Doublereed Archive - Posting 000012.txt from 2003/04

From: Nat Echols <nat@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Mildew in the case
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2003 23:59:13 -0500

> Yet another question to ask, when buying on eBay, along with queries about
> rusted screws, damaged silver, cracks etc...if posible I try to get students
> to buy a decent new instrument, but there are times when economics forces the
> risk of auctioned instruments. Now that schools are starting oboe players as
> young as age nine, parents are often unwilling or unable to meet the price of
> a good new instrument, and the ones the schools provide are usually the
> cheapest and most unplayable models. Lois Barton

On a related subject, does anyone know anything about these instruments
that keep showing up:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2519564705&category=16227

From other ads, they appear to be made by "Lavall" (possibly other
companies as well), in Paris. I'm guessing these are of similar quality
to the shiny orange violins, judging from the sub-Amati prices. I do like
that they use a long bell joint, though.

Certainly there are some excellent deals to be found - my 201 was a recent
Ebay purchase, and we sold my old bassoon there as well - but the sheer
amount of crap (like "Beware of Bassoon Player" decals) is somewhat
off-putting.

Ah, I see there's a used Linton contra for sale. Didn't know those
existed. Somehow the $15,000 starting bid sounds a little steep.