If I wanted to know what my horns worth??

[bigbob]

If I wanted to know what my sousaphone is worth would I put that on "buy and sell??"Everyone is talking about those new Shillers and how good they are I thought I might trade in my old 1945 king silver sousaphone in on one..I never use it..I only do CC.. hard to remember any other fingerings<s> Troy Laams said with my sousy as a trade I would pay 850 for the shiller and he would give me a special delivery rate..I only have 600..There on sale on Ebay for around 1850 or somewhere there abouts that would make my sousaphone around 1000 .. I always thought a good king with few dents went for arornd 1300 to 1800 am I wrong..?? Should I ask more for the trade in??Even tryed to trade him some art<s>and a tuba chair and case.. Here's what I want to know should I just try to sell it outrite or go trading..?? I went to Laabs site and the price of the horn went up since a couple of days ago must be you guy's buying them haha.. any info you all can give me would be greatly appreciated......................................bigbob http://www.rgisculptures.com" target="_blank

[ken k]

well he is not going to give you as much as if you were to sell it yourself. it is just like a used car delaer. he has to make money on the resell so he is not going to give you 1300- 1800 for it if that is all he can get for it.

If you are not in a big hurry, try to sell it here for a few weeks and see what it brings.
keep in mind shipping costs to ship a sousa....
ken k

[MartyNeilan]

If I wanted to know what my sousaphone is worth would I put that on "buy and sell??"Everyone is talking about those new Shillers and how good they are I thought I might trade in my old 1945 king silver sousaphone in on one..

Keep in mind that the near 5 star reviews have been for the 5 valve 186 copy.
The "Schillbrunner" large 4 rotor BBb has received decent, although sometimes flawed, reviews - check the archives for the full (largely but not completely positive) rundown, and PM some of the owners for the full scoop if you need more.
Some of the other horns have not been mentioned at all.

For the money, the 5 valve CC can't be beat. I am in no way or shape qualified to comment on any horns outside of that specific model.

[bigbob]

That was the horn I was interested in... the 5 valve Shiller.. Since you have one does it sit up high?? Higher than my old 3J?? I have to prop it up on my leg to play it the last 20 years(necks kinda hurting)<S>I also have to sit my music stand up high too.. I'm 6'4" and like to look level with the music and horn.. Thanks for any info...............................bigbob http://www.rgisculptures.com" target="_blank

[iDot2K3]

I just purchased the Shiller 5 Valve BBb version of the 1291. I am nearly completely happy with it. It is built like a tank has a wonderfully ominous deep tone to it and I thought better slotting than the AH 4V rotor. I went to Jim Laabs to check out the full line and came back with the 5V. I doubt I'll ever need the 5th, but I know when to use it if needed. It is nearly identical to the 1291, but just a very slightly smaller bore. I have no idea why, but then again if the list on the 1291 is really around 17K I got a bargain. I am saddened that it is a slightly sharp instrument it seems. I have the main pulled quite a bit... and really am not happy with this, butI don't know what else to do. I am hoping it will change as I adjust to the instrument.

I will have a more detailed review of the sound characteristics in the near future. I just purchased several new MP's to be more "well rounded" and versatile. I had been playing on a Dennis Wick 4L since high school and took it to the top of the 'i' at The Ohio State Univ. In the last few months I picked up a PT50, PT84, and DW 3XL. Currently my thoughts are that the PT50 has its applications, but may not be a great all around MP. I am loving the control I have with the 84, and am still working with the DW3XL to see where it fits in. I am not sure I see a huge difference between 84 and 3XL yet. I'll post on this too. All in all though great instrument. I was the head repairman for the OSUMB for the 5 years I was there and think the build of the 5V AH Shiller is rock-steady. Let me know if you have any questions about it and I'll answer if I can.

Andrew

[Dan Schultz]

I just purchased the Shiller 5 Valve BBb version of the 1291. ..... I am saddened that it is a slightly sharp instrument it seems. I have the main pulled quite a bit... and really am not happy with this, butI don't know what else to do. .... Andrew

The importers of these horns are aware that they tend to play a bit sharp. There is no reason why they can't offer a slightly longer slide. Get on 'em about it!

[Ace]

That was the horn I was interested in... the 5 valve Shiller.. Since you have one does it sit up high?? Higher than my old 3J?? I have to prop it up on my leg to play it the last 20 years(necks kinda hurting)<S>I also have to sit my music stand up high too.. I'm 6'4" and like to look level with the music and horn.. Thanks for any info...............................bigbob http://www.rgisculptures.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

Big Bob,

Several people here on the board, including myself, have purchased a Schiller 5-valve CC. From what I read, they have liked the horn very much. I certainly like mine. In fact, I love it. The Schiller CC is an incredible value---------you get a LOT of tuba for a comparatively small amount of money. My advice to you is buy one. You'll never look back.

[Uncle Buck]

In terms of figuring the value of your sousaphone, eBay is probably the best appraisal tool. Post it with a reserve high enough to make you comfortable and see where the bidding ends. Then you'll know what its worth in the current market. (Of course, with the small pool of buyers for tubas, the "current market" changes pretty rapidly.)