TubeNet

I was bored so I was browsing some brass instrument retailer archives. I present three cases to you from ten years ago:

1. You could buy a new Conn 52J for about $9,000 in 2006. Ten years later, those tubas go on the secondhand market for about half that - a 50% depreciation.

2. You could buy a new Willson large piston F for about $7,800 in 2006. Ten years later, you can find them on the secondhand market for around $5,000-$6,000 - let's say $5,500 and call it a 30% depreciation.

3. You could buy a new Gronitz PCK for $12,000 in 2006. Ten years later, you can find them used for anywhere between $10,000 and $13,000 depending on the tuba. Let's say $12,000 and call it a 0% depreciation.

None of these figures are accounting for inflation and it's a bit of a simplification - obviously, not every used instrument on the secondhand market was purchased new in 2006. But I think there are some trends here. And the ultimate question: why do certain tubas really lose their value (Conn 5xJ series), some only slightly lose value (Willson piston F) and some remain more or less the same (Gronitz)?

Discuss.

Why? Depends on the overall quality of the tuba (construction-wise and playing-wise), desirability and 'in-vogue-ness' of a particular tuba. The Gronitz PCK (for example) you cite keeps it's value because it is well-made, plays well, and is still a desirable model of tuba for many.

I agree. "In-vogue-ness" is such a transient phenomenon. But I would argue that the Willson F is nearly as well-made (and much more dent resistant) as the Gronitz, and "big piston F tubas" are still in vogue... right? To some subset of the population? I might be out of touch.

^ Well, yeah. I was just "telling it like it is" regarding the tuba market. I'm prolly 'out of touch' also, as none of the tubas I own/play are particularly "popular". And I'm OK with that

I don't know what the Marzan rotary or piston 5/4 tubas sold for in '69 through '72 but I'd venture a guess that one these days sells for several thousand more. Of course... that's when gasoline only cost $35 a gallon.

What they cost doesn't mean much to me... just what they sell for now.

Ya can't give away one of those 'Frankfort Engineered' Shiller clones!

Dan Schultz wrote:'Frankfort Engineered'

http://www.frankfort.ky.gov/" target="_blank" target="_blank

^ I wouldn't buy a horn designed there either...

But yes, Dan touches on an interesting point - horns whose value has gone UP. 6/4 Holtons would definitely be in that conversation. Scarcity?

Yes, but you're kind of taking inflation into account <grin>

Put your $185 on interest since 1910 and figure what it would be worth now..Let's not even look at interest rates for the past 8 years. What would that 'little' $185 be worth now, just sayin'. I haven't calculated it but 116 years is a long time to compound interest.

http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl? ... year2=2016" target="_blank

It only goes back to 1913, but that's the idea. $4,471!