Tech in DC area for my Martin Tenor?

[Kenfen]

I recently acquired a Martin Tenor in a trade. Unfortunately, it got bumped around on the way here and now I find myself in need of a good repairman in the DC/MD/VA area. I'm new to the area, so I know of no techs here.

Any suggestions are very welcome.

Kind Regards,

Kenfen

[geo@loyola.edu]

Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center (http://www.wmcworld.com/) in Wheaton has an instrument repair shop.

[Kenfen]

Thanks for the suggestion. I usually stay away from the stores and try and find independent repair techs. I've found a very good one in Steve Fowler in Annapolis, MD.

He did a great job and I'll be using him more as I rebuild this Martin.

For those of you in the area, you can contact him through his site at www.fowlermusic.com

Kind Regards,

Kenfen

[geo@loyola.edu]

Steve's a little slow sometimes.

Since long drives don't seem to bother you, consider Larry Leeds (2211 Patapsco Rd; Finksburg, MD 21048-1116; (410)876-7906). Larry has a workship built on to his house. Does excellent, timely work.

[1saxman]

Steve Fowler, Pasadena, MD (on the southeast side of Baltimore). He did a great job on my Martin tenor, and he even has a picture of it on his site.
http://www.fowlermusic.com/

[Kenfen]

That is one beautiful Tenor, bro. Are you in Maryland? I've moved to Annapolis from Newport, RI.

Steve did a great job on getting my "old lady" going, 1935 Martin Tenor, Searchlights with a Gloger Handkraft neck. Not pretty, but she sure sounds great.

Kenfen

[1saxman]

I'm down in Richmond. I don't know why I didn't read the thread before posting for Fowler. This tenor plays extremely well, and has a funky, 'vintage' sound like no other. When I first got it back from Steve and tried it out at home, it played fine, but was no match for my Selmer. When I took it to the first gig, though, the thing knocked me out (I've learned the hard way that you have to try a horn under the conditions you work in before you can tell if it's what you need). You know how people describe the sound and feel of playing one as 'buttery'? That describes mine. Steve put Selmer-style brown nylon tone-boosters in at my request. These did not make the horn thin or edgy, but it has plenty of projection. One thing I really like about it, the low notes have a big, booming response, without harshness, but the 'edge' increases as you go up the scale. Intonation is typical 'The Martin' in that you have to be a little more aware of it than with a Selmer, but it's manageable.

[Kenfen]

Richmond's not far at all. Pretty skyline as you drive by it on 95... did that a few days ago. I had a buddy from there, Nat Nolan, trumpet and congas. Do you know him?

Anyway, yes, I'll be putting the Selmer style plastic resos in this one as well. My Martin guru's tell me that it loses something with metal resos in them.


Kenfen

[markm]

I know this is an old post, but for someone else who may be looking. There are several good techs at Washington Music Center (AKA -Chuck Levins') in Wheaton, MD. I would ask to speak to Eric Beach - he LOVES old horns and has restored several for me...including a 1936 Martin Home model C-mel. He used to have his own shop and is now senior techician at 'Chuck's'

MM

[LampLight]

Here are three other options.

I've used Peter Ferranti for years and always been satisfied. Peter is a one man band w/out a website. Be prepared to leave a message, but you will usually get a quick call back (especially once he knows you):
Presto Brass & Woodwinds
Peter Ferranti
2219 North Columbus Street, Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 841-8335

I met L & L at the International Saxophone Symposium 2007, where they had a booth. I spoke with Steve Loeb. They seemed to be knowledgable, and I have a vague recollection of reading good reviews of them on some forum. I don't have personal experience with them:
L & L Music Windshop Inc
8940 N. Westland Dr.
Gaithersberg, MD 20877
301-948-7273

One time when Peter was laid up and I needed something in a hurry, Kenneth MgKee was recommended to me by a well known saxophonist in one of the service bands. I don't know Kenneth personally, but he's supposed to be good:
Kenneth McGee
126 Oakwood Dr
Stafford, VA 22554-3922

[markm]

I just brought a stencil -Handcaft Standard Special to Washington Music Center in Wheaton. It's a satin silver silver plated alto that I have high hopes for. No dents or major damage, so after a dip and a complete rebuild - it should be a beauty. I hear good things about every Martin and Martin stencil. I'll report back in a couple weeks.

PS - Senior Technician -Eric Beach is selling a completely restored silver-plated US Marine Corp -'The Martin' tenor. Rebuilt with love and respect, flawless condition with original USMC case for $2600. I don't think he 'does email' - he's old school. But if you're in the DC area, it's worth a look.

[terry1919]

I've had a couple of horns (King Super 20, Buescher True Tone soprano) done at L and L in Gaithersburg. Excellent work, really nice people, and they usually are fast (will be a little slower now that band season is here). They're redoing a 12M for me now, and I'll likely give them my Buffet R13 as well.

[selmer]

Send it to Bob Ackerman.......when it comes to martins .. he's the best around. www.bobackermansaxophones.com

[piccoloplayer]

I have known Larry Leeds ever since he and I first played in a pit orchestra together in 1981. He is a fine clarinet player, and is not too shabby on alto sax. I have always been real happy with his work on my (Model 28 Selmer) tenor, my cigar cutter alto, my naked lady bari, and my R-13 clarinet. He is not quite as good, I feel, on flutes and piccolos, but I have an unusually light touch, so may be a little more picky than some.

I will say, his work has always been as fast as or faster than anyone else's, and he is good about squeezing you into his schedule for emergency work. I can't tell you how many times he has fixed something for me when I stopped off at his shop on the way to a gig.

[abadcliche]

Is Lee Lachman no longer around? When I was in high school I used to go to him in College Park/Berwyn Heights.

[GaithersburgReeds]

Lee Lachman is indeed (still) repairing woodwinds. I just recently met him and left my Mk VII tenor for an array of fixes/adjustments. Very impressed with his attention to detail.

-John