Might part with my Vito C-Melody

[mosplace]

I might have to part with my beautiful horn. But I don't have the slightest idea, what to ask for it.

The collectors under you know, that it is a very seldom instrument. Mine is in mint condition and the only one i know of, that is still around. Never saw another one.

What do you think would be a reasonable price for it?

Pictures are under www.simplysax.de/Vito.htm

[cmelodysax]

Mo - I can only think that no-one knows the answer, but I thought I'd be polite and reply anyway.

Really difficult, as there hasn't been anything like it before, to compare with, as far as I can remember ? It's the sort of sax that needs a serious player who will appreciate it, or a collector - rather than risk getting a good price on ebay.

Still thinking..........

Kind Regards, Alan.

[mosplace]

Alan,

thanks for your reply. Yes, that's the mess I'm in. What can I ask for it? I hate the thought of selling it. But if I have to, I want a good price for it. But what is a good price? Questions, questions, question.......:?

[Dave dix]

The problem with c melodies is the lack of exposure in modern music. They are great horns and i often use my conn c mel for r,roll. It should be worth a lot more then the going rate (possibly around $400-500)
Dave

[chitownjazz]

Alan,

thanks for your reply. Yes, that's the mess I'm in. What can I ask for it? I hate the thought of selling it. But if I have to, I want a good price for it. But what is a good price? Questions, questions, question.......:?
Ideally you could put it on eBay and let the market decide what it's worth. Funny thing though, even though eBay is a global, easily-accessible market, I don't know if it's an "efficient" one in the economic sense.

Gorgeous horn by the way. How does it play?

[chitownjazz]

Also any idea when it was built? It's very modern looking for a C melody horn.

[chitownjazz]

OK, I plugged the description from your site into the Google translator. I got the general idea. I take it "S-elbow" is "neck".

[bruce bailey]

Since no one else is guessing at the value, I would say a minimum of $1,200. This is based on the rarity and possible more modern approach to a C. If it were mine, I WOULD put it on ebay with a reserve of $1,800 and a Buy it Now of $3,500. You never know!

[cmelodysax]

Mo - for a short while before you list it on ebay (if you do...), give it maximum "Selling Soon" exposure on all the C-mel and sax forums, plus a big 'banner' on saxwelt, simplysax etc.

I've got a link to it on my site, but I'd also be very happy to put something on the front-page about it - you just never know who is looking ! I'd also be tempted to approach whoever has 'Vito' now and see if they wanted to buy it back for their 'museum' - if they have one - worth a try.

Bruce's reserve and BIN prices are good - why not try it on ebay with just a high BIN at first ? All you have to lose is the listing fees ? It might just find that rich collector........ And it will certainly stir up interest .

Another possibility is to sell it 'on commission' through one of the US specialist dealers - but that would probably mean sending it to them, and maybe narrow your options.

[mosplace]

Hi ya'll, first of all I want to appologize for my late reply. Thanks for your help and your opinions.

I will first try to sell it here on SOTW, since here are realy people that know the value of such a horn. It's available in the marketplace.

[saxfreak]

Also any idea when it was built? It's very modern looking for a C melody horn.
That was my impression also.

[Pete]

"When built" is 1960's.

I've got a link to it on my site, but I'd also be very happy to put something on the front-page about it - you just never know who is looking ! I'd also be tempted to approach whoever has 'Vito' now and see if they wanted to buy it back for their 'museum' - if they have one - worth a try.
There are two Leblanc (the owners of Vito) horns in my 2006 calendar formerly from the Leblanc museum. One would think that Leblanc is not interested in buying more stuff if they had just sold stuff, particularly if they were getting rid of prototypes!

It is possible that Conn-Selmer -- who now own Leblanc -- would have a museum of their own, but I think it's more "virtual" than anything (cf. Selmer Paris' online gallery).

Value? I'd have to guess, myself. There were no more than a couple hundred of these made and I've only seen one other besides this -- and that was a black-and-white pic in some ancient magazine. My opinion is that they're probably worth a little more than a Leblanc System alto. Just an opinion, tho: those were produced in a very small quantity and by the same company, but have a little more "utility".

(Yes, you can send me a check for driving up the horn's value. I 'preciate it.)

[mosplace]

chinatownjazz and saxfreak. It was produced sometimes in the 60ies. I heard that ca. 120 of them where produced and only 18 have been sold.