Minneapolis players--I have a question

[Rita]

Hello Saxophone players in the Mpls-St. Paul area,
Where would you recommend I take my Yamaha YAS-61 alto sax for a good going over? I am just getting back into playing. My sax sat for a number of years unplayed. I think it needs to be adjusted--it also could use a new pad or two.

Any recommendations at all will be deeply appreciated. If you want to e-mail me privately you can at: cybereet@yahoo.com

Thank you so much, Rita

[WisSax]

Rita,
I have used Groth Music in Bloomington. It is located on Nicollet Ave. S. about a block south of Freeway 494.
WisSax

[blow]

My $.02:

Ever since Hern Gadbois died, there is no superior tech in the Mpls area, imo. But I recommend Schmitt Music in Brooklyn Center (the guy who works there, I believe, used to work at the downtown location, and is the best of breed now). I could be wrong.

It's not MN Nice to ask both the Groth person and the Schmitt's tech where they studied, and what experience they have, but it's fair. If you're not satisfied with your grilling, send it out of town.

[max]

I'm glad you're getting some answers here - I'm afriad I pulled a MN nice and followed the "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all..." rule.

[blow]

My $.02:

Ever since Hern Gadbois died, there is no superior tech in the Mpls area, imo.

There IS a guy in St Cloud that seems to know his way around horns, can't remember his name. Call Al's Music, 320-252-8159 and ask for the repair shop.

[max]

Are you thinking of Al Asmus? He's a good guy, and a good tech...

(he's the first call sub for me in one of my bands; if he lived in the cities, he'd probably be in the band instead of me!)

[silversax]

Rita, look for my email.

[blow]

Are you thinking of Al Asmus? He's a good guy, and a good tech...

(he's the first call sub for me in one of my bands; if he lived in the cities, he'd probably be in the band instead of me!)

Yes.

[DC]

Hello all,

Doug Kuehn has been at Davenport Repair at the Schmitt warehouse in Brooklyn Center for 23 years. He is an incredible technician (he did not work downtown...), the nicest human being anyone could hope to deal with, and a fine tenor player as well. Nearly all the local heavies have been going to him for 20+ years, Dave Karr, Brian Grivna, Kenny Holman, Dave Milne, Pete Whitman, Dale Mendenahall, LeAnn Lindgren, Scott Fultz, Brian Gallagher, Ronnie Lowe, Kathy Jensen, etc., (pardon the ommission of anyone else, just running out of room) and now Rousseau is recommending him to his "U" Students as well. Doug has done (literally) any and everything that you could possibly present, custom work, etc. He designed a tenor to fit a kid who lost most of one hand in an accident, a series of rollers/levers, and allowed this kid to reverse hands(!) to be able to play... His pricing is consistently tooooo low. Anyway, he does not need any new customers, but, would welcome any new faces with his usual grace and good humor. Good luck...