TubeNet

I just returned last evening from the picturesque rural Camanche, IA digs of Stofer Music where Lee kindly and expertly serviced both of the tubas you see in my avatar, a Rudy Meinl Bayreuth BBb and a Miraphone 191 5b BBb. Lee and his family are wonderful people with whom it's always a pleasure doing business, which actually seemed more like a late Spring visit to the old family farm. I got to play the fantastic Kanstul 33B, the 5 valve midget monster (at least compared to my tubas) that people are so high on. It's a wonderful horn that will probably find its way into my stable someday.

As usual Lee was kind enough to let me watch him work and ask questions about the process. His answers are always graced with patience, good humor, and keen intelligence. He freely shared glimpses into his past, present, and future tuba projects, some of which will, I think, amaze us all. I may have gleaned more information from that 7 hour visit than I could have from reading a year's worth of TubeNet posts, and I consider TubeNet an invaluable resource.

Best of all, my tubas now gleam beautifully while they play better than they ever have. I only wish my playing could do them justice.

Thanks Lee!

Atlanta's loss is your gain. I do miss my visits to Lee's shop.

Totally agree w both above posts! Good memories at lee's Atlanta shop...

It's good that you were able to get Lee to open up and chat for a bit.

Did you get to try any cool tubas while you were there?

I visited Lee via phone. He was very helpful and I ended up purchasing a Kanstul 66T. He shipped it to me the next day in perfect condition. (We figured it out that shipping was cheaper than driving). He sent two mouthpieces for me to test and select. He went through the horn before it left his shop and so everything was right. Happiness is a new tuba and great service.

Jerry, I just beat you by a day as I was there getting mine "tuned up" My wife and I were planning leave on vacation the next day so I had to get back tuesday night. I got to toot a little on the 33S as well(not as long as I would have liked) The sound was incredible and it just fit my hand like a glove. It has me thinking seriously about selling my PT-1 and getting one of those. It is so easy to move around compared to the beast I have now. Thanks Lee!

Gary, the truly strange part is that I think I was there the day before you in January, 2008, the 2nd. There was a foot of snow on the ground at Lee's, and I left Lincoln with a temp of -4°F on a crystal clear night. I decided then that I wanted to experience Stofer Music's charms during warmer weather. Lee mentioned having seen you just the day before this visit, and in Jan '08 he mentioned that someone was coming from the Lincoln area the next day. Odd how such things occur.

Jerry, as there would have been two Bayreuth's in the room at the same time, how was there room for anything or anybody else? That one that Lee had is a beast!