mothpiece question

[Ames0325]

Order one from Woodwind Brasswind. YOu can get a UMI Helleburg for 53.95 a very good price. Music stores here in Iowa are few and far between and charge 75-80 bucks for a Helleburg. I have learned its is usually cheaper to order it online especially if you know exactly what you want.

Amy

[Chen]

Dillon Music sells them for $47 (plus shipping), Brasswind sells them for $54 (again, plus shipping). Just to give you an idea. See if your local store can match that, if not, there are new ones on eBay from time to time, too.

[Billy M.]

With your local store probably being more than likely a regular business and not a distributor it's possible they will have a significant markup compared to the very competitive prices online. At both local shops here where I live the price for a good Helleberg or perhaps Schilke models runs the gamut of about $75-$85.

Musiciansfriend.com carries the Helleberg for $44.99 plus shipping. So far that's the least expensive I could find it for a brand new one. You could always check eBay for a used one for less.

Hope this helps.

[TubaTodd82]

I find it hard to believe that everyone is so worried about a few bucks. I work at Cadence Music in Ft. Myers, Fl. We charge $55-60 for the Conn-Helleberg. I don't understand why people are in such a big hurry to buy things off the internet. Why doesn't anyone support small business and buy locally. This is something that really iritates me. When you buy someting from a local store, you are supporting their business, your getting face to face assistance with your problems, and your not buy something you've never seen. Sure, you may save a few bucks by buying it off the internet, but your supporting local businesses if you buy locally. You can also take it home that day, and you don't have to wait for it to get shipped to you. I just don't understand the obsession with saving $2 and buying something off the internet. I can understand if there isn't a store within an hour, but if their is a store close support that business and buy it from them.

[Ames0325]

Well meaning no disrespect to small businesses but the markup on tuba mouthpieces round here is about $25 dollars not $2. If I could find a Helleberg for less than $75 anywhere in the state of IA I would count myself lucky and support local businesses.
Just my $.02

Amy

[Chen]

I agree with you on supporting local music stores. Keeping them around is definitely a good thing for musicians/consumers. However it is to be done within reason.

The local music store that I go to is very good about it, they told me if I can find a better price online they will match it, just print it out and show it to them.

And to be honest, I'd still buy a Conn Helleberg online for $50 (shipped and insured) than spend $55-60 plus tax just to be able to play it the same day.

[Rick Denney]

...I just don't understand the obsession with saving $2 and buying something off the internet. I can understand if there isn't a store within an hour, but if their is a store close support that business and buy it from them.

In my local music store, a UMI Helleberg is $75. That and the Bach 18 are the only two tuba mouthpiece they carry. And, no, you can't try them out at their store first. And there are no returns if you don't like them.

These are the same electric-guitar-tattoed-and-pierced fellows who give me a blank look when I ask for Slide-o-mix, or Hetmans valve oil, or anything else not provided to them by their distributor such that they didn't have to think about it or research what people actually use.

Shoot, they didn't even have a decent selection of round-wounds for my electric bass.

The difference between a retail music store and an online music store is the personal service they provide. If that personal service isn't worth the higher price (and the time it takes to drive to their store), then they aren't worth supporting.

Rick "who might as well buy directly from the Internet if he's going to have to order it anyway" Denney

[Joe Baker]

In addition to the sky-high prices, limited stock, and complete absence of knowledge of low brass instruments at the local shop I've been to, they close at just about the time I get off work. The only way for me to patronize that place is to do it on my lunch hour.

So my choice is:
1. Take my lunch hour, spend $2 in gas round-trip, and HOPE they have whatever it is I want for only twice the internet price; or

2. Go home (1.7 miles) at lunch, put on some nice music, fix myself a sandwich, go online and shop for 10 minutes while I eat, play for a half-hour or so, then go back to work relaxed, fed, and satisfied.

Show me a brick-n-mortar place that's competitive in price, quality and expertise, and that is open when it's convenient for me to go there, and I'll shop there. Otherwise, I'll go online and save time, money, and aggravation every time, whether it's music equipment & supplies or anything else.
__________________________
Joe Baker, who reminds that "The customer is always right."

[Tabor]

A mouthpiece like that should run somewhere from $50 to $65 dollars, unless it is in gold. That is what I'd pay, anyway.