TromboneChat

A friend has a 1954 Olds Recording straight tenor he wants to sell. It is mint. No dents, the slide is excellent, and the lacquer is nearly perfect - one small spot near the tuning slide.
He doesn’t know what to ask for it. What are these valued at? He’s looking for a fair price.

A Recording in such apparently good condition is rare. For the right buyer (not everyone likes Recordings, or any Olds trombones, as much as I do), perhaps $800-$1,000?

Would $1600 be a fair price?

Maxmore wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 11:50 am Would $1600 be a fair price?

Fair to the seller or the buyer?

Maxmore wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 11:50 amWould $1600 be a fair price?

If it was truly in mint condition, maybe. I wouldn't consider paying that kind of price unless I could inspect the instrument in person. For one thing, I'd want to get a good look at the inner surface of the inner slide tubes; there are lots of trombones that look pretty minty on the outside but have bores like twelve miles of bad road. I'd also expect the slide action to be 10/10 for that kind of money, with zero evidence of wear on the stockings. Finally, I'd want to play it. Any time you find an instrument that age that doesn't look like it it's been played much, you have to ask yourself why.

One thing that will impact the value is whether or not it's got the appropriate counterweight. Those things are pretty rare and don't come cheap.

If it is truly in excellent condition, especially the slide, I‘d think of it this way:

For someone who wants the sound and characteristics of an Olds Recording, it would be impossible to buy something identical in a new trombone, it would take several thousands of dollars with a boutique maker to even try and get close. For the right buyer who wants a recording in excellent condition, maybe that price is is fair, as long as time is on your side. If you want a quick sale, $1600 might be a bit too high but nothing stopping you listing it at that price and adjusting later if there‘s no interest.