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The Tyler Junior College band (Tyler Tx) has 5 new Conn 20ks, and 7 VERY old 20k's. The old sousaphones are in very good shape but are VERY in need of getting re-lacquered..He is thinking about just getting the bells buffed and re-lacquered to look brand new, but leaving the sousaphone bodies as is. Anybody know of any shops in the east texas or dallas area that can do this?

the old horns have absolutely NO shine to them, as you can see..

Not sure if Tatum music relacquers but I have always had my repairs done with them..they completely disassembled my 20j and shipped it off for plating..i would recommend them to anyone.

"The Band Room" in Harker Heights is about 2 and half hours south but the do really really good work all over central texas and as far north as Red Oak.

There's a Brook Mays-esque chop shop in Abilene called Caldwell Music. I know that a lot of overhauls get sent to them rather than Dallas. When I was going to school up at OU in Norman, Oklahoma a bunch of the sousas got sent down there for overhauls. It's far from Tyler, but you may be able to get a good deal from them...Here's the number: (325) 677-2471

JB

I would also give Doug's Horn Shop in Texarkana, TX a call. I've seen some of their brass overhauls and I was quite impressed. It was nearly 10 years ago, so I don't know if they are still doing them. Talk to Doug or Jim.

Also, there is a great overhaul shop north of Little Rock. I believe Gary Sage is the one who overhauled our Meinl Weston 25s when I was at the University of Arkansas. He did a masterful job on those pieces of junk. They played like new horns when he finished.

Sage Music Service
205 W North St, Heber Springs, AR 72543
(501) 362-8449

It is about a 6 hour drive from Tyler though, but well worth it.

tubabernie wrote:"The Band Room" in Harker Heights is about 2 and half hours south but the do really really good work all over central texas and as far north as Red Oak.

I have to disagree with this totally. Sorry.

Thanks for your help guys. Would Brook Mays in Dallas do some re-lacquering work? just wondering

Contact McKay Music in Sulphur Springs.

Ed Jones wrote:Contact McKay Music in Sulphur Springs.

How did I forget to mention McKay Music? I second the nomination. James Coffman is tops and he has a great repairman!

Wow never would have thought it would be so complicated to have some sousaphone bells polished and relacquered. Seems like a simple task for a good repairman. :/

I will try McKay Music though. Hopefully they will be able to conquer this task..thanks for the input!

Thank you! we need it done by July. that should be plenty of time

CTAYLOR wrote:Thank you! we need it done by July. that should be plenty of time

Wow.

Though it has been almost a decade, Tatum music used to have a fine repairman on staff. He was virtually unknown to the "pros" but his work was fantastic. You live in Tyler and should know, but if you don't know, check them out (on Front St. as I remember).

I'm not sure Houghton Horns has the facilities to lacquer sousaphones.

Outside of that, McKay's Music in Sulphur Springs is a good place for that kind of work.

Don't waste Eric Swanson's time asking him to work on sousaphones. If you ask him to do 7 sousaphones you'll probably get an earful.

Yes, that should be plenty of time. Atleast they dont have to relacquer the whole sousaphone. I've talked to Ed Strege in Wisconsin. He has a nice re-done 20J on ebay right now. He says he would love to do the bells for you. and they would look like new when done. Contact Jents Music in Lubbock, TX. They will take care of the shipping. Just say you want them sent to Badger State Repair. They will know you and where they are. And that would be much cheaper than driving them up there. Mr. Strege's business phone number is (262) 723-4062. GOOD LUCK!! I want to see how they turn out!

he says this is how they will look

Yes Tatum music does very good work. We had all 7 of them sent to Tatum for servicing. They chemically cleaned them, took out all the dents, patched up all leaks, did a minor valve job on each one so that they dont leak ANY air. They play amazing but they look like crap. They just do spot lacquering now. They wont lacquer a large horn. I will still contact McKay since everyone thinks they can do lacquering. And of course Mr. Strege. Judging by those pics he does very good work.

that makes sense

I don't know anything about these guys. They aren't in Texas, but their price seems right!

http://stores.ebay.com/Borodi-Instruments

Thanks yall. Im still gonna call McKay and Dougs in Texarkana tomorrow. Im still waiting on an estimate from Mr. Strege. But I will also look into Borodi in cleveland since they also do very good work and yes their price seems right.