A day at Custom Music
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 5:03 pm
I have been on tour with the Navy Band Great Lakes for the last 6 weeks and found myself in Detroit. I happened to bend a valve stem beyond playability on an outdoor gig. Where is a repair shop in Detroit? Why, Custom Music of course. I was warmly greeted at the door by Jeff Rideout who showed me to back to the show room/repair shop. Their repair person, Kevin Powers, quickly took care of the valve stem and then gave my PT-6PS a once-over and decided that my valves weren't in the best condition, even though the horn is only 4 months old. While he was perfected them, I had a chance to browse the inventory.
I played a PT-6 to compare to my PT-6PS. What a difference. Compared a PT-20 and PT-20P. These two were a lot closer to each other. But after a few CC's I set my sights on an F tuba. I grabbed a PT-15. Nothing special. Put it back. Jeff walked back in and asked if I had played one of the new "Mr. P" models (PT-18S). Definitely a step above the PT-15 that I played. I wanted something to compare it to. I then grabbed a PT-10P (its predecessor) off of the shelf. A complete turd. Went back to the PT-18S. By far the best Piston F tuba that Perantucci has EVER manufactured. I still wasn't sold on anything though. Although the 18S was a very fine horn, I didn't think it was their best. I decided to grab a PT-10S off of the shelf to do a further comparison. I picked the horn up, once I had sat down, and put my hand on the rotary valves. I pressed each paddle down to make sure that the valves didn't need to be oiled. I was blown away. It felt like I was pressing down a trumpet's valves. The weight of each digit was enough to engage the rotor. I've never felt rotors with that easy of action OR that fast of action. The response of the horn matched the valves. I honestly think that this might be the best tuba I've ever played, regardless of what key its in.
PT-18S on the Left, PT-10P on the Right, PT-10S in lap.
It was refreshing to see that PT is still capable of making such wonderful horns. I had a wonderful time playing horns, talking shop with Kevin (repair), and making new friends. I can't believe the dynamic in that place since Fred has gone. Such a delight to spend the afternoon with them!
If you find yourself around Detroit and have an afternoon to spare and/or are in the market for a new horn, stop over at Custom. I'm thankful I did.
I played a PT-6 to compare to my PT-6PS. What a difference. Compared a PT-20 and PT-20P. These two were a lot closer to each other. But after a few CC's I set my sights on an F tuba. I grabbed a PT-15. Nothing special. Put it back. Jeff walked back in and asked if I had played one of the new "Mr. P" models (PT-18S). Definitely a step above the PT-15 that I played. I wanted something to compare it to. I then grabbed a PT-10P (its predecessor) off of the shelf. A complete turd. Went back to the PT-18S. By far the best Piston F tuba that Perantucci has EVER manufactured. I still wasn't sold on anything though. Although the 18S was a very fine horn, I didn't think it was their best. I decided to grab a PT-10S off of the shelf to do a further comparison. I picked the horn up, once I had sat down, and put my hand on the rotary valves. I pressed each paddle down to make sure that the valves didn't need to be oiled. I was blown away. It felt like I was pressing down a trumpet's valves. The weight of each digit was enough to engage the rotor. I've never felt rotors with that easy of action OR that fast of action. The response of the horn matched the valves. I honestly think that this might be the best tuba I've ever played, regardless of what key its in.
PT-18S on the Left, PT-10P on the Right, PT-10S in lap.
It was refreshing to see that PT is still capable of making such wonderful horns. I had a wonderful time playing horns, talking shop with Kevin (repair), and making new friends. I can't believe the dynamic in that place since Fred has gone. Such a delight to spend the afternoon with them!
If you find yourself around Detroit and have an afternoon to spare and/or are in the market for a new horn, stop over at Custom. I'm thankful I did.