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Tricky205 New Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2020 Posts: 2
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:21 pm Post subject: Seeking info. on Value of a 1983 Courtois C Cornet |
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My mother recently gave me a Courtois C Cornet that my grandfather drove from Michigan to purchase in Minnesota in 1983. My grandfather was self taught (he lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan), and he wanted a C Cornet (that has a piece that can convert it to a B flat) because he played with his friend who played the piano. When I was a kid, I recall spending hours listening to him play his cornet when we visited him from South Carolina
In 1985, my grandfather died in a motorcycle accident and his cornet has not been played since then. He was very meticulous about his musical instruments, and inside the case he kept the original paperwork as well as the recipients showing he paid $300 down to order the cornet and another $592.50, when he picked it up. $892.50 in 1993 was like $2,000 today due to inflation, but I do not know whether these decreases in value over time, like a car or do they gain in value.
I have researched the Courtois company on line, and I have even called the owner of the music store in Minnesota where he purchased the cornet , but there is not a whole lot of information out there regarding value.
Any information anyoine could sharew with me wwoujde be greatly appreciated.! |
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scottfsmith Veteran Member
Joined: 27 Jun 2015 Posts: 475 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:18 am Post subject: |
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That is a bit of an odd duck as Courtois is not making cornets anymore and there is not much demand for C cornets; also Courtois is not a brand many people in the US think of now when they think of getting a cornet. So it is hard to say what it would go for, it is an excellent instrument and C is unusual but there is little demand.
If I were selling it on eBay I would start with a Buy it Now of $750 but expect it would go for $500 in the end. _________________ Thane Standard Large Bb / Monette Unity B6-7M mpc
Lots of vintage trumpets and mouthpieces |
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Andy Del Heavyweight Member
Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 2669 Location: sunny Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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I have played these cornets and this is going to effect the value. Unfortunately, the three I tried were not great, pitch was very ordinary, like a bad C trumpet.
The Getzen, Schilke and Kanstul examples are far better instruments and command a good price. Unless it were a collector with a specific need to meet, most will pass if you go much past the suggested $500. _________________ so many horns, so few good notes... |
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Tricky205 New Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2020 Posts: 2
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 3:05 am Post subject: |
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That is a bit of an odd duck as Courtois is not making cornets anymore and there is not much demand for C cornets; also Courtois is not a brand many people in the US think of now when they think of getting a cornet. So it is hard to say what it would go for, it is an excellent instrument and C is unusual but there is little demand.
If I were selling it on eBay I would start with a Buy it Now of $750 but expect it would go for $500 in the end.
A long night of horrible weather tonightI Blew some so we pay him later!!! we decided to goa walk1 eh[/quote][/b] |
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James Becker Heavyweight Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 2827 Location: Littleton, MA
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:47 am Post subject: |
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As a rule of thumb, a good place to start is 2/3 of new less the cost of repair. In this case there’s no new Courtois C cornets to compare. As others have suggested, eBay sales history can be a good reference for what the market will bear. Perhaps putting it on consignment with a reputable brass shop like Rich Ida’s Brass or Dillon Music that are known for these types of instrument sales. Your last resort is to role the dice and list it on eBay. Good luck! _________________ James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com
Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US |
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TrumpetMD Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 2436 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 7:13 am Post subject: |
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Lots of helpful replies here. Here are my thoughts.
I agree that $500 seems like a reasonable amount, maybe a bit more or less. It sounds like your grandfather purchased it new, which might be a plus for a motivated collector.
If you sell it on consignment, don't forget to account for the consignment fee and the cost shipping the horn to the shop (assuming the shop isn't local).
You can sell it on eBay, as already noted. You can also try to sell it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TrumpetsForSale
Are there any local shops with good reputations close by? That's where I might start. Maybe they can take a look at it and help you come up with a price.
Maybe post a few pics of the horn here. That might help to generate some interest.
Mike _________________ Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Bach Stradivarius 184 Cornet (1988), Yamaha 13E4 Mouthpiece
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns. |
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HaveTrumpetWillTravel Heavyweight Member
Joined: 30 Jan 2018 Posts: 1023 Location: East Asia
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TrumpetMD Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 2436 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 9:01 am Post subject: |
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HaveTrumpetWillTravel wrote: | I was surprised to see that I think the OP has this listed on reverb for $3000! Wonder if they'll get asking price. |
It's understandable, especially if you don't understand the market. Very few used trumpet/cornets increase in value, or even hold their value.
Reminds me of a nice guy, selling a Bach NY-era cornet. He got a lot of unrealistic advice on the horn's value. I told him it was worth about $600-$800. He declined. After not getting any offers even close to what he wanted, he sold it to me.
Mike _________________ Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Bach Stradivarius 184 Cornet (1988), Yamaha 13E4 Mouthpiece
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns. |
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James Becker Heavyweight Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 2827 Location: Littleton, MA
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:06 am Post subject: |
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After a quick Google search this is what I’ve been able to come up with. Courtois no longer offers trumpets and cornets, however they make flugelhorns, trombones and Saxhorns. So if the average price of a three valve Courtois flugelhorn sells for about $3600 on WWBW, then 2/3 of new is about $2400. Assuming from the OP’s photos on Reverb it’s mint, then $3000.00 is not as unrealistic as some here believe. This gives him wiggle room to negotiate from there. _________________ James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com
Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US |
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benlewis Heavyweight Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 1019 Location: Memphis, TN
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:12 am Post subject: |
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A friend of mine has one similar to this; I'm not sure of the model. It played okay with careful mouthpiece selection. However, it was definitely inferior to the Getzen I owned for a while.
Not to highjack the thread, but I thought anyone following this thread would be interested to know about the CarolBrass C cornet. I bought one as a bit of a whim and it has turned out to be a very fine instrument. Great sound and intonation; the only real complaint I have with the horn are the "ergonomic" first and third valve rings. I can't yet remark on how it will hold up, but let's be realistic; even for those of us who have made a living playing, the sheer amount of time spent on a horn like this is not a real concern, compared to a workhouse Bb or C trumpet...
HTH
Ben |
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