“Conn 20J Tuba QUINN'S GARAGE SALE”

[MiBrassFS]

This instrument sold, so I’m not pointing to it for a possible purchase for someone. I have a question about these tubas. I have a couple of 20J’s hiding out in storage here and, since I’m starting to clear things out, I’m wondering about pricing, etc. eBay is generally regarded as the “price setter” on many previously owned items.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335876435900

I haven’t been monitoring this part of the market. Is this “ballpark pricing” for a 20J in such (poor?) condition?

The ones I have here are in MUCH better condition and (get this…) will even probably come in a one piece quilted gig bag. So, they may be “apples to oranges.”

What’s the going price on a good condition 20J in silver (with a gig bag…)?

[arpthark]

That was a head-scratcher for me. Maybe because it's silver? Do I spy a gold-wash bell?

Idly looking around FB and various other places for the past couple years, I've seen (lacquer) ones in decent condition go for around $750-$1,200. I know some folks have picked up beat-up ones (in better shape than the eBay one!) for around $400-500.

Nice condition silver 20J with a gig bag? ("Naked lady"?) Were it me, I would probably list at $1,500 and entertain offers. But I am no expert!

You can check "sold" listings in Facebook Marketplace and expand your geographic area to 500 miles. Search for something like "Conn tuba" and see if any pop up.

[MiBrassFS]

Some of the “QUINN’S” eBay pictures kinda look like ”lacquered” and some sorta look like”silver-ish.” Bell looks more like lacquered inside and out, but the pictures don’t exactly give the story, imo. It’s definitely missing a valve, cap, and some buttons!

The ones here have the “lady face” (not sure if she’s naked, heh, heh…).

Maybe I’ll sell the 6/4 bell front gig bags separately….

[arpthark]

I didn’t even notice the missing valve at first glance. Someone really wanted a fixer-upper.

I’ve always kind of wanted one, but probably a more beat-up one to mess around on.

24Js, I’ve noticed, routinely go for above $2k, but I don’t think the fourth valve is necessarily a must-have on a tuba like that which already offers some pretty beefy false tones and wide-ish slots.

[MiBrassFS]

You can check "sold" listings in Facebook Marketplace and expand your geographic area to 500 miles. Search for something like "Conn tuba" and see if any pop up.

Thanks for that. I just went checked that out and the only one that comes up is that junker that sold recently. Must be a “Conn tuba desert” within 500 miles! Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing!

[gocsick]

Around here they are holding value pretty well. Good players that are cosmetically challenged are going to around $1500... Nice lookers are north of $2K... My brass repair guy just sold one with about 50% lacquer wear on the body but completely de-dented and a nice shiny and relacquered bell for $2400.

"Mine" is on perpetual loan to me from a friend. He pretends he might want it back one day.. and I pretend he might get it back. We have agreed on a price of $1500 to be paid at some nebulous point in the "future". It is a good arrangement... I get to use it, maintain it, and slowly fix minor things for him. He gets it out from underfoot in his small house and his wife isn't bugging him about the tuba statue collecting dust in the living room anymore.

[arpthark]

Around here they are holding value pretty well. Good players that are cosmetically challenged are going to around $1500... Nice lookers are north of $2K... My brass repair guy just sold one with about 50% lacquer wear on the body but completely de-dented and a nice shiny and relacquered bell for $2400.

"Mine" is on perpetual loan to me from a friend. He pretends he might want it back one day.. and I pretend he might get it back. We have agreed on a price of $1500 to be paid at some nebulous point in the "future". It is a good arrangement... I get to use it, maintain it, and slowly fix minor things for him. He gets it out from underfoot in his small house and his wife isn't bugging him about the tuba statue collecting dust in the living room anymore.

Thanks for the hands-on experience. I think, for some reason, these are more sought-after in the Midwest and it definitely seems like the street price on them has gone up.

[MiBrassFS]

I’m lucky in (many ways…) that my wife likes “tuba statues!”

[MiBrassFS]

I was looking for a date that Conn stopped using toothed seam bows (one of the 20J’s here has them). Didn’t find a definitive answer, but thought this was interesting. It mentions Conn’s claim of having the fastest valves.

https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn20J1961image.html

[arpthark]

Crysteel! Lustre-Conn! I love all those old proprietary names.

[arpthark]

Worth maybe watching this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205391032184?m ... media=COPY

[MiBrassFS]

Worth maybe watching this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205391032184?m ... media=COPY

Thanks for that. Another pretty big number and it’s not over yet…

[jose the tuba player]

Worth maybe watching this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205391032184?m ... media=COPY

Thanks for that. Another pretty big number and it’s not over yet…

These last few ebay 20js have gone for crazy money. Often times i see bidding wars started by people with almost no feedback, cant help but feel its a set up by the seller or something. It might be time to list my 20j and 21j and roll over into a more practical horn.

[MiBrassFS]

Worth maybe watching this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205391032184?m ... media=COPY

Relisted?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205402197311

[gocsick]

Yup... Guess buyer backed out. I wonder if they can actually ship it for the $129 quoted price.

[MiBrassFS]

Worth maybe watching this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205391032184?m ... media=COPY

Relisted?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205402197311

$1,111.00. Hopefully for the SA it stays sold and gets fixed up!

[MiBrassFS]

Well, if anyone is wanting a nice, vintage, satin silver 20J, I now have one sitting here.

(When I can get up enough steam, there will be a second one. The second isn’t in quite as good of condition, but will be completely presentable.)