Thanks, "Village Tinker"

[padgman1]

In the same vein as the shout-out given to Carl's Pro shop in Bloomington/Normal IL last week, I'd like to share my experience at "the Village Tinker" shop in Newburgh, IN (next to Evansville).

Dan Schultz, the "Tinker", colud not have been more engaging or kind during my visit to his home/"display floor" ( his living room). I am a neophyte, starting the tuba 35 years after my middle school French horn years ( my high school did not have a band) so I could play in a local community band. I had been using a "rediscovered" school horn ( a King 1140) and had been doing OK on it, but was going to have to give it back so an incoming student could use it. I looked online, found Tubenet, and started to "listen" and research possibilities. My "mentor" here ( a 'bone player for the Evansville Philharmonic) had originally suggested looking into used tubas through Dan, and so I travelled to his place last week....

What I found was a treasure trove of instruments...both instruments Dan plays and instruments for sale. I was able to toot several tubas ( Olds 99 3v, King 1241 with new upright bell, Conn 5J, St. Pete 202N, even his Chinese copy of a Miraphone 1291), while he gave me comments on each ( and had a good time talking with my 'bone player who I brought along for moral support - they had never met). I finally decided on the Conn, a nice horn in brass with a nice solid sound but not overpowering. I am having fun so far learning the ins-and-outs of this horn the short time I have had it. He even threw in a "dent bag"!

In short, Dan Schultz is a person to know in the Midwest for excellent refurbished tubas and horns, as well as engaging conversation and honest dealing. Thanks a bunch, "Village Tinker"!!

Now.......the next time I'm in Memphis to watch the Redbirds play, I'll have to look up this 'bloke fellow.........

[HGillespie]

Yep...Dan...THE MAN!

I met him at the Outerbanks Tuba/Trumpet retreat. He was able to direct me toward a fellow at Custom Music who fixed me up with a replacement thumb ring for my Schmidt.

Helen