things that will NEVER sell cluttering For Sale forum

[iiipopes]

To expand on what bloke said, for example, all the major used automobile "blue books" have three price ranges, low to high: 1) trade in value; 2) private sale value; 3) used dealer lot retail value.

Of course, a trade-in to a dealer will be the lowest offer, because of needing to make at least a small profit to stay in business, and the autos will almost always need some attention to resell even if nothing but a good wash and detailing.

The private sale value is in the middle, because, as stated above, it's just a used car, and caveat emptor.

The highest price for good, used, clean autos can be had by the dealer who goes through them, and at least in my state, they have to be able to pass safety inspection before they can be re-sold by a dealer. No such restrictions on a private sale, hence more risk, hence lower price.

Used musical instruments are no different. If a seller want to sell it, price it to sell, and be patient, bumping only when it falls off the first page, and not every other day. If it was purchased new, then there will be a sharp depreciation in the first three years, just like an automobile. Most run-of-the-mill everyday used tubas can reasonably be priced at about half to two thirds new, depending on value and condition; rarely more; many times less if there are significant cosmetic issues in so short a time. And it definitely won't sell for much at all if there are any mechanical or playability issues. This doesn't mean it has to be chem-dipped and completely reconditioned, but it does have to work, with any "personality" issues noted.

[tubashaman2]

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[ThomasP]

My Grandfather always said, "Something's value is what someone is willing to pay for it."

Take that wherever you wish.

[Donn]

My Grandfather always said, "Something's value is what someone is willing to pay for it."

That might be true if the present owner isn't interested in it.

For my own example - I bought a baritone saxophone Wednesday. About 40 years old, gently beat up as they tend to be, very common American make. I wasn't really expecting a lot, but it was fairly playable when I went to buy it, did OK in a rehearsal that evening; after one minor repair it's playing just great, and the sound is just deluxe! The sale price was appropriate for a rather rugged looking, early '60s low Bb bari, and if I had to turn it around I doubt I could get much more. But that's because potential buyers don't know its value. If I could make the rounds with it, and make sure a couple dozen reasonably serious local bari players (or wanna-be players) get a chance to hear me play it and make them aware that it's for sale, I imagine I could get twice what I paid for it. But right now, I'm the only person in a position to understand its value, and I could post a blurb in the "For Sale" forum with pictures and all, and not change that fact. Pictures don't have anything to do with it.

[Donn]

The tuba comparison to the "low A" is (arguably) the "fifth valve". "Fifth valves" can often be added to tubas, whereas "low A's" really cannot be added to bari saxes.

Though essentially that's how it's done - as I understand it anyway, the low A and low Bb baris are identical down to pretty near the end of the Bb bell, and the difference is just a short extension of the bell and an extra key. And the guy who is most well known for doing what cannot be done is Lance Burton, martinmods.com.

But more than a few players are convinced this extra long bell does the instrument no good in terms of how it sounds on the rest of the notes, and the `choice' to use low A is more a matter of whether you play section work where this note is required and the bandleader doesn't want to hear about the superior resonance of your low Bb bari that can't play it. (That trick with the 6 inch length of PVC sewer pipe inserted into the bell will blow his mind, though!)

[Todd S. Malicoate]

When I was *ahem* marching with a bari sax in high school, I used to put the bell against my left leg, finger a low Bb, and PRESTO...out came low A.

[bort]

I don't think this thing will ever sell either, not at this price...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Conn-MONSTER-Eb-Tub ... 94632349QQ" target="_blank

[Mcordon1]

When I was *ahem* marching with a bari sax in high school, I used to put the bell against my left leg, finger a low Bb, and PRESTO...out came low A.

My friend takes off his left shoe and puts it in the bell. He gets some strange looks during concerts...