Klarinet Archive - Posting 000321.txt from 1998/05

From: mwilson@-----. Wilson)
Subj: [kl] value of old tenor
Date: Thu, 7 May 1998 14:20:26 -0400

Hi,

Its really hard to say. Two factors that will affect the value are the
overall condition of the plating or laquer and any dents or dings (or
evidence of their repair). Another important consideration is if the
horn is a Low Pitch or High Pitch instrument. Low Pitch models were
designed for around A=440, and the High Pitch models were somewhat higher
(I am being vague here because I don't remember what the European standard
tuning was at the beginning of this century. I want to say A=456, but that
could be completely off the wall), and are difficult to play in tune at
A@-----.

There is still some demand for old Bueschers. Rascher and his school were
proponents of the Bueschers, as they were closest to Sax's original design,
and I belive that most, if not all, of the Rascher quartet play on vintage
Buescher instruments (and using Buescher mpc's!).

If the horn needs a complete overhaul and polishing and no other repair,
you're looking at $450 or more (at least here in the San Francisco bay area).
I know that later Bueschers used the Norton springs and snap-in pads, but I
don't know if the Tru-Tones used them.

I checked a couple of web pages (Charles Fail in Atlanta and the Wichita
Band Instrument used instrument page) and was surprised, as you, to find
no Tru-Tones up for sale there. I suspect that if the horn were completely
overhauled and in good mechanical and physical condition with a good
(but not necessarily original case) it would be worth between $800 and $1200.

Your best bet is to have a local repairman look over the horn and give you
some estimates. Anyway, if you're looking to sell the horn you pretty much
have to guess if you can more than recoup the cost of the overhaul when
you sell it. That will depend on where you are and how long you're willing
to wait.

If you're looking to fix it up and play, then go for it (unless its really
been beaten to death) because you will have a fine sax for $400-$500,
especially if you're going to play classical.

Well, those are my opinions, anyway, good luck,
Mike

Mike Wilson, MS 239-4 mwilson@-----.gov (650) 604-5496 day
NASA Ames Research Center (650) 604-1088 fax
Moffett Field, CA 94035 (510) 523-7790 eve

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