In the Midwest, Where's a good place to go and try tubas?

[Boomerbryce]

I was about to leave on a trip to try out tubas at the Woodwind and Brasswind yesterday. I called them before I left and found out they closed 3 weeks ago.

I am looking to buy a tuba. I have been a tuba player since I was 10 and have never owned my own horn without severe dents, shattered bells or missing valves. The next closest place is Jim Laabs music that I know (5 hours), but there seems to be mixed reviews on them. I am 3 hours from either Chicago or St. Louis. Local music stores will get in tubas, but I have to buy them and if I return, a shipping fee is applied ($600)

I guess the question is Where can I go and try out 5-6 tubas to see the one's I really want?

Any suggestions?

Boomerbryce

[Ken Herrick]

Midwest National Band Clinic in Chicago is coming up in December. There should be a reasonable number of makers exhibiting so you could try several different makes and models.

It could also pay to contact Lee Stofer who has some nice new and used tubas on hand, including the new Kanstul range. Dan Schultz over in Indiana would also be worth contacting. Lee is tubameister and Dan is tubatinker in the sponsors above.

Where are you located? Sounds pretty close to where I will be visiting in 4 weeks time. PM or email me if you like.

[Boomerbryce]

I am in Danvers IL - A small community between Peoria and Bloomington/Normal IL

[Ken Herrick]

see your personal message inbox.

[Michael Grant]

The Midwest is a big place (especially when you consider that the Midwest is neither but that is another topic). There is Custom Music in Ferndale, Michigan (near Detroit). They have a mess load of tubas. Of course, it helps if you want a B&S or a Hirsbrunner. The last time I was there they had a lot of Rudy's and used horns as well. I don't know that they have in stock now. There is also a place in Bloomington. I've never been there but found them when searching online once. Here is their description of their store:

Located across the street from the world-renowned Indiana University School of Music, Pro Winds is one of the country's premier music stores. As our name implies, Pro Winds has made a special commitment to provide professional service to musicians of all ages. Unlike many of our competitors, Pro Winds specializes ONLY in Woodwind and Brass instruments. Along with our top service, we are proud to offer some of lowest prices in the music industry. We look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Pro Winds was founded in 1994 by husband and wife team Dean and Leichen Foster. Leichen had just completed eight years at the Indiana University School of Music. She graduated with honors while obtaining advanced degrees in Saxophone and Bassoon Performance. Dean had just completed his Marketing degree from the Indiana University School of Business. After conducting a one-year test market while still in school, it was determined that entry into music products retail was the perfect fit for the young couple. An ideal location was obtained across the street from the world-renowned Indiana University School of Music and Pro Winds was born.

Today, Pro Winds is proud to be one of the industry leaders in the sales of woodwind and brass instruments. Pro Winds remains to be very specialized and prides itself in providing the highest level of products and customer service in the industry.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Dean Foster, President/CEO at dfoster@prowinds.com" target="_blank We appreciate your feedback!


Pro Winds, Inc.
1400 E. 3rd Street
Bloomington, IN 47401

Telephone: 812-333-2095
Toll-Free: 800-789-8509
Fax: 812-333-2729

Showroom Hours:
Mon - Fri: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

According to their website, they have many different brands of BBb, CC, F & Eb tubas. I don't know if those are in stock though.

Good luck!

[Alex F]

Don't forget to check out Carl's Pro Band in Bloomington, Illinois. I would also suggest contacting Lee Stofer in Comanche, Iowa.

The truth is, though, that there are very few tuba "emporiums" in the US. The major meccas are Custom (see above), Dillon Music (NJ), Baltimore Brass (take a guess), and the Hornguys (CA). Other shops may have a few here and there (mostly there). As compared to flutes, trumpets, and saxes, few tubas are sold and the cost to a merchant of buying and keeping one around in the hope someone will buy it is often not worth it.

You can expect to do some traveling. Or, as Ken suggests, take advantage of a major music conference like Midwest (coming up in December).

[swillafew]

I have lived in the midwest all my life, in different parts.
If you want to compare one horn to another, a lot of driving is involved. I bought my first horn taking the Greyhound Bus from Minneapolis to the Wichita Band Instrument Company, just to compare Yamahas.
Second one came mail order (used) from the Tuba Exchange. The purchase was pre-internet, and came from meeting the owner at the convention in Chicago.
The last one (recent) I drove from IL to Custom Music in Ferndale, MI. My experience playing a B&S in school biased me towards shopping there.
This forum is quite a hotbed for the used market, if you are patient you'll see many horns listed. The repair people especially seem to select better instruments and market them fairly, too.

[Levaix]

Midwest Clinic is the way to go. You'll be able to try every horn you could possibly think of, as well as most mouthpieces.

What key are you looking to get? BBb?

Ps. I might as well put in my regular plug for the old German stencils, seeing as there's a nice one on ebay right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-S-stencil-tub ... 0531425409" target="_blank

[rperrym]

Another great place to go is Taylor Music in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Family owned and a great place to try out horns and have them worked on as well.
Rick

[Bob Kolada]

Midwest Clinic for sure! Let me know if you need a place to crash.