the knife with Dr. Caswell.  He performed the work carefully and precisely, and I am delighted to be able now to use this trumpet in performance.  I have no hesitation in recommending Daryl for your instrument repair needs. 

Let  us know how we can help you

715 36th St. N. W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
403 966 1950
djcaswel@ucalgary.ca