Posted by Paul Scott on July 16, 2002 at 07:43:15:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Are Yorks a good investment? posted by Ike H. on July 15, 2002 at 21:18:57:
It's true that $175.00 was a lot of money in the depression, but a very average 3-valve model King tuba sold new for $215.00 in 1938, (their top of the line horn went for over $750.00!) The economy was a bit better in '38 than in '33 but not by that much. I have been told by the old timers I've worked with that musicians fared pretty well in the depression, (at least in the cities) and that appears to be true considering the pricing of instruments. This did not extend to most symphony orchestras, (except the best) but applied to popular "dance" orchestras. People were interested in entertainment and the advent of radio created many "radio orchestras" (which helped to offset the loss of many theatre orchestras after "talkies" came in 1927). Considering the York was a custom CC, (and a 5-valve which is a bit of a rarity for the time) Mr. Jacobs did quite well.