ROBBED!!! Please advise/keep on the lookout!!

[ginnboonmiller]

Hi, folks. I was pretty active on this board, oh, about ten years ago. My name is Christopher Meeder. And I wanted to get this news out ASAP and see if I could get any help at all.

My tuba was just stolen from a storage space in Annapolis, MD within the last 24 hours. It's a Rudolf Meinl 3/4 CC 5-rotor built around 1979. Stripped of lacquer. Rare for having a bell garland on it. It was, at the time, in need of repair, and in storage while I re-settled in a new city and tried to get the money/repair guy arranged for fixing it. Just a broken solder joint, no big deal.

So a couple questions while this is still brand new, fresh information for me:

1. Would you good people be so kind as to keep an eye out for especially underpriced Rudys? And let me know in this thread so that I can go after this with alacrity and a sense of divine vengeance?

2. Would any of you know what value I can put on the horn for insurance/replacement purposes? I've had this horn for so long with no desire to replace it, and pretty much lost touch with the market.

3. Are there Rudy Meinl dealers in the States anymore? I can't even find one!

4. Do you realize how hard it was to keep my composure while writing this note to a bunch of strangers? This is such a raw feeling, so awful, I'm so angry hurt and feel like less of a person than I did when I woke up this morning!

Obviously, I'll be checking this thread frequently for the next couple days at least. If you have any information you'd like to offer off-list, please let me know and I'll figure out how to get contact info to you.

Thanks!!!

[J.c. Sherman]

Oh my god, Chris - is it you?

That wonderful tuba?!?... holy c___!!!

Everyone keep an eye out for this. The bell wreath makes it unique, as does the stripped finish. It's in great shape!

Meederman, the value of these is all over the place with the fluctuating dollar and the very limited availablity of these horns here in the US. Matt Stoecker (aka quinntheeskimo on ebay) sold one recently for $6,000-$6,500 used. New replacement is very high for these. I would call Brasswind who used to stock them and talk to the tuba guy there, or call Hornguys in LA who - while not dealers themselves, seam to know everyone and be able to get anything.

Everyone - find this man's horn!

J.c.S.

[ginnboonmiller]

While circumstances are weird, it's GREAT to hear from you, J.C.!!

And yes, that's the horn. I love(d) that freaking thing. Thanks for the info - I just want to get some kind of market price written down to show police/insurance people. I suspect even the goofiest junkie will figure out that they can't sell my horn without people noticing, and I should be looking into replacement. But meantime I'm about to call pawn shops and notify them.

Really REALLY sucks that R-M doesn't/didn't believe in serial numbers!!!

[Uncle Buck]

I may be wrong, but I thought Lee Stofer was a Rudy dealer.

http://www.tubameister.com/default.htm" target="_blank

[bort]

Ack, I hate to hear things like this, especially so close to my hometown...

About 10 years ago, Ed Goldstein had his 6/4 Holton stolen in from his van in downtown Baltimore (only an hour or two after a performance at my high school). The story got publicized on the news, and it was soon recovered from a pawn shop where a junkie had sold it off for a small amount of money.

I only hope that the Annapolis police can help you get this back!

[jonesbrass]

Rudy makes some fine horns, indeed. Sorry to hear about your situation. In addition to some leads for finding the replacement value, you might also alert local music stores, repair shops, and scrap metal dealers as well. Hopefully, this combined with police notification will get your horn returned to you. Did your horn have a serial number on it? Lots of horns for the european market didn't, once upon a time. My older 188 didn't.

[ginnboonmiller]

Thanks, all, for the info/support about this!! I'm checking out pawn shops from here in Brooklyn. Meantime, since I've been out of the loop in the DC/Balto/Annapolis area, I'd appreciate any info about dealers around there that I can contact. Thanks so much!

[MikeS]

I hate to even suggest this, but you might also check local scrap metal dealers. A 3/4 Rudy should fetch around $20-30 from a scrap dealer with less haggling and paperwork than at a pawn shop. I pray this is not the case but I wouldn't overlook the possibility.

[Waltski]

Reading about this robbery has me concerned about my own tuba. Can anyone give advice on where one could get an tuba appraisal for insurance purposes? While I know my Amati/Cerveny isn't in the same value range as this Rudolf Meinl, I still would be hard pressed to replace it...

[J.c. Sherman]

Chris,

I sent an email to Rudy Meinl to ask about who sells their instruments in the US. He responded:

"Dear Mr. Sherman, yes we get a dealer over there. The address is as follows.

Lee Stofer Music, Inc.
3583 260th Street
Camanche IA 52730-9658 U.S.A.
Email: tubameister@iowatelecom.net" target="_blank
http://www.tubameister.com" target="_blank

Sincerely
Rudolf Meinl Jr."

J.c.

[Dan Schultz]

I haven't read the foregoing completely so this may have already been mentioned.... My agent (American Family) mentioned to me long ago that my horns would not be covered under my homeowners insurance if I ever play professionally. You need to check this out before assuming that instruments are covered under your current policy. Also, you need to determine exactly what 'replacement cost' means in your policy.

[ginnboonmiller]

Thank you, Doctor Sherman.

I put in an email to Stofer last night, hoping I'll hear from him soon.

Everyone please keep your eyes out - the thieves most likely took off directly towards Route 50 to DC, and this stuff could be ANYWHERE by now. I suspect it's already hacked to pieces and sold as scrap, but please keep an eye out. This was a special horn.

[ginnboonmiller]

Most recent pictures of the horn in question are here:
http://downtownmusic.net/pictures/pictu ... er_Meeder/" target="_blank

[tubajoe]

Here is a photo of exact said horn.

It is a great horn which was stolen from a great player!!

Hopefully this one will return!!

[sailn2ba]

Anyone who takes tubas in trade should have a pretty good idea of market value.

[Stefan]

Hey Chris

I remember you from all state band many years ago. Anyway, I will keep a lookout for it - although I am kinda out of the loop these days.

Stefan

[Rob]

Just a thought with all the Tuba Xmas's coming up....

There could be someone that's either A) not real bright and would steal it and show up there, or B) somehow ends up with it and brings it unknowingly to a Tuba Xmas.

Additionally, perhaps some pictures put upon the registration table at the local Tuba Xmas might help

Good luck,
Rob

[Uncle Buck]

Here is a photo of exact said horn.

Nice horn, and of course I wish you luck in recovering it.

But DAY-UM! What's up with those pants!

[jeopardymaster]

Checking out your photo I note a hook-shaped rod - perhaps connected to the first valve slide? Or third, though I doubt it.

That looks fairly distinctive to me - not typical, right?

Just pointing it out for ID purposes, guys, as you maintain vigilance.

As a side note, does tubenet maintain a "hot sheet"? This isn't the only MIA horn - Fred Marzan's fine old Sovereign E Flat is out there somewhere too.

[bearphonium]

Chris,
I hope you don't mind, but I posted a report of this over on Dave Werden's site. They have a special place for lost/stolen horns, and I thought of you. It is a small community; maybe we can get it back!