Montreal area: Musique de Marc

[rispoli]

I highly recommend this repair shop to anyone in the Montreal area.
The owner, Marc Jean, is in my (and not just mine) opinion BY FAR the best woodwind repairman around, he simply has no competition in terms of skills (and courtesy too).

I regret having discovered him so late and hence I wanted to recommend him to anyone living nearby Montreal. After I saw how he works (he did wonders to my 10M, Aristocrat and Martin tenors: all immensely improved), I surely won't even consider going anywhere else. I stated more than once in this forum that Montreal did not have a decent repair shop: that was before I discovered him.

Address is: Musique de Marc, 1176 St-Laurent Ouest suite 200, Longueuil, QC.

Phone: 450 674-8420

[saxobari]

I would also highly recommend Music De Marc to anyone too,,,actually I did told Rispoli about him,and that he should give this guy a try .For me too,he's the best tech I have had known around here .He is my tech from now on for sure.
He used to work for a welknown music place in Montreal,but now he's working for himself,and has a small shop.....and will probable become bigger with time,I am sure of that..........
All the best ,
Saxobari

[sargebaker]

Have you guys tried Pascal Veraquin?

[kcp]

I've heard very good things about Musique de Marc but I've never got around to check the placeout yet.

The problem is, it's in Longueuil (no offence to Longueuillois I hope) I think its a shame that the place is not on the island of Montreal. Ironically, I think the place might actually be closer to my place (I'm right next to Jacques Cartier bridge) but for me, since I don't have a car, it's a lot less hassle to walk downtown Montréal than cross the bridge by foot (nobody like crossing that bridge, even by car it's a pain in the butt)

[Bossman]

Pascal Veraquin has always been real nice to me, although I never had any real big problems with my horns. He also did an amazing cleaning on my old (now stolen) Sankyo flute.

Twigg is alright, but it takes a while and sometimes they can be less than courteous. I did go there once a couple hours before a gig because someone knocked over my alto and there was something fishy, and I got them to do it on the spot, that was nice.

[Bunny Stewart]

I took my horn once to Marc when he was still at the store and my regular repairman was too busy to deal with an emergency. He was very courteous and did a great job. I didn't know he had opened his own shop. Good for him.

I've been taking my horns to Pascal's old apprentice Craig Dionne. He does a great job and always goes the extra mile too.

[sargebaker]

I' been doing my dealings with Boutique(Atelier) du Musicien. I've been pretty pleased so far with their service.

I'm toying with the idea of having a remoavble Low C extension added to my bass clarinet maybe by the summer or something... I wonder if any of these guys would be up to the challenge.

re: de Marc being in Longueuil I find it nice and fresh to see a respected quality tech on the South Shore. I've always wanted more quality music goods & services on the shore (I'm from Brossard)... ironically it'S easier for me to go downtown Montreal though.

[rispoli]

I've heard very good things about Musique de Marc but I've never got around to check the placeout yet.

The problem is, it's in Longueuil (no offence to Longueuillois I hope) I think its a shame that the place is not on the island of Montreal. Ironically, I think the place might actually be closer to my place (I'm right next to Jacques Cartier bridge) but for me, since I don't have a car, it's a lot less hassle to walk downtown Montréal than cross the bridge by foot (nobody like crossing that bridge, even by car it's a pain in the butt)


Musique de Marc it's actually more convenient than it seems: it's barely 10 mins. walking distance from Longueuil metro station. I also have no car (life choice!) and find easy to get there. It's actually faster FOR ME to get there than to reach Pascal Veraquin with public transport. He's good too, I think, he made me a repair 3 years ago, but much more expensive than Marc (as expensive as Atelier du Musicien, but much better attitude than those) and, besides that, I personally think Marc remains the best in town and likely one of the best in Canada.
His web site is under construction and when ready he'll start also selling online.

[sargebaker]

Does Marc sell instruments and accessories as well or just do repairs and builds?

[rispoli]

Does Marc sell instruments and accessories as well or just do repairs and builds?

Also sells, but currently not much choice. He can procure lot of brands I think.

[kcp]

It depends I guess of where we live.For me Longeuil métro is closer (geographically speaking) but to get there by metro would take me longer than walk downtown... plus walking for 10 minutes in Longeuil feels like walking on the Trans-Canada highway :shock: but hey, I'm a hardened/inveterate/die-hard montrealer... Maybe I'll go check the place out in the summer when I'm up for extreme sports ;) I've been a regular customer at Atelier du Musicien for many years. I never had problems with them, I always was satisfied of their work and service. I don't understand why some people say that they've got a bad attitude - Different people, different needs and different experiences I guess :|

About de Marc, like sarge says, I think that it's a good thing they have a respected quality tech on the South Shore. It must bring a different kind of crowd. I know quite a few people on the south shore, amateurs, late bloomer or part time players mostly but these people are often the ones with the best horns and/or interesting vintage. Good for them and good for de Marc :) I would suspect that the service is probably faster in part for there probably aren't as many loadss of school horn repairs to do.

[sargebaker]

Kim who do you deal with at Atelier? I've dealt pretty much exclusively with JF and he's been fantastic with answering all my annoying newbie questions and such. It's a shame though that their prices can't compete with online retailers such as wwbw.com... I don't mind on things like a box of reeds or Chop Saver (Yeah I use the stuff! lol) etc. but there was almost a 50$ difference in mpc prices :( I used to work in a music store so I know how it is trying to compete with the interweb, it sucks.

[kcp]

Kim who do you deal with at Atelier?

With Yvon and more recently with the other guy there... darn, I keep forgetting his name (I think it's Pierre??) he's got a beard, dark hair, he's been working at Attelier for a long time - Anyway he has done quite a few quick, and on the spot emergency repairs on one of my horn when Yvon wasn't there or was unavailable - I like him, he's really good.

[saxobari]

Allo Kim,Rispoli,and Sarge
I have tried all the different techs in Montreal,and now I go from here Hawkesbury to Longueuil to see Marc de Music,,takes me at least an houre and 15 minutes about to get there!
So for your Montreal people it is at your door`s step!
I wish sometimes I would be closer!
My experience with Montreal store are very different from one to another!
Though MArc De Music for me is always pleasant,and always most important very happy when I walk out of his shop! Treu he does`nt have many horns for sale,,but for repairs,,he is so great!
Right now trying to trade my bari,and he`s helping me with that too!
He`s a great guy!
All my regards
Saxobari from Hawkesbury Ontario

[saxguitar]

I am new to the sax, having only taken it up in the last few moths. I have had the opportunity to deal with Marc on two occasions - once for my alto and my tenor is now with him for a tune-up. He is very enthusiastic, polite and honest. I would recommend him to anyone.

[mark1129]

may I take this opportunity to say

Go Habs Go ;)

[Davethewave]

I've never been to Marc's as I'm way out in the West Island, downtown is plenty far as it is, but I too have heard some pretty good things about it. Will check it out some time.


may I take this opportunity to say

Go Habs Go ;)

Man, what a terrible loss to Toronto the other night. Gah.

[avan]

Marc are one of the best repair man in Montreal and maybe also for all the province. Try also Pierre Beaudoin at steve music wind repair department in the old Montréal, This is the most better repair guy for vintage sax. Michel côté at twigg music (québec city) are also a very good guy, but also a very talentuous saxophonist, he know how a sax have to play, sometimes this is what lack for most repair man.

[TenSax]

I concur that Marc is top-notch and knows vintage saxes. He has just cleaned and overhauled my 1936 10M and it is a dream to play. He has also just completely rebuilt an early Mark 6 alto and it is beautiful. He is very pleasant and honorable with very competitive prices.