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[nycbone]

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[Donn]

Ew, the box says "HelleBurg"?

I see this one belongs to the flat rim branch of the family, compared to the otherwise similar looking Helleberg mentioned halfway down the page here, as I remember it anyway.

[Alex C]

When these mouthpieces first came out they were offered only with gold plating on the cup and silver on the shank. The idea was that the gold felt better on the embouchure and the silver shank would be more resistant to wear.

I can't say whether the mouthpiece/packaging is mint or not but the plating configuration is correct for a 1960's era Helleberg.

$200? I'd be surprised if someone bought it at that price.

[Tom Coffey]

I looked at the seller's other items. There are a lot of mouthpieces, mostly trumpet and trombone, and many of them are in what looks like original packaging. Some are obviously used; others look like NOS. It looks to me like he is running a store, or maybe bought out all or part of a store.

[Untersatz]

And yet another one! Trust me...........it's gold, and they spelled "Helleberg" correctly on the box
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conn-Helleberg- ... 9100153%26" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Helleberg vintage gold 7B.JPG

[Donn]

This one's probably just like my 7B, though? Thinnest possible gold plate, all over. I'm guessing '70s for this one, but just a hunch. I have no insight into the market for antiquities and collector items, but can't imagine paying $160 for it. I think the minute you break the plastic, it's worth $100 less? So its value and its uselessness are closely intertwined.