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I have somebody in my hometown here in Hungary who owns an old 3 valve York BB sousaphone. He bought it several years ago from a Circus Clown. I only saw it once, it seemed to be in a good shape.

I want to buy the instrument, and wamt to make an offer to him, but really have no idea what is it worth.

It is a York I know what it means, I'm not sure he does, and I want to make a correct deal.

Please help me with your ideas.

Thank you very much !

ubq wrote:I want to buy the instrument, and wamt to make an offer to him, but really have no idea what is it worth.

Desirable sousaphones sell for a price between several hundred in poor condition to as much as $3000 in excellent condition. They are more when new, and a fully restored (read: Perfect) instrument might get more, too. Econo-overhauled sousaphones are regularly priced in the upper two thousands, last I looked. Those will be buffed and shiny and in playing condition, but not necessarily like new.

Old-looking, battered sousaphones, even of good brands, will be worth much less. An instrument in good playing condition but looking its age might sell for a thousand or less.

York sousaphones are not really more desireable than other classic sousaphones from Conn, King, Martin, Beuscher, and so on. They should be priced similarly, in my opinion.

But these are U.S. asking prices at retail, not private deals made between individuals, especially in Europe. It's not possible to determine a fair price in this context. You might contact Bob Tucci for advice.

Rick "who has been told by one dealer that any good-playing Conn/King/York/Martin sousaphone is worth at least $1200-1500, regardless of appearance" Denney

ubq wrote:I have somebody in my hometown here in Hungary who owns an old 3 valve York BB sousaphone. He bought it several years ago from a Circus Clown. I only saw it once, it seemed to be in a good shape.

I want to buy the instrument, and wamt to make an offer to him, but really have no idea what is it worth.

It is a York I know what it means, I'm not sure he does, and I want to make a correct deal.

Please help me with your ideas.

Thank you very much !

Dean E wrote:

Tigertuba wrote:. . . . Does anybody have any ballpark figures for what a York sousaphone in good condition would go for?

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The last York sousas made [after] 1950 or so are only student quality with likely valve wear problems and probably not worth much more than the shipping cost.

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