If you are in London...

[uillmann]

An old grey Soprani for sale

http://london.craigslist.co.uk/msg/1538861890.html

[StevieJ]

I wouldn't go near this. The wording is exactly the same, down to the bit about woodworm, as that on a whole series of ads on eBay over the past year or so, all of which turned out to be scams.

[MTGuru]

Out of curiosity ... If it is/were legit, would that be a considered a reasonable price (£2900), especially needing an overhaul? Seems high to me, even for a PS. Shouldn't red fetch more than grey?

[uillmann]

3k GBP is, of course, way out of proportion to what these instruments are worth, I think. Granted, they can be great sounding and playing, but lately the aesthetic trend seems to be leaning towards the wood encased and drier voiced Saltarelles and such. The aluminum grilled greys are mighty hard to come by these days, and they command ridiculous prices for a 60 year old instrument that may be all but useless. They can, and have been, nicely restored. (Check out the sound of Billy McComisky's old box!) The reds followed later, and don't quite bring the astronomical prices that the greys do, but they are supposedly pretty good too. The later "flower grille" instruments were made after the company was sold, I think. The "horseshoe" grill has never been particularly popular. I don't know much about the reissued grey Soprani's, but like most things, originals fetch an unlikely premium. I attribute this partly to traditional musicians liking things that are traditional, and partly to good workmanship, partly to crazed speculation. There is a red 2 coupler I'm guessing is from the late 60's or early 70's on Ebay at the moment, and I am betting it goes for at least 1500 US. That would be great for someone who is looking for one like that, because a new Saltarelle is probably going to cost a good bit more.

Anyway, if someone in London met the seller during the daytime in a pub or something, and it looked and played okay, I don't see a problem with the purchase, provided you aren't afraid of carrying around that kind of cash. Park right outside the door, and don't get followed, use common sense, etc.

[StevieJ]

Anyway, if someone in London met the seller during the daytime in a pub or something, and it looked and played okay, I don't see a problem with the purchase, provided you aren't afraid of carrying around that kind of cash.

The problem is that the person doing the advertising doesn't have the instrument. He has copied the text of an ad that appeared on eBay and has been reproducing it word for word in different ad spaces for months and months now. People on the forums over at melodeon.net have been gleefully spotting this fictitious instrument's reappearance every now and again for the past year or so. Have a look: http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php?topic=1523.20

The price is actually well within what an instrument like that, in that condition, would fetch on eBay. IIRC one in good condition fetched £8K in the past year, amazing as it may seem. As well as being prized by many top players, they are collectors' items (like old Jeffries anglo concertinas), and in that light comparing them with the value of Saltarelles etc. as instruments to be played is irrelevant.

No, MTG, reds - even the best ones from the early 1960s - won't fetch anything like the price of a 1940s-1950s grey (or black) one like those played by Billy McComiskey, Tony MacMahon, Charlie Harris and co.

[MTGuru]

No, MTG, reds - even the best ones from the early 1960s - won't fetch anything like the price of a 1940s-1950s grey (or black) one like those played by Billy McComiskey, Tony MacMahon, Charlie Harris and co.

Live and learn. My continuing education as a connoisseur of Mother of Toilet Seat.

[uillmann]

Anyway, if someone in London met the seller during the daytime in a pub or something, and it looked and played okay, I don't see a problem with the purchase, provided you aren't afraid of carrying around that kind of cash.

The problem is that the person doing the advertising doesn't have the instrument. He has copied the text of an ad that appeared on eBay and has been reproducing it word for word in different ad spaces for months and months now. People on the forums over at melodeon.net have been gleefully spotting this fictitious instrument's reappearance every now and again for the past year or so. Have a look: http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php?topic=1523.20

The price is actually well within what an instrument like that, in that condition, would fetch on eBay. IIRC one in good condition fetched £8K in the past year, amazing as it may seem. As well as being prized by many top players, they are collectors' items (like old Jeffries anglo concertinas), and in that light comparing them with the value of Saltarelles etc. as instruments to be played is irrelevant.

No, MTG, reds - even the best ones from the early 1960s - won't fetch anything like the price of a 1940s-1950s grey (or black) one like those played by Billy McComiskey, Tony MacMahon, Charlie Harris and co.

I didn't know this was an ongoing scam, and don't really follow boxes much, but I've just been looking around lately for one to make noise with. I wonder how the scammer is supposed to get you to fork over money if they don't have an instrument? I thought that was the point of Craigslist. Maybe they are more ruthless scum and will just violently jack you for your cash when you show up and all they have with them is a grocery bag with a 38cal. in it.

[mutepointe]

aw, the posting expired. didn't leave a next of kin or nothing.