Nancy wrote: "I've seen prices from 1,000 to over 4,000 for a Conn 8D. Some ads write full double. Aren't Conn 8Ds all "full doubles?" How can I put a value on my horn if I wanted to sell it? Conn No. is N48442 The horn was originally purchased by the Canadian Armed Services and used for a certain number of years before a set of 4 were sold to a friend of mine who sold me one of them. The No. W4106090380 was amateurishly scratched on the first valve arm.I am thinking about getting this horn into better shape as I see younger horn players come into my group with nice shiny horns. It has a few dents, one large one in the screw rim bell. The horn is silver color. I'm not sure about having an overhaul job done because it could change a lot of things that I am happy with presently"
Oh, I love this topic. I value horns often, and here are the guidelines I use. But do remember that I am not a certified appraiser, and the guidelines established by the appraisal field my be quite different. Market value is what the market will pay, right now. You determine market value by knowing what the market is paying, right now. If you are a dealer, then you likely have a good idea if it's a popular model horn. If you are seller, the internet has become a valuable tool for finding out what sellers are ASKING for their instruments, which is not necessarily what the market is paying for the instrument, but it's probably not too much higher than what the market is actually paying. If the model is unusual in some way, or even downright unique, then you have to figure out comparables and base the market price off of that. Some instruments are highly prized by one individual, and the market will not reward that individual with its confidence. Replacement value is what it will cost to replace an instrument with either the same or a similar model. This is most often used for insurance policy purposes. If the model is available, I always value replacement at FULL RETAIL PRICE. Why? Because even though street price is almost always lower, there is no guarantee that you will be able to buy it at that price should an insurance claim be necessary. And, the insurance company is always happy to pay less than the insured value for the replacement. Market prices fluctuate, but retail prices are predicatble within a certain period. If the model is not available, then you have to do comparables and go back to Market Value, above. I will never value a particular instrument, officially on letterhead, without having it in my hands. However, I will make a few guesses about Nancy's horn. It seems you have an N-series Conn 8D made in the Elkhart, Indiana factory. The amateurish engraving on the first valve arm seems to be a driver's license number of the soundex code variety. (My d.l. number starts with "W560", which sounds out to "wine" in the soundex system.) It has been hashed out many times on this and the other list as to what the exact indicators are of the three eras of Conn 8D, but your serial number alone is pretty indicative that this is a late Elkhart era 8D. (There are Elkhart, IN; Abilene, TX; and Eastlake, OH 8Ds.) Elkharts in general are highly prized for their particular characteristics, and generally sell for a premium above new, current model Eastlake instruments. Abilene models were of varying quality, and the best usually sell for about half of what the Elkharts sell for. Without seeing your particular horn, one could not make any further comment on its value other than to say that in good shape it will likely, if it plays well, sell for a bit more than a new 8D. As for whether or not to get it in shape, I would at least have the dents addressed. The cost of having dents removed is fairly low compared to the value of the instrument. The term "overhaul" means different things to different people, but a clean, relatively dent free (some minor dents are almost always acceptable, depending on where they are) horn is a good thing to buy so I'd have those things done. The other major concern is whether the valves are leaking. A valve plate/refit job is expensive, but probably worth it to the owner of the horn. It may not be worth it to the seller, though. Buffing and polishing to make it shiny are probably not worth it, and likely harmful to the value of the horn. I think I've said enough, except to note that yes, all Conn 8Ds are full double horns. Most ads just say that because there are buyers (read, parents) who have no idea what they are buying and need the guidance. -- *Regards, Dave Weiner Brass Arts Unlimited* _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
