Trumpet/King Tempo 494670

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Expert: Mike Pawul - 6/8/2009


Question

King Tempo
I purchased this King Tempo Trumpet, model 494670, horn 4 years ago from a music shop in Northern Michigan.  The shop said it checked, cleaned and repaded the horn.  I am interested in selling it now and was wondering what price to ask.  I think I paid about $500 for the horn 4 years ao.

Answer
Deb, The trumpet is from about 1974 so it isn't of great value to a collector. The Tempo was a good intermediate level horn and plays dark and full. Buying a horn from a music store usually adds a lot to the price. They do maintenance and work and the overhead is added into the horns they sell. As a private individual selling you can usually get about 1/2 to 2/3 what a music store gets. Judging by your picture you could possibly get $250 but not more than that. Probably more in the $125-175 range is realistic.

Mike Pawul

Expertise

I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in several bands and have many "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 600 with more than 400 on ebay

Experience

I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done work on over 900 horns.

Organizations
Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band, River Cities Concert Band, Derby City Brass Band, University of Louisville Community Band, Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN), Bugles Across America (BAA), Member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT)

Education/Credentials
I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College. Of course, I am still learning from all my friends that play and work on trumpets around the world.

Awards and Honors
Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.

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