Fred Melk

Fred Melk was born the year his father and grandfather (Philip Sr and Jr) opened a small instrument repair shop in Milwaukee, WI. The year was 1956. Fred’s father became one of the country’s foremost authorities on band instruments and repair. In the days before NAPBIRT and other organizations dedicated to the profession, many independent repairmen had little in the way of written materials and tools to assist them with their job. Phil Jr and years later Fred made many adjustments to existing tools, modifying them to fit their needs, or they would design and craft their own tools. Fred has carried on the tradition of the family’s involvement in instrument repairs as well as expanding the business to include the sales of musical instruments and products.