Re: Big Tuba Price Reasons?


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Posted by Ray N on July 13, 2003 at 21:35:01:

In Reply to: Big Tuba Price Reasons? posted by Captain Small Horn on July 13, 2003 at 15:22:24:

Ok here's the answer;

It's a profit game.

Prices in the music industry have very little to do with complex cost pricing.Instruments are sold at "what the market will bare pricing".Take 3 trumpets the Bach TR300,TR200(step up) ML 180 pro
The differance in manufacturinig cost is probably less than $15(excluding the case). The differance in profit is $900.00. There is no reason why a $300 trumpet can't play like a $2000.00 trumpet.They both are made the same way with 3 valves a bell and some tubing.
Student instruments are purposly made to play badly.
That's how manufactures make money. No manufacturer is going to sell a great horn for a low price.It would distroy the industry.Manufacturers work on very low margins and need high priced, high end horns to turn a profit.They all try to make their instruments in series so that kids will move up the ladder every few years(more sales).Thats why the Bundy trumpet is now called Bach.
It has nothing to do with r+d,tooling or anything else.If there are customers stupid enough to pay $50,000 for a horn someone will sell them one. If somebody really wanted to they could make a great horn (in any size) for $3000.

Don't count on it.

Ray


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