www.hornguys.com - AKA Ferguson's Music - First Impressions

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:35 am

Hello tuba friends,

Yesterday I visited Steve Ferguson's (http://www.hornguys.com) shop in La Crescenta California, about twenty minutes outside of Los Angeles and thought I would chime in with a thought or two about the wonderful "candy shop of brass" he has going on right now near Pasadena.

I have a student who was interested in trying out a BBb tuba they had in stock, and contacted Steve to see if he could come in on a Sunday, a day in which the shop is usually closed. Being that I'm a Sabbath observer and will not work or go out on Saturday, I thought it was very kind and respectful that Steve took the time to meet us on a day the store is usually closed.

Now I have hoped for a long while that somebody would open a professional brass music store in the Los Angeles area, and I don't think it could have come from a better person. Although I just met Steve yesterday, I can tell you that he is a knowledgeable salesman and an honest gentleman, and I look forward to visiting his shop again in the near future. He let us take our time trying instruments and was open to any questions we had while giving us plenty of space to decide.

My student walked out the door with a very fine deal on a Yamaha BBb tuba, and was given plenty of extras in the deal. The horn was used, but had been looked over and fixed up by the great Robb Stewart and played better than most BBb tubas I've tried. Steve was very accommodating to my student, who is a beginner and gave us all the time we needed to test the horn with NO PRESSURE and a friendly and honest attitude. I was mighty impressed! Of course Steve is a bass-trombonist, so in some ways it all makes perfect sense. He even gave us these fantastic "Ferguson Music" beer-openers (even more obviously a bass-trombonist).

I also got a chance to try many of the horns he had in stock, and thought I might chime in with a few impressions, as I don't get to try many tubas and this was a special treat for me.

The first horn I tried was the Yamaha YBB-641 BBb tuba, which is the horn my student ended up buying. I was happily surprised by the way this horn played, as I've heard mixed reviews of the instrument. It played very much like a Miraphone 186 BBb, but even a little bigger in breath-of-sound. I was also quite impressed with the intonation, being that itâ€™s a horn designed like the 186. This good intonation may have been exceptional for this particular horn (as it is an early production model) but I was surprised at how easy the notes slotted in pitch and at the response of this instrument. I actually tried it next to a 186 BBb and thought the sound, intonation, and feel of the instrument was even better than the new Miraphone, which was over twice the price-tag.

I then moved on to a new Miraphone 186 CC. I thought it might remind me of my old 185 (that I was â€œohâ€

Paul S · Post by **Paul S** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:52 am

I had the opportunity to deal with Steve when my nephew was shopping around for a new trombone a couple years ago. Steve was low key but went out of his way to offer advice and was fantastic to deal with. We ended up with a great playing horn and super service. I can easily second Dylans comments and recommend Ferguson Music

MikeS · Post by **MikeS** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:31 am

I've only dealt with Steve and Co. by phone but have received terrific service and good advice. Perhaps my favorite purchase from them was a Jeff Reynolds bass trombone mouthpiece. Apparently Jeff tests every one of them and writes his impressions on a card that you receive with the mouthpiece. Mine says, "Dark, but not too dark."

Tubaguy56 · Post by **Tubaguy56** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:36 am

I haven't actually had the chance to deal with Steve yet (although I plan to when I buy my F in the near future) but one of my old teachers was Tony Clements who sold his Low Brass Werks shop to them, and I bought EVERYTHING from him. Very knowledgable, great selection, supposedly its the same deal, so I'd swear by them.

Great post on the horns, very informative.

I'd swear by my Gronitz PCK, I love that thing.

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:34 pm

Unfortunately they didn't have any PCKs in stock, but I sure can't wait to try one!

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:09 am

BGII wrote:PCM might be possibly the best overall tuba I've ever attached my lips to. I tried one at Tony's (Lowbrassworks) several years ago, and just couldn't put it down. Personally, I liked it much more the PCK, but the PCK is a bigger blow. I'm curious to try the 1292 "New Yorker". If I get to LA-LA land, I'll have to stop by Ferguson Music, as well as see Jack Sheldon play at Jax in Glendale. San Jose's loss is LA's gain.

Barry Guerrero

Jack Sheldon is second to none!

I sure do agree with your thoughts on the PCM. It pratically plays itself.

Tubaguy56 · Post by **Tubaguy56** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:17 am

the PCK definitely takes some getting used to, I remember switching to it from my mira 186 and the difference was just drastic. But, similarly to the PCM, it has a low range to die for....

ParLawGod · Post by **ParLawGod** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:09 am

I have bought from Steve Ferguson/Hornguys several times. Each time they were quick to respond to e-mails, offer suggestions, and offer fast shipping of a great product. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Dennis K. · Post by **Dennis K.** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:55 pm

He even gave us these fantastic "Ferguson Music" beer-openers

He gave you his teeth?

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:26 pm

Dennis K. wrote:
He even gave us these fantastic "Ferguson Music" beer-openers
He gave you his teeth?

No, but these teeth work best for that.