Posted by Mark on June 20, 2002 at 09:50:31:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Value of a 5/4 Willson BBb used? posted by Hammerin' Hank on June 20, 2002 at 06:53:30:
Henry-Hank:
The price difference you mention is only indirectly linked to the key the horns are in;
A manufacturer can recoup his engineering/tooling/production/marketing costs much quicker in the BBb school market, where many more horns are sold per buck of manufacturer's investment.
Additionally, the 52/56j had much more research & development up front than needed for the 2341, and it has the extra valve which adds greatly to labor and parts costs in the production of the horn, and also some special tooling for the larger bore fourth valve.
The engineering costs for the original 2341 were recovered decades ago. Contrary to the claims of some, the 56J doesn't use retapered stock 2341 branches. The tapers between the bottom bow and the main slide are new tooling with different tapers.
Rick Denny wrote a pretty exhaustive thread on this topic a while back. I can't seem to find it at the moment.
I think we can all agree that we would love to get good new CC's for the price of new BBb's, But most would also agree that the going price for either of these UMI horns is very favorable in their respective markets.
Mark "What Rick said" Mazak