We had lost this band director to someone who attends their same church...maybe (finally) they decided that competence trumps prayer...(??)
This Jupiter was the victim of the S.O.S: a young scholar twisting/cracking/trashing the lower mouthpipe tube, as they apparently judge 1.183 seconds as too much time to devote to loosening the tension screw, and the neck functions as a damn good wrench.
I had a repairable used one (seen mounted on this instrument) as it was only previously bent in one direction, yet that band director insisted on a new one - so I kept this one for later (ie. today).
The painted-orange tension screw is an attempt to draw this young scholar's attention to the importance of loosening it - when removing the neck...but (well...) they might be colorblind. (??)
The other instrument I repaired for them today was a Yamaha mellophone...another young scholar dropped/bent the #2 piston. Luckily, I was able to straighten it.
(We recaptured this account by NICELY repairing a low A bari for them, when he was previously told it was not repairable...He was actually contacting me about buying a new bari...but I asked him to see the "hopeless" one (which needed a replacement neck, some dent removal, and adjusting). It was an "off-brand". They also have a Cannonball bari which we repaired at the same time...I prefer the off-brand, fwiw.
Last week, sold him four new JP silver marching baritones... We're off to a good (renewed) start with this school.
Mrs. bloke is going to meet the band director at the farm supply store in an hour - when she goes to pick up more chicken feed (over 100 eggs in the fridge, right now, and - yup - eggs are on my list of foods).
