Helicon

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:17 pm

Any idea on key?
Not a lot of pipes. Eb?

http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/eBa ... la-image-1

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:51 pm

My guess would be Eb or F. Maybe even Bb tenor. Also hard to judge age.

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:57 pm

Question for my own education:

What is with the 17% buyer premium? Is this legit under E-Bay rules? I've never seen this before in an listing.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:21 am

Alex F wrote:Question for my own education:

What is with the 17% buyer premium? Is this legit under E-Bay rules? I've never seen this before in an listing.

It's an eBay live auction--the rules are more like Sotheby's.

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:25 am

Sothebe-it.

Thanks.

cheburashka · Post by **cheburashka** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:32 pm

I saw that too. I've heard nothing but bad about live auctions. The surcharge is legal, but it's BS. The thing that really pushed me away from this one (aside from the fact that I don't play Eb, or whatever mongrel key this happens to be in) was the fact that they won't give you a quote for S/H until after the auction closes. They could really gouge you on that.

Of course, there's also the chance that you'd get a screaming deal on it, because other people might hesitate to bid due to the above concerns.

Then again, I'm sure other folks think the same way. . .

Oh, and that ain't no "Bass Helicon." Look at the mellophone bell next to it. Judging from the size I'd say it's going to be the same octave as a euphonium, and probably something weird like an A=410 D# Heintzenschlapfengangerhorn. It won't play in tune unless you wear a helmet with a spike on the top.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:52 pm

It's pretty clear that this seller specializes in decorative wall-hangers. Have a look at:

http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/eBa ... 6569183074

Note the missing valve section?

cheburashka · Post by **cheburashka** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:07 pm

Hmm--I thought that was a natural horn with a virtual tuning slide.

Perhaps it's an unnatural horn?

I did write a limerick about the other horn though.

An odd horn, the small tenor helicon
And Ebay's a fine site to sell it on.
The tone? Quite unstable.
The player? Unable
To wear it 'till he makes his belly gone.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:25 pm

Nope, just normal "wear and tear":

Buyers are reminded that items are of considerable age and exhibit fair wear and tear.

Bells get wrinkled, valves fall off, you know; that sort of thing...

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:02 pm

I am within a (somewhat lenghty) commute distance to view prior to the auction.
Thought I'd not bid unless I took the time to see it as the valves are noticably faced away in the photo (the helicon not the french crush - sorry - horn).
Also feel prebid requires a view based on the disclaimers on their page.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:25 pm

I'm still trying to figure out how one might adjust the 3rd valve side as it seems to be firmly attached to some sort of brace.

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:23 pm

Also thought that slides and other areas could be viewed/verified.

TubeNet

Helicon

Helicon

Cool old horn

Missing Valves?