Old Eb Conn Tuba

[Nick Lukefahr]

Hi, I'm fairly new to this site in terms of use (though I've been registered for a while), so I don't know if this is exactly where this post goes.

Recently my university had an old Eb Conn donated to it by a local. It is very old and very tarnished, and after some research I determined that it dates to 1892. Now, my school is not a music based school, it is an engineering school, which has very little emphasis in the music programs, and I was think that it would be a great idea if I was to buy this tuba from the school and restore it. But the problem is I have no idea how much it is worth. The thing is, if I don't buy it, it will sit in the very back of the 'instrument closet' and never be used since most people that come through would only know how to play BBb tubas. Does anyone have any close estimates at about how much it is worth it this condition? Any other info you might have on it or what I should do would be greatly appreciated!

Oh yes, my goal is to try and restore this one on my own

Here are some pictures, should this work. couldn't get pics to work so here are links.

http://www.box.net/shared/djhxnb5vrn" target="_blank
http://www.box.net/shared/p5p6enyvxd" target="_blank
http://www.box.net/shared/xna9h1cbum" target="_blank

It does have all the slides, I just had taken them out in these photos.
The inscription on the bell above the leadpipe that isn't visible in the picture says
"MADE BY C.G. CONN" "ELKHART, IND AND WORCESTOR MASS"
There are also 2 or 3 big dents in the bow and the bell has a few crinkles.

Hopefully these pics will help. Thanks!

[Michael Bush]

I'll leave naming a number to others. But as an academic politician, I'll offer that unless your school is a lot different from the one where I work, what it could be sold for in the open market following restoration is in the neighborhood of a half to a third of what the business office will want for it in its present condition, unless they get some very sage advice. So I think it would be well to think unusually carefully about identifying the right administrator to approach to get the result you're hoping for.

[Nick Lukefahr]

Nah, my kind of school is the one where it will just sit in the back of the room where the instruments are stored and probably never be looked at again. Chances are it wouldn't ever be restored by the school.

[Nick Lukefahr]

Oh wait, I understand you now. So I need to make sure the price I get is identified as the 'restored' price or not is what you're saying?

[Michael Bush]

No, I'm just saying be sure you find someone with the authority to make a decision about it who understands what you're trying to do and how it will benefit the school to get something rather than nothing for it, and who can make that stick. If you leave it to the bean counters in the business office (at least where I work) they'll overestimate the value and it really will just sit in the closet.

[Mike-ICR]

I too, unfortunately, have had this happen to me. When I was in college for instrument repair there were a few euphoniums and a couple sousaphones that were donated years ago. They were all missing several parts but still fixable with a lot of work. I asked my prof. and he said they were never planning to fix them and he wanted them off the shelves! I picked my favorites, went to the music department head, and offered to purchase them. He was surprised that I was offering money for these "hunks of junk" but wanted to check with the college office first. They came back with a number HIGHER than what the lot would be worth in good working order. I went to the office to explain and negotiate and was asked: "didn't we already give you a price for these items?" I said: "yes, but..". They said: "Well then that's the price. If you're not happy with it then do buy the items". Talleyrand gives good advise. Find someone with the authority to make the decision. Tell him/her: "It's an 1892 Conn model XX and is worth $XXXX restored. It needs $XXX to be restored so I'm willing to pay $XXX".

How does it play? If it doesn't need a valve job you might get a nice horn for a reasonable price!

[bort]

"Donation" can mean a few things... from thoroughly cataloged and receipted and tax-deductible to something just dropped off in the middle of the night.

If the former, then you may run into more red tape than it's worth. If the latter, you might walk home with it for free.

Just make sure it's on the up and up. This isn't a highly desirable tuba to most people, so if you show an interest in it (and no one else does), maybe they'll just "donate" it to you?

[Nick Lukefahr]

I'm pretty sure this one was just dropped off at the door by a local (not really, probably the local actually came in!). I'm trying to make a deal with the band director, as I don't believe the school itself actually has anything to do with the instrument. Still looking for a estimated range on what this might run for, I've had one person say to offer about 100 for it, but second opinions are important too.

[DonShirer]

Does the school have an Eb available already? If not, they should keep at least one on tap for Bb challenged freshmen. I went to an engineering school and at my first band practice, found that they had only one Eb which had been spoken for by an upperclassman. I had all of two weeks to learn Bb fingering before the first football game.

[Sally Larsen]

I have an old Conn, perhaps not the most playable, though it has been brought up to pitch. I see it, honestly, as a work of art. Huge sweeping bell and a lovely patina.
A hundred dollars for a piece of history, and rest easy.

[Nick Lukefahr]

Bump of hope for an estimate price on this tuba.

[aqualung]

I bought a Conn similar to this for under $200, last year on eBay. Mine is the same wrap, but with a removable recording bell. It has slide extensions to bring it down to low pitch, but intonation is still a bear (OK for TubaChristmas). It is in raw brass and quite dent-free. The s/n dates it to 1907.