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I would like to play test a "Mel Culbertson-Neptune" without traveling a great distance. I've heard rave reviews of the instrument and I would like to see if it is a good fit for me. Are there any stores that carry this model within three hours of Texarkana, TX...Dallas, Little Rock, Alexandria, LA? I see that Brasswind has a used piston horn on sale for $5,599.00. If you own one and you live in my vacinity, I would love the opportunity to try yours.

Lee Hipp in the San Antonio symphony has one. You should get a lesson and give it a blow.

Other than the big tuba retailers,as listed in the shops section of this site,you won't be finding any music stores with a Neptune in stock.It's just not cost effective to keep such and expensive,specialty instrument in stock at most retailers.Every day an expensive instrument sits in a store is money lost in interest or lost time/value of money.Most music stores can,however, order non-PT VMI products now.Your best bet is to find some folks in your area(Lee Hipp) who has one or go to the big tuba stores.Another option is to have one sent to you for playtest.You have to pay shipping both ways,but if you're anything like me, you won't send it back.I have a hard time sending back a new friend