Posted by Ken H on July 14, 2002 at 00:31:56:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: pricing perspectives posted by Sean Chisham on July 14, 2002 at 00:03:38:
To a fair degree, I can now agree with you Sean - your first post seemed to question the supposed high cost of the better makes in general - something I have covered somewhat above.
Get this.......A year ago when it looked like Roger Woodward and I had our conservatory project as a goer, I did some pricing on tubas. A 52J imported from one of our fellow BBSers would have cost me (the school that is) about Aus$14,000 with case in my ot little hands. The one local "dealer" wanted Aus$21,000 with no case.
SO yes, I can go along with the idea that some dealers are just plain bloody greedy, but still feel that a quality, hand made instrument is worth some big bucks. Hey, for the most part a bassoon can be assembled sitting down. A tuba requires a lot of damned hard physical work as well as the skill.
Just another Aus$0.02 = US$0.012 (approx) (less 10% tax and bank fees)
Ken