Hey folks,
I've been aproached by someone with three old Conns that wants me to buy/play them. He's had them sitting in his closet (uncased unfortunately) for about 35 years. They belonged to his grandfater (who began Downbeat Magazine many years ago). He has a straight soprano, an alto, and a tenor. Tenor and Soprano have rolled holes, the alto has flat toneholes. My question is what the value of these horns are in totally unplayable condition. I'm pretty sure these horns are from the late 20's or early 30's but didn't take the time to check the SN on them. No crosshatched G#, so they are not Chews. I know enough about old conns to tell they are valuable, and are sought after horns IF they are in good condition. However, they are all in need of serious mechancal overhaul. The horns are pretty good in terms of dings, dents, nothing on the stack is bent or so out of whack they they should be scrapped, but they are all miles away from playable. Some of the palm keys are bent, many of the pearl finger pads are gone, and of course they need pads, springs, corks, etc...
Being that they are old vintage horns and would probably be awesome once in top condition, what are they worth before overhaul? The guy wants like 250 each, but I sort of think that's on the high end since I'll spend at least 1,000 bucks each to get them overhauled....if not more.
Any thoughts? I sort of feel like they are worth less than 100 each, especially since you never know how a sax will play after overhaul and they could be duds even with a ton of work done to each. Something tells me that they may be worth fixing up though. He almost sold them for 15 bucks each at a garage sale, but didn't. I told him they were valuable after overhaul...so he got the idea that he wants several hundred each.
Thanks for any advice on these horns.
I've been aproached by someone with three old Conns that wants me to buy/play them. He's had them sitting in his closet (uncased unfortunately) for about 35 years. They belonged to his grandfater (who began Downbeat Magazine many years ago). He has a straight soprano, an alto, and a tenor. Tenor and Soprano have rolled holes, the alto has flat toneholes. My question is what the value of these horns are in totally unplayable condition. I'm pretty sure these horns are from the late 20's or early 30's but didn't take the time to check the SN on them. No crosshatched G#, so they are not Chews. I know enough about old conns to tell they are valuable, and are sought after horns IF they are in good condition. However, they are all in need of serious mechancal overhaul. The horns are pretty good in terms of dings, dents, nothing on the stack is bent or so out of whack they they should be scrapped, but they are all miles away from playable. Some of the palm keys are bent, many of the pearl finger pads are gone, and of course they need pads, springs, corks, etc...
Being that they are old vintage horns and would probably be awesome once in top condition, what are they worth before overhaul? The guy wants like 250 each, but I sort of think that's on the high end since I'll spend at least 1,000 bucks each to get them overhauled....if not more.
Any thoughts? I sort of feel like they are worth less than 100 each, especially since you never know how a sax will play after overhaul and they could be duds even with a ton of work done to each. Something tells me that they may be worth fixing up though. He almost sold them for 15 bucks each at a garage sale, but didn't. I told him they were valuable after overhaul...so he got the idea that he wants several hundred each.
Thanks for any advice on these horns.