My Deepest Thanks to Lee Stofer, the consummate professional

[Billy M.]

A little less than a month ago, I decided I wanted to return to playing music (all details about that may be given in a different post).

So I went through all the different prep work (finances, getting a proper place to practice, etc et al) and then started looking for a horn.

I thought a nice nimble Miraphone 1292 would be an excellent point to jump back into the fray. I had found one and was on the verge of a purchase when suddenly the opportunity didn't present itself. I was unable to get it.

I then decided to start looking to some of the best people in the business when it came to horns. After a little bit of time I decided to call Lee Stofer.

I have a very short history with Lee Stofer having purchased a mouthpiece and mouthpiece pouch from him years ago. It was a very pleasant shopping experience and he was extremely easy to work with.

Getting back to the details, I explained to Mr. Stofer that I had in mind a 4/4-5/4 five-valve CC tuba and had a very strict budget. He told me practically that he had just what I was looking for: a vintage Mirafone 188. The horn has a little history but had also been sitting in storage for some time. He had cleaned it out, vented the first valve and got all the slides and valves working as if they were new. He was even able to get me set up with a tuba rest!

Mr. Stofer was very courteous throughout the whole process and had such great patience with me. It's my first horn purchase and to say I was eager is a mild understatement. I apologized to him about this but his response was something along the lines of "if I were in your shoes, I'd be on pins and needles, too."

Today, I received that horn. I have to take time to tell you that his whole idea regarding shipping a horn when traveling is not an option is brilliant. It was packed very securely in foam (including the bell having foam inside of it), boxed up, palletized, and shrink-wrapped. Beyond my expectations, he wanted that horn to come just as he described it and pictured it. Bort has kindly posted my pictures below to show you what I mean about how serious he is when packing your instrument.

I'm now in possession of this early model Mirafone 188 with gig bag and Stofer-Geib mouthpiece. It is everything I hoped it would be.

Unexpectedly this evening, I received a phone call from Mr. Stofer following up on everything (making sure I had the instrument, telling me a few more details here and there about the horn and his mouthpiece). That was pleasant and gave me a chance to say thank you. Well, here I'm saying it again because I have no doubts about the quality of this man and his workmanship. If you need a horn or work done, I cannot recommend him highly enough: Lee Stofer is one of the best in the business and I will definitely do my business with him in the future.

[bort]

Lee is the man! Post a photo of your cool new horn?

[Billy M.]

I don't know how to do that, sadly.

[Tubajug]

When posting, look toward the bottom of the page (below the "Save draft, Preview, and Submit" buttons) and you'll see a tab on the left side of the screen (next to the "options" tab) that says "Upload attachment." You can use that (clicking on "Choose File"), or simply paste the "image code" from photobucket.com (once you have your photo uploaded to that site) and it will display the image in the post.

If you search the "Feedback" forum, there are "how to's" people have posted there as well. Good luck! I look forward to seeing your horn as well!

[bort]

Here are Billy's pictures of the tuba and its packaging!

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[bort]

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[Billy M.]

Thanks, bort.

I had a grand time getting acquainted with it last night. Very consistent horn from top to bottom (sharp 5th partial, slightly sharp F below the staff and that's pretty much it).

Lee did a fantastic job with this horn. Rotors are fast, smooth, light, and quiet. All slides pull freely. It's everything I wanted it to be and more.

[Jess Haney]

Those 188's are great horns. I am always nerviouse when a horn gets shipped to me. I saw an absolute nightmare happen to a Besson 983 when a friend of mine baught it years ago and the bottom bow was smashed due to mishandeling. Lee did a great job though with the packing it looks like.

[Billy M.]

He said the box was originally used by Kanstul to send him one of their new 5/4 CC tubas. The 188 happened to fit in it just about perfectly so he loaded foam into the bell, packed the tuba in, packed the gig-bag (with its more than sufficient padding) over the top and sealed the box.

It plays mighty fine.

[royjohn]

Not to take anything away from Lee, who is a great repairer and person . . . but I recently shipped a very large and weighty Besson BBb and was able to pack it well with styrofoam boards and cubes which I got from our local recycler. They were very receptive to my coming down the recycling center and picking what I needed. I wrapped the tuba in stryofoam boards and cut up styrofoam coolers and "heels" to fit the bottom bow and the bell. Once the tuba was in the box, I filled in empty areas with styrofoam of various shapes. When necessary I cut the pieces with a large serrated knife. I bought a roll of plastic from U-haul and wrapped the plastic wrap around styrofoam which enclosed the tuba.

Ironically, the tuba I shipped had been shipped to me in styrofoam PEANUTS . . . after the tuba shifted in the peanuts and the box was thrown by UPS I ended up with a creased bell. And the tuba had been shipped to me from the repairman who I had it shipped to directly after I won an ebay auction!

After being thoroughly mummified, the tuba was shipped from Knoxville, TN to Massachusetts via Greyhound and arrived unscathed. I hope some of these tips will help someone ship without damage. I hope you can find a recycler in your area that has foam.

[royjohn]

Bloke wrote:

When moving a tuba across the USA, its always the best bet to drive it there yourself.

Oh, absolutely agreed! I just couldn't take the time or spend $280 in gas plus a motel room for the night to drive it.
Greyhound + Styrofoam packing was the next best alternative.

When I bought a replacement, I drove 5 hours to try it and cart it back with me. I hope I've shipped my last tuba, but you never know what will happen. It doesn't make sense to spend $350 to take an $800 tuba to its new owner, now, does it If I've missed something, please enlighten me.