Custom Music Trip

[TonyZ]

Hi all,

I spent the morning yesterday at Custom because school is out, and I'm shopping for a new Eb tuba. I spent about 1 1/2 hours with the PT-22P. It is a fine instrument and I enjoyed it immediately more than my Willson 3400. Now, that may have been "New Horn" syndrome, but it really is a fine instrument. If any of you are looking, I highly recommend that you try it. I also played the relatively new PT-605 BBb tuba. Another fine horn with the old "Bohemian" Cerveny-looking wrap. Great intonation and a beautiful sound. I also played the Yorkbrunner because it was there. Buttery sweet, shook the room when I wanted, but always in a nice way. It didn't play itself, but then how much fun would that be? The most important thing about Custom is that it is staffed with tubists. Everyone was courteous, kind, and genuinely interested in what I wanted. Most certainly, they are trying to sell horns, but the y are very forthright in their approach. I had a nice long conversation with fred, the President, and he is a fine chap. Go shopping there -- it's like a candy store staffed by choc-o-holics!!

Cheers!

[Steve Marcus]

I will be trying F and Eb tubas at Custom on Monday. Thanks for the suggestion to play the PT-22P, Tony.

Elsewhere on TubeNet, there was an inquiry about the B&S "Vulcano" F tuba. Neal advises that CMC carries the rotory version of that horn, which is the PT-17. What has anyone's experience been with this model compared to the PT-15, PT-10, and other F tubas?

I also played the Yorkbrunner because it was there. Buttery sweet, shook the room when I wanted, but always in a nice way. It didn't play itself, but then how much fun would that be?

Although I'm not currently in the market for a 6/4 or 5/4 CC tuba, I am curious about this:

With the PT-6 and Yorkbrunners so popular, why do so few tubists play and own PT-7s?

[quinterbourne]

Have you tried the PT-7? I did, I tried a couple of them at Custom Music against a couple of PT6 tubas. I thought the PT6 was one heck of a large of a tuba... man, the PT7 is HUGE!

I found the PT6 to have very clear attacks, while the PT7 was very, very "wuffy." I just did not like it at all. I can't imagine any professional orchestral player needing any "more tuba" than the PT6 provides.

I do see many people getting the VMI Neptune 6/4 instead. It appears to be quite a fine tuba, with a much more reasonable price tag compared to the PT7.

[threedognate]

What are they asking for the PT-22P?

[TonyZ]

What are they asking for the PT-22P?

The prices are about to go up, so I'd call Neal or Jeff to get the current price.

[clagar777]

I think that they are going up about $500 on every horn.

[Steve Marcus]

My experience at Custom Music on Monday was very positive. I had advised Neal and Jeff in advance that I was coming and which horns I was interested in trying. When I arrived, they had set out a PT-9, PT-10, PT-10P, PT-15, PT-16, PT-17, PT-22P Eb, HB-10, and HB-12. They invited me to have at it and provided a strobe for checking intonation. They were totally unphased that I brought into the store (really, just a warehouse, but sufficient for these purposes) a different model tuba that I have also been considering for purchase so that I could do direct A/B comparison.

I spent approximately 3 hours there playing each horn with my wife listening and making notes about each one. Neal and Jeff checked in occasionally, but never hovered or "breathed down my neck." They were available if I had a question, but otherwise they left me to my own devices.

As I was leaving, Jeff presented a "trial close" and suggested that I put a refundable deposit on one of the horns. Being in retail myself, I would have been surprised and even a little disappointed if he hadn't even tried to close me. But it was done in a professional manner without "twisting my arm." I might have purchased a horn there and then, but,

1. My wife and I had much discussion to do about our impressions of the horns first;

2. The top 3 choices included the horn that I brought with me, which Custom does not handle;

3. I would have had to spend a lot more time with the strobe and sound level meter examining individual specimens of the model that I preferred before I made a commitment to purchase. But I didn't have that time because my wife and I both had rehearsals that evening in the Chicago area--6 hours drive time with all the construction on I-94 (I went south and took the Indiana Toll Road instead).

Bottom line: If this is typical of the manner in which Custom Music conducts its business with everyone, anyone interested in a tuba purchase should give this retailer serious consideration.

[Onebaplayer]

This is definitely a typical experience at Custom. When I went just a few weeks ago to buy a PT-6 they also offered me the refundable deposit (prior to me flying out there) so that I could lock the price of the horns at that time. Since I did that I was able to save the money the increase would have cost for the plane tickets. When I was there they already had all of the PT-6's out for me to play and then they left me alone. I really appreciated that as I have dealt with too many of the type that "breathe down your neck" I also needed some extra parts and they were very helpful with helping me figure out what I needed. One of their repair guys talked to me for a while about one of the particular additions I need, which needs to be hand built. Considering how stressful flying across the country for a 3 hour trip to Custom was, being there was just like being in a candy store, where the guy behind the counter just wants you to have what tastes best to you.

[smurphius]

They're definately good with helping you out on instruments at Custom. I would have to say that their 22P Eb was my favorite instrument behind their PT-6P. Over all the F's, CC's, BB's (Perantucci AND Hirsbrunner) those two instruments were my favorites! Of course, they cost the price of small organs, (as in the internal kind, not the pipe kind) but I suppose it is worth the investment in the long run.