A visit to the Tubameister
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:10 pm
One of my musician friends and I took a road trip earlier this week, driving from Chicago, "into the corn", accross the Big Muddy, and down a long, partially unpaved country road to the home of The Tubameister, Lee Stofer, in Camanche, Iowa.
Beyond the family homestead, one finds the modern barn which serves as the Tubamester's shop. Lee welcomed us at the front door and promptly gave us a tour of the place. The main area consists of three rooms and shower/toilet facilities. A part of the barn is a garage and there is a second floor loft which is kept under lock and key (York No. 3 ?????). In the main part of the shop, one enters the main workshop with benches, tools, and many instruments. This leads into the tuba "swimming pool" consisting of two large tanks that you prbably would not want to take a dip in. Beyond that is the tuba "massage parlor", where tubas appear in the buff (so to speak). All about, there are tubas,tuba parts, tuba bells, souzys, and, eegads, some saxophones.
Lee was most generous with his time and knowledge, showing us several of his projects and giving his opinions regarding the state of the tuba and musical instrument world. This was despite the fact that he was swamped with work. We also had a chance to meet his wife, Debbie, and one of the daughters, and to share a meal together.
I would highly recommend a visit out to Lee's for anyone interested in tubas, brass instruments, or the work that goes into keeping them playable. Of course, just as we did, you might want to call him first.
Oh, by the way, I came home with another tuba - a Conn 10j, discussed here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24665" target="_blank
Beyond the family homestead, one finds the modern barn which serves as the Tubamester's shop. Lee welcomed us at the front door and promptly gave us a tour of the place. The main area consists of three rooms and shower/toilet facilities. A part of the barn is a garage and there is a second floor loft which is kept under lock and key (York No. 3 ?????). In the main part of the shop, one enters the main workshop with benches, tools, and many instruments. This leads into the tuba "swimming pool" consisting of two large tanks that you prbably would not want to take a dip in. Beyond that is the tuba "massage parlor", where tubas appear in the buff (so to speak). All about, there are tubas,tuba parts, tuba bells, souzys, and, eegads, some saxophones.
Lee was most generous with his time and knowledge, showing us several of his projects and giving his opinions regarding the state of the tuba and musical instrument world. This was despite the fact that he was swamped with work. We also had a chance to meet his wife, Debbie, and one of the daughters, and to share a meal together.
I would highly recommend a visit out to Lee's for anyone interested in tubas, brass instruments, or the work that goes into keeping them playable. Of course, just as we did, you might want to call him first.
Oh, by the way, I came home with another tuba - a Conn 10j, discussed here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24665" target="_blank