Posted by mjg on March 10, 2004 at 16:35:44:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Naked ladies posted by Sousie on March 10, 2004 at 16:20:47:
That basically is market value.
Ebay essentially can encircle what you may expect to pay at a retail outlet. At times, ebay is consistently below, but auction fever often can drive up the price that an item goes for.
FWIW, the Conn "Naked Lady" tubas and sousaphones don't have the same mystique as the saxopohones. Since you are looking for an Eb, those command even less of a price, just because.
Even if it had the legendary "York" or "York & Sons" etched in the bell and was in pristine condition, like brand new, it may fetch something like $1500. A decent looking Buescher went for around $600-700 and those should be pretty good horns, too.
Ebay is a decent source for market value on items like that with the top end being something like 10% less than what a retailer might ask. When it comes to specialty horns, like a CC, it becomes less effective. When a front action York goes up on auction and sells for $7000, it throws the radar off a little the other way.
You might want to give Art Hovey an email, as he seems to have been keeping track of what has been selling on ebay and what it has gone for. At leat I believe that it is Art H who has been doing so.