Double Bell Euphonium - what's it worth?

[eibbtoddb]

I am looking for some advice on putting a value on my F. Jaubert double bell euphonium. I've owed this horn for nearly 30 years and it was old and used when I bought it. I played it a few times in college in 'novelty' situations (jazz band solo, recital solo with own accompaniment, etc). I haven't played it since that time. I haven't been able to find much information online about this horn and I've never seen another one like it. I would consider it a student-level horn with the nickel plating and 3+1 piston configuration.

It needs dent work (bottom bow, leadpipe, bell, etc). The nickel-plated pistons are stained, but the plating is all in tact.

Take a look at my photos and let me know if you have any expertise in these horns (when these were made, who made them, serial numbers, value of the instrument, etc.) http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddb_phot ... 510184403/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Thanks in advance for your help!
~Todd

[TubadudeCA]

This a great instrument!! I believe this set up (Bells next to each other) is actually called a Doblophone, Not a Double Bell Euphonium. Besson came up with this configuration as I understand, and were made during the turn of the century. Far fewer of these exist than the standard double bell, and this is a great example of one of these horns!

As for value, I can't really say. I'd place it a little higher than what double bells are going for due to it's uniqueness.

I could be off but that's just my 2 cents.

[The Big Ben]

That is an interesting design. I wonder how many manufacturers made them that way. It looks like it would be on the difficult side to see around both of those bells.

[eibbtoddb]

Seeing around the bells is not an issue. The inside position of the smaller bell leaves the playing position the same as most other euphoniums. See this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddb_phot ... 2510184403" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

[eibbtoddb]

Hey there TubadudeCA, thanks for the comments! I had never heard of a Doblophone. I'm going to do some research on that and see if I can find one that matches the configuration of the horn I have.

Does anyone know how many of these were made? Thanks for the feedback everyone!

[TubadudeCA]

I would point you in the direction of Eric Totman. He's an instrument collector with TONS of knowledge. He himself has A Doblophone (It's actually pictured in a few articles and even one book) and know a thing or two about them. Check out his website: Horncollector dot com and drop him an email.

In the end you may just decide to keep it after you do all the research. It really is a cool horn!

[eibbtoddb]

I wasn't necessarily looking to sell this horn. I mostly wanted to find any information I could. Shows like "American Pickers" and "Pawn Stars" got me thinking about my horn and wanting to find out about its history

[eibbtoddb]

Thank you for that insightful education on reality television and how the shows are produced (I didn't remember asking for that information)

I am actually hoping to gather information from the experts in this forum about the very REAL horn I own.
1 - who built it
2 - when was it made
3 - how many were made
4 - how long were they made
5 - serial numbers
6 - estimated value (I know they are only worth what someone is willing to pay) - I'm not necessarily looking to sell. Just curious about the value.

PS - I sent an email to Eric Totman as suggested by TubadudeCA.

[windshieldbug]

1 - who built it
2 - when was it made

Jaubert was a house brand for Lyon & Healey.
You can find some information at Horn-u-copia, including L&H catalogs for 1878, 1880, 1894 and 1912 at
http://www.horn-u-copia.net/library.shtml" target="_blank

They claim Jaubert was European, but the DB euphoniums shown in the 1894 and 1912 catalogs (which match the one example in the H-u-c catalog) have the bells on opposite sides of the horn.

For my money, later than 1912 in France or Bohemia is probably the answer.

[Uncle Buck]

(I didn't remember asking for that information)

Welcome to the forum! That's kind of par-for-the-course here.

Anybody can start a thread, but nobody can control where it goes from there . . .

[eibbtoddb]

You can find some information at Horn-u-copia, including L&H catalogs for 1878, 1880, 1894 and 1912 at
http://www.horn-u-copia.net/library.shtml" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

They claim Jaubert was European, but the DB euphoniums shown in the 1894 and 1912 catalogs (which match the one example in the H-u-c catalog) have the bells on opposite sides of the horn.

For my money, later than 1912 in France or Bohemia is probably the answer.

Hey windshieldbug, thanks for the link to horn-u-copia.net, that is a nice website. After looking through the catalogs, I agree with your estimation of later than 1912 in France or Bohemia.

[Tom Coffey]

I have a similar instrument, which is, regrettably, not in as good of condition as yours. I would include a picture, but it is actually in the repair shop at the moment. Mine is stamped "Jerome Thibouville-Lamy" on the very ornate badge mounted on the bell. I would guess 1890's to 1910 as a production date, but I do not know for sure. I never heard the term "doblophone" prior to encountering this thread.

[Ken Herrick]

Hmmmmmmmm, if 1 particular person gets bored or disagrees with where it is going, he can usually get it headed in the direction of the tarnip patch.

Incidently: Nice axe, interestng post.