Reputable Repair Person Needed - Road Trip?

[Gongadin]

I have an old warrior H. N. White Symphony Model bass that's in need of some dedenting. I don't need a frame-off immaculate restoration a la Oberloh's beautiful works of art. I need the tuba disassembled and the dents removed. I don't want it plated, and probably not even polished or spot lacquered! I might get the rotary valve spatulas and the german silver accents replated (Anderson's?), but I'm sorta growing attached to the scarred and battle-worn "look" of the been-through-the-school-system brass.
I need someone experienced and skilled who is reputable and won't work-harden the brass and is preferably within a not-too-far driving distance from Toronto, Canada. I'd really rather not ship this beast, unless absolutely necessary! Interesting road trips might be doable, though.
My usual repairman, Ron Partch, is presently unable to do this work. He recommended John Wilson, but John works for a large school-band fixing conglomerate, and they're severly backed up with school band instruments.
Ron's going to think about who his second choice would be over the weekend, but I thought I'd put the question to you fine TubeNetters in the meantime.
I don't really want to just phone around the city and gamble on anyone who says they can do this work, so I thought I'd ask the good folks of TubeNet for repair person recommendations.
I'm not necessarily looking for repair people that reside in Ontario, Canada, although it would be handy. Suggestions regarding U.S. based repair people are welcomed, and all constructive comments are appreciated.

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[eupher61]

That's really not a major looking job to my non-repair-geek eyes. Most of it could be done with a dent magnet thing, I'd think, although you may want a more thorough job done...the cost is at least double in my experience. That's a beauty!!

[Gongadin]

Thanks! I think so, too. I'd like to have the instrument disassembled not only to have a more thorough de-denting job done, but also so that I can send the silver accents / spatulas to be replated if I choose to do so.

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

You are not planning to have it completely restored and that is fine but even the type of work you are looking for should be done to a high standard. You are probably going to need to put the horn on a bus and ship it to one of the small hand-full of Techs in the US that have the skills, experience and facilities to deal with the big stuff (if you want the job done properly). I (like you) am not interested in overhauling/restoring it but I would consider performing the work you are looking to have done. You should first check with Joe and maybe Lee (if he is up and running, his site is a tad out of date) as they are closer and may have the time and interest. I don't trust any of the big production shops with this kind of horn, not one. Remember, once its screwed up, bringing it back can be pretty damn difficult ( $$ and costly $$). Be careful who you trust with your old "classic". Best of luck.

Oh yeah, the silver levers are nickel-silver. They are solid and will only need to be cleaned, polished and lacquered. no plating is needed.

Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

[JB]

I need someone experienced and skilled who is reputable and won't work-harden the brass and is preferably within a not-too-far driving distance from Toronto, Canada. I'd really rather not ship this beast, unless absolutely necessary! Interesting road trips might be doable, though.
My usual repairman, Ron Partch, is presently unable to do this work. He recommended John Wilson, but John works for a large school-band fixing conglomerate, and they're severly backed up with school band instruments.

Seeing that you are in Canada, the person I would recommend (without any reservation whatsoever) is a gentleman by the name of Michel Batalon.

He has done a wide variety of work on my horns over a 25+ years any time I find myself in Montreal. In fact, I know that Dennis Miller and Alain Cazes (plus their students) use him pretty much exclusively. Definitely one of the elite instrument people in Canada, and certainly the same quality as Ron Parch. Knowing both, I would send to either, with Mr Parch as my choice if Mr Bathalon were not available.

Not too long a drive from TO, plus a great city to hang in for a day or so!

Here is his contact info:

http://www.boutiquedumusicien.com/michelb.html

L'atelier et la Boutique du Musicien
1427 rue Amherst
Montréal, Qc
H2L 3L2
Tél: (514) 526-5656
Fax: (514) 526-7348

Hoping this helps.

Cheers
JB

PS He does speak English in addition to his native French.

[Gongadin]

Thanks so much for the suggestions -
Dan, check your PMs!
JB, thanks so much for the Michel Batalon suggestion - I will check him out. It just so happens that we're in Montreal every long weekend and every chance we get - my wife is from there! I also must confess a weakness for almost anything made by Unibroue.

[JB]

Thanks so much for the suggestions -
Dan, check your PMs!
JB, thanks so much for the Michel Batalon suggestion - I will check him out. It just so happens that we're in Montreal every long weekend and every chance we get - my wife is from there! I also must confess a weakness for almost anything made by Unibroue.

Ah, Unibroue – now you’ve proven you have good taste (and that in spite of being from Upper Canada!). Yes, fine – very fine – craft beers.








You can tell by my choices that I know their older brews and have long been loyal to them when in “la belle province;” but with your post, I did some ‘updating’ and see there are a number of more recent additions that I simply must try on my next visit this summer.

Salut.

Best of luck with getting your horn in to Michel – he is truly a first-rate specialist and gentleman.

Cheers
JB

PS Who knows, after a few (!!)of the above, maybe some steamies, poutine, latkas, and a visit to Schwartz's would be in order!

[jon112780]

If you are coming down to/thru Michigan, I would recommend both Chris Roush (Lansing), and Kevin Powers (Detroit). Kevin splits his time between CMC and his own shop next to his house. Chris, however is my go-to-guy, since I'm in the Lansing area. In fact, two days ago I managed to jam my main slide in my 983 Eb and he easily fixed it. A couple months ago, he vented my 1st valve and did a couple other things in the years prior, and I've always been extremely satisfied; not only with his work, but with his flexibility on 'instrument emergencies'. I think he has a soft spot for Eb tubas... He's also a Tennessee Tech grad and plays in the Capital City Brass Band.

[Gongadin]

Thanks, jonmanynumbers! Not to sound like an incurable beer swiller or anything, but one of my favorite things to do in East Lansing is to visit the Traveler's Club Restaurant / Tuba Museum! The food there is excellent, and they brew their own craft beer! All the beer has tuba-related names! A TubeNetter's Heaven in Michigan.

[jon112780]

Yep, the Traveler's Clup has lots of foods of 'various nature', as well as the beer. There is an apartment above the restaurant that one of the upright bassists here @MSU has been renting for more than a couple years (I want it ). Also, the owner of the Traveler's Club owns White Bros. Music, which is right next to it.

PM me if you're going to be in town, I haven't been there in awhile and it's always nice to meet fellow TubeNetters.

[pierso20]

Well shoot, what about me?? I'm in town...

[jon112780]

Hey it's either ultimate frisbee or the Traveler's Club...

There can be only one


Mmmmmm, beer...