economical overhaul

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

I spent some time working on a page for the web site today, thought it was an interesting project but not real earth shaking. I just figured it would be good to show that there is another option for some instruments that looks good without costing an arm and a leg (relatively speaking ). Feel free to share your thoughts.

http://www.oberloh.com/silvermirafoneeconojob.htm




Daniel C. Oberloh
www.oberloh.com

Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
Saving the world, one horn at a time...

[Billy M.]

Nice work there, Mr. Oberloh!

[Kevin Hendrick]

Thanks, Dan -- that's a much-improved-looking horn! Good to know we have that option.

[tubarepair]

Dan -

Nice job on the work and your comments regarding repairing over replacement are right on the money. Perhaps you should turn those web pages into a flyer and send them out to the area music supervisors. Maybe it would have some impact.

DLH

[jacobg]

So what would be the difference between this and a complete overhaul for the same horn?

[Uncle Buck]

That is a very good site with excellent recommendations. I wish more band directors and parents would follow that advice.

After I read it, though, I did find myself curious about how the Mirafone job was different from a full restoration. What would you have done on a full restoration that wasn't done on the Mirafone?

Edit:
OK, after posting that response, I found the information I was looking for at
http://www.oberloh.com/sales/sales.htm

If you're soliciting suggestions for your website, that page took me a little time to find. I had to click on "Sales", which wouldn't be the most obvious place to click from the home page for repair information. Maybe a "Repairs" link on the main page would be helpful.

[Normal]

Dan,
I agree with your point about fixing up some of the older, still usable tubas, and that the cost of repairing might be more resonable in the long run than the "school tubas" being sold now. My experience is there are not enough people with the skills and desire you have to work on these old tubas, and that there may not be enough of you to go around (although I've never asked).

Let me throw out something to see if it gets flamed or even responded too. Is there enough long-term money in a business that combines the repair skills of a master repair person like Dan working with lesser skilled repair people coupled with skilled sales people who can pick up and deliver instruments for reconditioning? Is now the time to start a business like this considering the rising cost of new tubas? Can you overcome local politics between schools and their support businesses?

Great website Dan. Good work on the presentation.

[Dan Schultz]

I am a firm beleiver in 'economy' overhauls. Most of the horns that come through my shop are dealt with on the order of 'less than restored'. It certainly saves the customer a lot of money. Crushed bells are the most prominent type of damage and are usually some of the easiest types of damage to fix.

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

sorry for my delay in responding to the thred.

Is there enough long-term money in a business that combines the repair skills of a master repair person like Dan working with lesser skilled repair people coupled with skilled sales people who can pick up and deliver instruments for reconditioning? Is now the time to start a business like this considering the rising cost of new tubas? Can you overcome local politics between schools and their support businesses?

Starting such an operation could probably be a very good business move. BUT and that is a serious but. With the shortage of skilled technicians, there is going to be a problem getting people who can get the actual work done. The tools and parts can sit on the bench for a very long time and I can tell you without any doubt that not one horn will get repaired until a craftsperson who has the ability to make the needed repairs puts those tools to use. Where do you find such skilled persons? There is money in it. I have been repairing and rebuilding band instruments as a full time job for quite a while and still manage to pay the bills. Lesser skilled repair people? Yeah (shrug) they can be of use but good skills and an ability to think and learn are better and more useful. In my experience, when it comes to work in the shop, sales people just get in the way, cost money and are of little help getting the actual repair work done. Much of the big work I do comes from out of state via USPS, UPS or FedEx so pick up and deliver is not much of an issue. The work exists and there is a demand so it is not a lot of effort to find paying clients. I do some repair work for schools now and then but it is not in any substantial quantity. Most of the work I do is privet and military. I also do a fair amount for other shops, collectors and dealers/brokers. there is also the horns I purchase to be repaired and resold. There is a good deal of school work to be done but when so many schools are willing to accept the lowest grad of work just because it is really cheap and there are shops that are willing to deliver the most horrible poor quality work, it is silly for me to even consider trying to compete in such a market. The type of work I show on the page is still outside the ability of the majority of repair shops but it can be learned and with the addition of some tooling can be reasonably profitable. Granted, it is still labor intensive and does not pay as well as general repair and maintenance but when a shop is suffering from a lack of work, it is good to have something to keep the income flowing during there slow season.


just a few late night thoughts.

Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
www.oberloh.com

[punk_tuba]

restoration looked great

only complaint is that the presentation makes it look SO easy

[Mark]

Your website ranks among my highest in the wow factor. You truly embody an artisan, and I absolutely love looking at the resto's you do.

I'm fortunate to be only a 45-minute drive from Dan's shop. The web site only shows a small fraction of the incredible work Dan does there.