Andres Bautista

Andres Bautista is the owner of Century Mallet Instrument Service, located in the historic Deagan Building in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, just one block south of our Chicago home, Artifact Events. His shop is filled with marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, chimes, and many other mallet percussion instruments.

Built in 1912 and originally home to the J.C. Deagan Company, this building is a hidden gem of both music and Chicago history. John Calhoun Deagan was a pioneer in the design, tuning, and manufacturing of mallet instruments. His innovations include orchestral mallet percussion instruments, chimes for pipe organs and cathedrals, carillon bells, and even dinner chimes, which you might recognize from train rides or concert hall lobbies, where they were used to announce the start of performances. Notably, the NBC broadcast chimes (G-E-C) were developed by Deagan, with the notes representing the General Electric Company, one of NBC’s original founders. In 1910, Deagan also convinced the American Federation of Musicians to adopt A=440 as the standard pitch, a practice that most American orchestras still follow today.

After Deagan’s retirement in 1980, master tuner Gilberto Serna founded Century Mallet Instrument Service, taking over the Deagan building. Eleven years ago this month, Andres Bautista became the current owner.

Andres’ dedication and passion for restoring these remarkable instruments to their original playing condition is unparalleled. Percussionists, universities, and major symphony orchestras from around the world send their instruments to him for his expert care and unmatched service. In this Summer Vignette interview, Andres discusses the materials used in making and repairing these instruments, what causes them to need repairs, and how he meticulously refinishes them. If you’re interested in seeing this craft in person, tours of the Deagan Building and Century Mallet Instrument Service are available by appointment through his website at www.centurymallet.com.