Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: My son is a trumpeter who is still at a conservatoire studying for his BMus Perf degree. He has several instruments which are all in use. However  when he was younger,before we bought his present Bb we bought him an old trumpet made by Alexander Mainz in Germany. It developed a crease in the bell and  so we sent it away to the factory to have a new bell  made and fitted which as it turned out is very decorative. It is in excellent working order though is different to most trumpets made today. My son will not play it.
It is not being used  and we should like to sell it but cannot work out who would be interested in buying it. Alexander Maintz are most famous for horns . I have asked at a couple of well known brass outlets in the UK and they are not interested. Any suggestions. We have no idea how much it is worth though have it insured for £1500. Appreciate that you do not offer valuations - thats fine but any ideas would be great. Many thanks A

ANSWER: My only thought beyond what you already know, and you do have this pretty well figured out, is that horns auctioned on eBay when they are 1) atypical and not common examples 2) well photographed and 3) accurately described; do rise to at least a fair price for the instrument.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Are you suggesting that Ebay would be a good idea ? I  hadnt considered it because I couldn't fathom how a prospective purchaser would be able to judge if it played as they wanted etc. How does the trying out of an instrument work then or do they not try it ? Sorry to sound dippy on this and appreciate your help. A





















. Many thanks A

Answer
Well, it is true that the potential buyer will need to know something of the brand before they are likely to bid, but then you have a very large audience looking at it.  It is not uncommon for seller to offer to refund the purchase price, if after the buyer tries it, and does not find it to their liking, and returns it.