 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: maiohmai
Date: 2017-04-06 02:08
I am potentially buying an E-flat (sopranino) Clarinet from a great friend of mine this upcoming June. It's an R13, which was purchased around 2008. I don't have the serial number, but she has told me in the past that it was manufactured circa 2005-6 as she bought it barely used and fairly new.
It's a wonderful instrument and I had the pleasure of being able to borrow it in my undergrad for our Wind Ensemble and Orchestra concerts, so I am quite comfortable and extremely happy with it.
She is looking to sell it to me, but we had a strange exchange on what the price should be (both being inexperienced in used instrument pricing.) Seeing that R13 Efers are being sold for +$5000 now, and that she bought it for $3000 at the time, I suggested possibly $2000 perhaps since it's barely used and still practically new... and she said she'd do more research herself so the price isn't set and stone.
It's in absolutely great condition, no cork work or pad work needs to be done and I absolutely would love to have it in my arsenal. However, is the price that i gave out overshot or undershot? What would be a decent pricing for a used Efers of the Mid 2000's that's in excellent condition? I've tried finding more info on Ebay, Amazon Hollis and Germann, TWeir, but yielding no results...
Any advice or references will help! Thanks for reading!
On the road to a non-collapsing embouchure!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-04-06 04:59
Well, only you know what it is worth to you.
Unless we're talking about collector items - things usually depreciate once used or aged.
For my tastes, I probably wouldn't pay more than it was worth when it was new (and, to me, your offer seems reasonable.)
An easy solution would be for you to offer to pay to have it appraised professionally by a reputable third party (or ask her to have it appraised and offer reimbursement for the appraisal at the time of sale - if you end up buying it...something along those lines.)
However, the owner would be smart to get as much out of it as she can, with as little cost incurred to her as she can.
You'd be smart to get it as cheaply as you can.
The two forces are opposing - so my best advice is: figure out how much it is worth TO YOU, and offer that. If she takes it...great. If she doesn't - you did your best.
Best of luck!
Fuzzy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sum Randumb D00d
Date: 2017-04-06 05:11
"a great friend of mine... we had a strange exchange on what the price should be... R13 Efers are being sold for +$5000 now... she bought it for $3000... I suggested possibly $2000..."
Be prepared for her to be a not-so-great friend in the near future.
Maybe not even a friend at all.
Money has a funny way of stripping bare all that "friendship" nonsense and cutting straight to the bone.
jus sayin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2017-04-06 05:30
If the instrument is as wonderful as you say, $3,000 for a "ready to go" Eefer is a good price.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-04-06 06:03
Remember that the best deal is the one where both seller and buyer walk away smiling. You need to balance the worth of the clarinet to you against the value of the friendship. If you can't arrive at a balance then say "Thanks, but not now" and walk away smiling. Good R13 eefers do command a premium, and while not buying into real value, in the real world I agree with Ken. $3000 for an R13 eefer in great shape is probably fair value. Don't concern yourself with new price, this is "now" price.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ClarinettyBetty
Date: 2017-04-06 07:10
I think $3,000 is reasonable, maybe even $2,750. I don't think a good Eb depreciates as fast as B flats do. B flats and As tend to hold better value longer.
-----------------------
Eb: 1972 Buffet BC20
Bb: Selmer Paris Presence
A: Selmer Paris Presence
Bass: 1977 LeBlanc
https://gentrywoodwinds.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: maiohmai
Date: 2017-04-06 19:04
Thank you all for your input, it honestly has made me feel better about the value I had asked for.
I had thought that I had been overshooting my estimate, but with the few posts that even $3000 is a fair price, I could possibly find a median of $2500 if that's what could make both of us happy. It is completely worth it as I know the instrument left and right in addition to being the best/most comfortable E-flat I've gotten to play in my short career.
Thank you much again. If there are any others with input please feel free to share as I'm sure similar situations could arise again for others.
On the road to a non-collapsing embouchure!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
