Klarinet Archive - Posting 000617.txt from 1998/03

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Buffet Crampon E-11 Bb Clarinet For Sale
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1998 10:25:54 -0500

Elliot,

According to their current catalog, the Woodwind and Brasswind will sell a brand
new E11 with warranty for $519 plus shipping. If you want to sell your
instrument, I think realistically you are going to have to lower your price
quite a bit. There is a good article on selling used instruments on the net
somewhere (I ran across it one time but didn't bother to bookmark it and now I
can't find it!) where the author suggested that musical instruments are like
cars. Once they leave the showroom, their market value takes an immediate
plunge. As is the case with autos, luxury (professional) models hold their
value better than standard (intermediate or student) models and a good rule of
thumb is that a used student or intermediate level instrument will likely not
bring much more than about 50% of the average STREET (not list) price for new
one. (But a used Buffet intermediate might do a little better, IMO.)

One approach you might try is to find out what local music stores typically
charge for a used E11 and what they will pay you for your instrument. Between
those two amounts is your range for negotiation with a potential buyer. I
suspect you or your parents may have paid closer to list price when you bought
the instrument and a huge loss may be hard to swallow. Unfortunately, what you
paid for the instrument is irrelevant to a potential purchaser. This is why
alot of people in your position, with a decent instrument, choose to keep it as
a backup.

BTW, also IMO, you oil your clarinet way too much. You might find the messages
(one by the list's own David Niethamer) at:

www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ross/flutes/oiling.htm

interesting food for thought.

Best of luck,
Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

Elliot Oki wrote:

> Buffet Crampon E-11 Bb Clarinet for sale; approx.. 10 years old.
> $600+shipping. This is a wooden clarinet for those of you who may be
> misinformed. As is, or minor servicing if required before sale. Respond
> ASAP. It will come with a plastic case if wanted. The wood is in generally
> good condition. I have applied woodwind oil on it about twice a month
> faithfully since I got it. The plating is silver, and is slightly tarnished
> but still in good condition. The clarinet plays well with no mechanical
> problems. It has been repadded and serviced recently, and the tenons
> recorked at most two years ago. I currently play on this clarinet, but am
> planning to buy a R-13, and this will go to offset the cost.
> Please send e-mail to eoki@-----.org if interested; I am in Hawaii, however
> shipping will probably be limited to within $30 in the US, depending on
> weight, probably much lower.

   
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