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I'm new to the forum. Thanks in advance for any input!

I recently inherited a Conn 32K Sousaphone (Naked Lady) from my grandpa. Serial number is 311865. Made in 1936. I just took it in for a cleaning and to get a few dents removed. It plays like a dream. Valves are great, sound is great. Here are some pictures:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Any idea how much this is worth? I'm not interested in selling, I just don't know how much to insure it for.

Thanks.

A 32k is a heavy duty or (perhaps, in the past considered) professional version of the budget 14k model. They are the same other than hardware. It's really difficult to put a value on used good condition sousaphones, because - at the moment they are offered for sale - a certain limited group of people are going to be interested in purchasing a sousaphone who may have their own ideas of worth, and that collective idea of worth is going to be the value of such an instrument at that given moment in time. Some continuous things which do affect value are whether an instrument has been refinished in the past (which lowers the perceived value to some) and how much wear and tear are on the piston valves and casings, as obviously more wear and tear lowers the value just as it would were an engine and transmission in a motorized vehicle epically affect its value.
By the way, I really don't have anything beyond this, so any private message to me wouldn't offer you any more information. I've told you everything I actually know, which isn't much.

If this one sold for 2k six years ago I’d start the bidding at 2.4k

https://reverb.com/item/20876476-vintag ... sousaphone

Your insurer may require an appraisal. See if the people that cleaned/repaired it are acceptable to them and they are willing/qualified to do so.

Its a nice-looking sousaphone, and a wonderful inheritance. I wouldn't sell it either!

Keep it! Relatively dent free sousaphones are sort of rare anymore. If the valves aren’t worn out I’d guess somewhere from $2000 to even $3000 to the right person.

I’d hang onto it if you’re not hurting for money. Jealous!

Most local shops will offer a free appraisal for insurance purposes.

If you're not a pro, it's typically just part of your personal stuff - covered under homeowners...yes?

bloke wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 7:09 pm If you're not a pro, it's typically just part of your personal stuff - covered under homeowners...yes?

Yes, just like your nice couch and chairs.

Thanks all. This is helpful. And don't worry, as I said in the post I am NOT selling this. Just wanting to know what it's worth for insurance.

Remember.. for insurance you are looking to be made whole in case of loss. So the appraisal is different than the current retail value.

For instruments still in production, or with similar models still in production, my shop gives the current new retail price as the appraisal value. For vintage instruments it is generally 2X the current eBay/Reverb rate. This way the instrument can be replaced in s relatively short amount of time.. and any repairs/service/cleaning can be done without paying out of pocket.

If it were me.. I would insure it for $5K. Riders on homeowners insurance are generally cheap. I think I am paying in the neighborhood $100 a year for all the instruments in the house... including multiple tubas, a plethora of other brass, double bass, some vintage bass guitars, and a nice piano. Others may have a different philosophy.