Hello all,
I'm currently playing Yamaha 674(or674H.. i don't perfectly remember what it is) and I think it needs check-up. Some of its pads have been making noise since few month ago, and now first two keys in foot joint(ones that are used to play low c and c#) decided not to perfectly seal the holes again(it has happened once before and I had to run to local repair shop for it).
I haven't sent it for annual check up since I started playing that flute(about 2 years) and I have no idea where to send it. I never thought of an idea of having regular checkup(xD).

I have been going to repair shop in Beacock Music (WA) for minor repairs as needed but I doubt them since it is an instrument dealer + offers instructions + sheet music store + repair shop and they mostly sell beginner or step-up instruments. (even though I have no idea how good repairman are but I have been always a little bit afraid every time I sent my flute in...) Also it only has been half a year since I sent my flute to fix those two keys... and it's happening again.

Do you think it is okay to ask Beacock music for COA of my instrument or should I find another one that is more reputable than this where it will specifically deal with woodwinds(or at least only winds)?(Beacock deals with all of string instrument(including guitar) and winds (i believe they also deal with percussion too). Well they have different techs for it. but still, the fact it's being a place for beginning and mediocre middle/high school players makes me worried)

This is the website of beacock music repair shop. I mean, they sound great according to the description on this site, but I have no idea about instrument repair.. so I think I need some help with it.

http://www.beacockmusic.com/beacockrepairdepartment.html

Before I got my 14K Brannen, I had been sending my Haynes to Carolyn Nussbaum in TX (I'm in CA and didn't trust my flute with a local repair shop). That flute had an inline-G with a split-E which made it kind of tricky to work on (had some binding problems after the Haynes factory did a COA on it). She is a very skilled tech and serviced my flute wonderfully.

It sounds like you threw your footjoint keys out of adjustment (this happens A LOT to my flute just because I press harder on those keys than others). Have you tried sliding paper under the pads to get them to stop making noise? If you get some pad juice and applicators that usually takes care of the noise (costs around $10).

BUT- I will also say that if you have not had your flute serviced in more than two years you should definitely get a COA. Steve Deutcsh in CA does a good job based on what I've heard. If it's not too far to ship, J.L. Smith in NC is a great choice too.

I always carry a piece of cigarette paper in my flute case in case the pads get sticky or make noise. The problem is, even if I slip the paper under the noisy keys, the paper will absorb nothing and noise won't stop =__=; It usually fixes some sticky keys(like r4 or g#key) but not noisy keys..
and yes, I probably should send my flute somewhere for COA but I think I'll have to wait till winter break or at least Thanksgiving for that. Thank you to both of you for recommendations.

<Added>

I looked up pad juice. I think I'll give it a try but I'm not sure if I'll get that before I go home for thanksgiving or winter break. xD