Satisfied Customers

Greg Allen

• Custom Yamaha Trumpet Built by Carl: YTR-6335 Med. large valve casings; YTR-8345 Xeno mouthpipe & main tuning slide (heavyweight large bore); Yamaha rose brass bell; thinned out finger buttons & top caps; custom 3rd valve heavy cap; brushed brass finish with clear lacquer.

Greg Allen plays trumpet with the Illinois Brassworks and many other groups in central Illinois. These excellent portraits are from Heirloom Digital Portraits

Jim Boitos

• Conn 10M Tenor:
  Repadded w/ RooPads and aluminum Noyek resonators
• Selmer Mark VI Alto: Repadded w/ RooPads and original Mark VI plastic resonators
• Selmer Mark VI Soprano: Repadded w/ RooPads and aluminum Noyek resonators

Saxophonist and Former Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Ensembles at Illinois State University.

For more than two and a half decades, Jim Boitos' jazz groups won individual and group awards at college jazz festivals throughout the country. Boitos was a featured soloist at the 5th World Saxophone Congress, London, the 6th World Saxophone Congress, Evanston, and the 7th World Saxophone Congress, Nuremburg. Mr. Boitos has also free-lanced with Pearl Bailey, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, Nancy Wilson, Louie Bellson, and many others.

Elliot Chasanov

• Greenhoe F-Attachment Trombone w/ Conn 8HT bell.
  Conn 88HY Bell recently mounted to Greenhoe valve section by Travis.

Associate Professor of Trombone and
Chair of the Brass Division at University of Illinois.

Elliot's Site

"Carl's Pro Band has quickly become my absolute first choice for general brass repairs and trombone slide work. I have recommended them to all of my students. Their work is absolutely top-notch and flawless! We are very lucky to have such high quality craftsmen in Central Illinois! "
-Elliot Chasanov

Thad Franklin

• Conn Vintage One Trumpet
• Bach Stradivarius Fluegelhorn

Professional Trumpet/Fluegelhorn player & teacher in Chicago. Thad is a graduate of Illinois State University.

Thad's Site

"Carl has been repairing and maintaining my horns for almost 10 years.  Despite that fact that I live and perform in Chicago, I still make the trip down to Bloomington every time I need to have some work done.  He's the only one I trust!  Thanks Carl."
-Thad Franklin

Larry Harms

• The Martin Tenor: Repadded w/ RooPads and aluminum Noyek resonators
• Beuscher 400 "Top Hat & Cane" Tenor : Repadded w/ RooPads and brass Noyek resonators

Professor of Saxophone/Jazz Band Director at Illinois Central College & freelance saxophniost/pianist. Larry also leads the Illinois Central "Jazz Train" Orchestra.

Larry's Site

"On your website, put me under "Good AND Satisfied Customers!" It is a pleasure to recommend technicians of your quality. Peace."
-Larry Harms

Nathan Heleine

• Selmer Mark VI Alto
• Selmer Mark VI Tenor
• Conn Soprano

Performing and recording saxophonist in New York City. Nathan is originally from Bloomington-Normal and moved to New York in 1999. He completed a music degree at the Eastman School of Music in 2004.

Nathan's Site

Nathan is also the President/Designer of Boom Design Group.

"I've been lucky to know Carl for years and have always appreciated the unparalleled quality of his work.  However, I didn't fully realize just how great he is until I moved away from Illinois and had to take my horns to other technicians.  I quickly learned that I had been spoiled for a long time by being so close to someone who could keep my horns in such great shape.  I've lived in New York for 5 years and I haven't found anyone who comes close to the level of work that Carl does.  I'd rather drive 12 hours to see Carl and know that the horn is going to sound great, than leave it with someone else who I don't trust.  Carl is the only person I want to touch my horns!"
-Nathan Heleine

David Hoffman

• Bach New York Trumpet
• Conn Vintage One Trumpet

Professional jazz trumpeter who played with Ray Charles from 1991-2004.

David's Site

"I took my precious NY Bach trumpet in to Carl and Travis in a panic. A gust of wind had knocked it over onto the concrete stage of an outdoor gig, throwing everything out of whack and rendering it unplayable. Within 2 days it was as good as new, actually better than new, since it had been cleaned and adjusted as well as repaired. I would recommend them to anyone."
-David Hoffman

Jeffrey Holbrook

• Yamaha Bb Trumpet
• Yamaha C Trumpet
• Schilke Piccolo Trumpet

Jeffrey Holbrook is currently the Associate/Acting Principal trumpet of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in South Korea, and at the age of 23, is the youngest member of Korea's oldest and most esteemed classical symphony orchestra. He assumed his position in the orchestra in the summer of 2006, just a few months after completing his undergraduate degree in Trumpet Performance from The Juilliard School. Jeffrey is originally from Normal, IL and attended University High School.

Jeff's Site

"Despite living out of Illinois and the US for years, I always come
back home to get quality work done on my horns.  We're lucky to have
Carl's Pro Band in our community!"
-Jeff Holbrook

Randy Huberman

• The Martin Baritone: Complete Rebuild- Silver plated body and keys, gold plated guards and bell interior. Repadded w/ RooPads and brass Noyek resonators
• Conn "Chuberry" Alto: Repadded w/ RooPads and aluminum Noyek resonators

Central Catholic High School Jazz Band Director & freelance saxophonist.

"Carl is the best!!! I will never let anyone else touch my horns. Look at the picture of my bari sax on this page. You should have seen what that beast looked like before Carl got a hold of it. Nobody does work like Carl. Hands down."
-Randy Huberman

Todd Kelly

• Bach Bb Trumpet
• Bach C Trumpet
• Conn Vintage One Trumpet

Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Ensembles at Bradley University. Todd Kelly is also an artist/clinician for Conn/Selmer in Elkhart, Indiana.

Todd's Site

Carl and Travis,
"Thanks for the excellent work on my Bach horn. It's great to know that there is someone in the area who really knows how to work on trumpets. I am happy to recommend your work to all of my students."
-Todd Kelly

Roger Kimball

• Selmer Mark VI Tenor: Repadded w/ RooPads and aluminum Noyek resonators
• Selmer Mark VI Soprano
• Buffet R13 Clarinet

Professional Saxophonist originally from New Orleans, that has migrated to Central IL. Roger has performed with famed New Orleans bassist Tony Hall, and also Ivan Neville's group Dumpstafunk. He currently performs with his own group RK and the Funky Music Dept., a jazz duo called Twins, performs solo at weddings, and plays with the smooth jazz group Morrocan Soul.

Roger's Site

"When I first moved to Illinois, I started searching for an instrument repair guy. The name I heard over and over again was Carl Thacker. These guys repadded my tenor and really made it sing. I highly recommend their services to every musician I meet. Many thanks to Carl and Travis!!"
-Roger Kimball

Adam Larson

• Yamaha Custom Z Alto
  
• Selmer Mark VI Tenor: Repadded with RooPads & metal dome resonators
  
• Unison Soprano: Repadded w/ RooPads & brass Noyek resonators

Jazz Artist and Composer, Adam Larson, has been playing saxophone since 5th
grade. Since then, Larson has garnered numerous awards that showcase both
his abilities as a soloist and as a composer. Recently, Adam was selected to play in the 2008 Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble. He has also been awarded best Jazz Composition and Improvisation for both the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Illinois All-State Composition Contest, and was a member of the 2007 Illinois All-State Honors Jazz Combo. In addition Larson was recently selected as a member of the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, 2007 Inaugural Jazz Band of America, and was 1 of 15 invitees to the 2007 Jazz Rising Stars Program at the Steans Institute for Young Artists invitation only workshop at Ravinia, in Chicago,IL. Larson has had the privilege to work with James Moody, Rufus Reid, Jim Mcneely, Billy Childs, Matt Wilson, Terrance Blanchard, Nathan Davis, Wynton Marsalis, and many others. Currently, Larson studies privately with Dr. David N. Baker.

Adam's Site

Garard Montague

• Unison Tenor: Vintage gold lacquered body & keys
• Yamaha Custom Tenor

A veteran sax and flute player of 30 years, hails from our Nations capitol, Washington D.C.  He relocated to the Midwest in the early 80's, touring with an array of different styles of bands including hard-hitting R & B, Rock and Roll and Smooth Jazz. 

After a 3-year stint with Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, he found himself sharing stages with national acts including Bachman Turner Overdrive, Brian Adams, Aerosmith, Spyro Gyra and blues player Grammy winners Ko Ko Taylor and Lonnie Brooks. 

Carl & Travis,
"I don't know what you did to my horn, but that thing plays better than it did when I first got it. Thanks!"
-Garard Montague

Mark "Mickey" Moore

• Holton C Tuba
• Hirsbrunner F Tuba

Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at University of Illinois.

Andrew Rummel

• Meinl-Weston 45S F Tuba
• Walter Nirschl WN-15 CC Tuba

Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at Illinois State University.

Andy's Site

"As a tuba player, I was always a bit leery about leaving my horns with an unknown repairman for fear that the instruments would return in worse shape than when they came into the shop!  Well, it is safe to say that my worries are gone as I would trust Carl and Travis with my own child!  They perform fantastic work on my large, cumbersome tubas and I will continue to recommend their shop to all of my friends in the tuba world.  It is challenging to find repairmen that can handle the repair needs of a tuba player, and I am blessed that two of the best are right here in my hometown!  Thanks for all of the fantastic work!" 
-Andrew Rummel

Eddie Rushing

• Selmer Reference 54 Tenor : Repadded w/ RooPads & plastic resonators
• Yamaha Custom Tenor

Eddie is a great performing and recording saxophonist who is one half of the Paul & Eddie duo. Eddie couldn't stand the stickiness of the pads on his two year old Selmer Reference tenor, so he had us replace them with RooPads. He's more than happy with the results.

"Carl and Travis will bend over backwards to please their customers. I've had nothing but success dealing with them. I'm happy to recommend Carl and Travis to every musician I meet!"
-Eddie Rushing

Cory Starr

• Unison Gold Plated Alto: Repadded w/ RooPads & gold-plated plastic resonators
• Unison Lacquered Baritone
• Unison Soprano: Repadded w/ RooPads & brass Noyek resonators
• Yamaha Flute

Performing and recording saxophonist who has played with Public Display of Funk, Full Size Jimmy, Jaik Willis, and many others.

Doug Stone

• Selmer Series III tenor: Repadded w/ RooPads and aluminum Noyek resonators
• Conn 10M tenor

Saxophone Instructor & freelance saxophonist in Chicago, IL who is originally from the Peoria, IL area. Doug recently toured with Maynard Ferguson.

Doug's Site

"Carl,
The horn is playing better than it did the day I bought it!
Intonation - A+
Quietness of the keys - A+
Feel of the pads - A+
Warmth and depth of sound - A+
I have played it in a wide variety of settings. Straight down the pike, swinging, hard blowing bebop sessions, totally improvised music where I use a lot of multiphonics and push the horn quite a bit sonically, big band gigs, wedding band gigs blowing my eyeballs out on Mustang Sally and In The Mood, club dates and gigs at restaurants where I have to play so soft that the table next to me can't even tell I'm blowing a note, and practicing several hours at a time. No matter what situation I am in the work you did has really held up and given me the freedom to play how and what I need to. The synthetic corks are holding up well. I can remember times when corks have fallen off a week after I had my horn worked on - this stuff is revolutionary! Thanks for all of your time and effort."
-Doug Stone

Toby Thomas

• Martin Handcraft Soprano: Repadded w/ RooPads and brass Noyek resonators.
• Selmer Series II Alto
• Conn 10M Tenor: Repadded w/ RooPads and aluminum Noyek resonators

Toby Thomas graduated from Illinois State University with a Music Education degree in 2005. He was a member of the ISU Jazz Band, ISU Wind Symphony & Chamber Winds groups. After graduating from ISU Toby took the Band Director position at Delavan High School. In the fall of 2007 Toby left Delavan High School to pursue a masters degree at the University of Massachusetts. He is a phenomenal player and an even better music educator.

Brian VanArsdale

• Selmer Series II Soprano
• Selmer Mark VI Tenor

Brian VanArsdale is a tenor saxophonist and composer currently based in New York City. He has performed with Shelton Berg, Dave Brubeck, Harold Danko, Benny Green, Slide Hampton, The Heath Brothers, Bill Holman, Steve Houghton, Jeff Kashiwa, Pat Martino, Bob Mintzer, James Moody, Eddie Palmieri, Louis Smith, Marvin Stamm, Clark Terry, Ben Tucker, Doug Wamble, and many others. During the two years Brian was at UNF, he was the recipient of a total of five DOWNBEAT student music awards for both his own writing and for the ensembles in which he performed.

Brian's Site

Jim Walker

• Yamaha Gold Flute
• Hammig Piccolo

Jim Walker is a professional flute player from Los Angeles. Carl was lucky enough to work with Jim when he toured with the Illinois State University Wind Symphony.

Jim is the lead voice of his band Free Flight, plays in countless Motion picture soundtracks, is a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Flute at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, recently joined the faculty at The Colburn School Conservatory, and is a Yamaha Flute Artist.

Jim's Site

"Very best wishes and special thanks to Carl Thacker for the great repair work"
-Jim Walker

Ryan Weisheit

• Selmer Mark VI alto: Repadded w/ RooPads
• Yamaha Custom Z Tenor
• Amadeus AF600B Flute
• Buffet R13 Clarinet
• Yamaha Soprano

Ryan is great saxophonist who is currently studying at University of Northern Florida where he plays in the top Jazz Ensemble, and in the Wind Ensemble. Before heading to UNF, Ryan attended Illinois State University.

Glenn Wilson

• Selmer Balanced Action Baritone
• Selmer Mark VI Low A Baritone

Professional jazz saxophonist and recording artist.

Glenn's Site

"One of a working musician's best friends is a good horn technician. I've had many technicians work on my horns in my 30+ years of professional playing, including many in NYC and there have only been two people I would consider 'professionals'. Carl is a true professional."

-Glenn Wilson

Keith Zimmerman

• Selmer Series III Alto
• Selmer Series III Soprano
• Selmer Series III Tenor
• Buffet Clarinet

Professor of Saxophone/Music Education at Illinois Wesleyan University, and at Bradley University. Mr. Zimmerman's career as a saxophone teacher and player was extensively profiled in a cover story interview in the January/February 2002 issue of “The Saxophone Journal,” an international publication for saxophonists.

Keith's Site

To Carl & Travis,
"You folks do a special job. None better anywhere."
-Keith Zimmerman