Francisco Agredano came to ABI with almost three decades of experience with some of the most respected instrument manufacturers in the world. His expertise in brass instrument construction and repair makes him an invaluable part of the ABI team.

A word from Mr. Browne:
"Francisco is a master brass technician. He is the viejo (old man) in the shop. Some technicians learn the trade as an apprentice in a shop, others like Frank learn by hiring into a music instrument factory position.

Francisco worked for Kanstul Musical Instruments in Anaheim. At the time he came over to ABI, he had been the foreman at Kanstul with 30 years experience inside the factory. Francisco has two adult sons who are both brass players."

Gerry Ruvalcaba joined ABI after learning the art of brass instrument bell-making in a major manufacturer's factory. His talent with metal forming and finishing makes even the most difficult brass repairs appear effortless. Gerry also knows his way around woodwind key mechanisms, making him an excellent all-around technician.

A word from Mr. Browne:
"Gerry Ruvalcaba is another master technician that we inherited from the Kanstul factory.  Gerry's responsibilities at the plant were primarily in the bell department. He hand-hammered and spun bell sections for picc trumpet to tuba for 15 years before coming to ABI. 

Gerry knows how to move around the metals in brass instruments and parts as only a few in the U.S. can and is extremely capable of making it exactly right.  He has a loyal following with members of the Symphony and the Philharmonic." 

Scott Engle has been a part of the ABI repair team since 2005. His first love is sax, but his instinctive ability with woodwinds makes him a great technician for any of the reed instruments.

A word from Mr. Browne:
"We first met "Scottie" when he was high school student in Whittier and then later at OSCHA. He (with no formal training) was repairing his school's woodwind instruments. His frequent visits to ask for guidance and advice caused us to realize that he 'just gets it'.

Instinct told us that the years he would spend in formal training at ABI would pay off for our customers... and for ABI. As we've gotten to know Scott, one could make a case of his being a genius in woodwind mechanisms."