Refurb: Good Investment

[Chuck(G)]

It depends.

There are some cosmetic refurbishments that can make an instrument far more attractive to a buyer and perhaps get a better selling price in excess of what you'll spend.

But there are limits to what folks will pay for a used instrument, regardless of condition.

Major refurbishments--taking the horn to pieces and de-denting and reassembling it with a new finish will almost never pay off--particularly in the case of a tuba.

But then if you're going to get those leaky valves fixed only because you''re selling your instrument, that seems to me a lot like fixing the leaky roof on your house only when you're getting ready to move. It makes no sense.

[Donn]

I think it depends on circumstances. I have an old one that is of reasonable value as a player, maybe $2 - $3K, but a lot less with the pistons the way they were, shot. I'm perennially on the fence about selling it. I got the valves fixed for ca. $700. Will I recoup that money? I think there's a good chance, particularly if it goes to a local player who has a chance to play it first.

When people sell cars, tubas, etc. that "could easily be restored", I always wonder why they don't just do it themselves, and then they'd be selling it for much higher price, eh?

[AndyL]

Tuck,

If your Schmidt plays nice now and you already foresee another horn when finances permit, save your money.......

Somebody is apt to appreciate it more as a bargain horn when you're ready to sell, than as a mid-price-range instrument that's had a bunch of recent repairs you want to recoup $$ for.

I suspect there are potentially more "bargain hunters" than folks looking for a really well-fixed-up Schmidt.

[iiipopes]

As you may have read in my forum singing the praises of Besson BBb comps, I got my horn CHEAP! As a practical matter, since mine is not a collectible horn, and as yours probably is not as well, treat it like you would your old favorite bang around auto: do the maintenance needed to keep it tuned, playable and mechanically sound (pun intended) and don't worry about anything else, as it has already bottomed out on the depreciation and nothing will add any appreciable value to it except the right guy at the right time who has a fancy for that particular tuba, regardless of condition.