Expert: John Metcalfe - 11/4/2009

Question
I have a 1959 Olds Recording trombone with a case and I would like to sell it, do you know what the approximate value might be and where the best place to go to sell.  I appreciate any help you might be.  

Answer
Hi, Bev.

I did a little on-line digging and found Olds Recording trombones selling for between $500 and $700.  Some of them had F-attachments (the extra tubing, in case you are not the trombone player) and others were straight tenor trombones.

If it has an F-attachment, you can ask more.  And if the horn is in really good shape, you can ask more.  Olds makes nice horns, but in recent years they have fallen from popularity in favor of other brands.

As to where you can sell it, I have a couple suggestions.  You can contact local high schools and middle schools in your area.  If the horn has an F-attachment, it would make a great upgrade from a student horn.  So you might find a student looking for a bargain.  A local music store might sell it on a consignment basis, but you might not get the full amount that you want.  You can sell it on eBay.  You could also list it on Craigslist or a similar posting.

There is also a website for trombone junkies:  www.trombone.org
They have a classified section that is updaged weekly.  There are a lot of horns that get bought and sold here.  Some are top-line professional horns and others are more intermediate-level horns, which is where I think this horn would fall.  (I have had two students buy horns through this website, and both cases turned out fine.)

I hope this is somewhat helpful.

Best wishes,
John Metcalfe