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I would like to thank my very good friend Lee Stofer for the awesome restoration of my horn !!!!!!!!!

Six years ago I bought the horn of my dreams, a Factory CC Holton 345 Tuba, silver. The horn was marvelous,however like a classic car of 50 (+) years of age it was in need of an overhaul. The horn had been modified some years back with a 22 " York Bell and Bow in addition the lead pipe had been changed several times, including modification from the owner I bought it from to one that was more comfortable for myself.

After 4 years of solid playing I knew it was time to have the horn overhauled. The 22" bell was not working out for me, I am sure it worked well for others, the Lead pipe mod I performed to the horn was not working out, and I believe the bottom bow was near cracking.

Lee took my horn and completely restored it to its factory condition, Matching Numbers !! Mr Tom Treace (Another Thank you !!!!) provided a silver 345 bell and Lee had the bow. The work performed is meticulous !! Lee found all original parts and put the horn back to the way it would have been !! Lee was so generous in the time he spent away from other projects and most of all his family working on my instrument, I have know him since I was little boy and he has always been a man I have looked up to. Lee worked with me as I bought a new house, was married, and adopted great son to get my instrument finished and back too factory playable condition.

I have talked to Lee steady for over two years, while my horn was away from everything from living a Christian Life to tuba's and though I have known Lee for a long long time I believed I gained way way more than a restoration.

Lee I love my horn !!! I love playing it !! Thank you Sir and thank you for being a mentor and most of all my friend.

Here are two pictures 1st Pre-Restoration 2nd Post-Restoration !

Thank you,

Ronnie A. Tong Jr.

I think this was Dick Barth's old horn.....

Baby got back!

Beeeeeautiful!

Aww, shucks, Ronnie. From the first time I met young Mr. Tong in Virginia Beach some 21 years ago, I was impressed by how courteous and respectful this man was of everyone he met. I am honored to call him a friend.

This instrument was previously owned by Mr. Barth, I am told. Ronnie told me that he simply wanted the instrument to be returned as much as possible to the original Holton 345 CC, and I tried to do that. I did add one extra brace, using original Holton parts, that seemed to make the low Ab and G a little more stable, and I did a lot of interior work to make the bottom bow actually fit the ferrules with no "ledges" or protrusions, just a smooth progression. The only other departure was to fit it with a set of my finger buttons, which are lighter than most and only .040" narrower than Meinl big valve buttons, as the original tiny buttons are long-gone, and these are a better fit than anything else I could find. It truly makes me happy when everything finally comes together and works right!

Awesome! What great fortune to have a real 345 bell to use. I agree, 22 inches is... not for everyone.

Beautiful instrument...

Thank you for the before and after pictures. Yes, this was Dick Barth's horn which he used for at least some of a recording of the Metropolitan Brass Quintet of Cleveland in the late 70s or early 80s before switching bells and selling it to me in 1983. I subsequently used it as my main instrument in the Calgary Philharmonic until 2000. I had added a main slide device to address the flatness of bottom line G. This has now been removed, and I wonder whether Lee's modifications addressed that problem. I was always conscious that the 4rth valve G never centered as well as I would have liked, so it's interesting to hear about it being treated by moving a brace. As to the bell, having started life on a York 3-valve BBb, I always loved the York bell on the Holton. When I consulted the late Bob Rusk, he suggested cutting the bell to 19", but I could never bring myself to do it.

Did you consider adding a 5th valve?

I'm glad to know that the instrument continues to evolve. I think it's beautiful, too.

Michael Eastep
About to be retired from
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra