Dating my BAT

[TubadudeCA]

Well that's a good starting point![/quote]

I sure think so! But the reason for me wanting to know of the value, is me trying to figure out if I should insure it. Never in my life do I ever plan to sell it.

[Rick Denney]

Well that's a good starting point!

I sure think so! But the reason for me wanting to know of the value, is me trying to figure out if I should insure it. Never in my life do I ever plan to sell it.[/quote]

In general, the value of tubas is in how they play. Very few tubas have the provenance or history to be valuable as collector pieces beyond their value as playing instruments. And probably all of those are already safely part of collections, and not sitting in someone's attic to be found in the next garage sale.

I would ensure it for replacement value, and provide as the replacement comparable any modern 4-valve Bb tuba of largish proportions. With a provider like Clarion, you'll need an appraisal, and those can be provided by those who sell and repair tubas (including some on this forum).

For actual cash value, condition is everything, and can't be determined from pictures on a forum. An appraisal for actual cash value would be nice to have to show the insurance company in case of a total loss.

If it's in good condition (and looks it) and plays really well, you might be able to get about half what a new, similar tuba would cost, if you wanted to sell.

Rick "doubting it's the long-lost instrument of the Berlin Phil tuba player from 1929" Denney

[TubadudeCA]

http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/Dan&alxcompleted.jpg

I just saw this on the Oberloh site. This Alex has what appears to be the same paddles as mine. So it seems that unless they were replaced during the restoration, that Alexander was using these types of paddles during the early 1900's.