f8andbthere2

I'm the proud owner of a 1956 Conn Constellation 38 B. I originally bought it for my son to play (please, no groans). I now realize that this instrument is meant to be in the hands of a pro, not a sixth grader. It's meant to make music. Anyway, he choose drums, so I'm thinking I'll contact the local university music department to see if the local professor or students would want it.

I've examined it really closely and I don't see any evidence of dents (amazing for an instrument of this vintage). It definitely has wear in the laquer and the brass, especially in the areas you grip. The slides all seem to be free. Valves work pretty well, too.

I'd love to restore it's appearance to it's former glory with a new laquer and replate job, but I may leave that to the next owner.

Do you have a suggestion on how I should find it a new home?

f8andbthere2

OK, any help on this question. Who would you recommend for a restoration job?

screamingmorris

That trumpet is worth anywhere from $500 to $1,000 depending on condition, based on what they have sold for on eBay.

There is a place right here in Trumpet Master in which you can put it up for sale and include photos in the ad:

http://www.trumpetmaster.com/classifieds/

A.N.A. Mendez

Where did you find it? Was it a bargain? Does it have the original case? Any paperwork? If you put it on ebay it should bring what it is worth. Good luck.

f8andbthere2

A.N.A.,
Thanks much. Yes, it was a bargain, garage sale find. My son was going to play either trumpet or drums. I picked up a trumpet and a snare at two different garage sales rather than go the instrument rental route.

Side note: The snare turned out to be a classic 1971 Ludwig Supraphonic that most major recording studios have at least one of. So, I ended up with two incredible instruments. I'm not an expert in percussion or brass, but my musical background paid for the first two years of college till I switched majors. My son went with drums and I'm going to sell the trumpet.

The laquer and nickel is quite worn in many places, but the condition of the horn is pretty amazing otherwise. Valves seem to very responsive and I really can't find any dents, though there surely must be after all these years. All of the slides move easily. The case is not original. No paperwork.

I'm hoping to sell it somewhere between the extremes mentioned above. Would you guys prefer that I start with a classified here?