French horn stock just went down another 10 pts.

January 11, 2006 5:38 PM

I'm trying to sell my french horn.

I have a Holton Farkas H379 French Horn in excellent condition that I've been trying to sell. I listed it once on ebay and once on craigslist and got no response. I've seen others sell on ebay for good prices that were listed at the same time as mine. Mine was listed with extras and had a pretty good ad design as well. In addition, I was selling it around back to school when kids would be needing band instruments.

I think I want to try and sell it locally in Austin or Houston, but again I have no idea how or where to do so. I'm trying to save some money to upgrade my keyboard rig! Thanks for any and all tips!

posted by mr.dan to work & money (5 comments total)

A local music store might buy it from you or sell it on consignment. I'd shop around to see how much the different stores would give me for it.
posted by Evstar at 5:45 PM on January 11, 2006

Evstar, I haven't found any stores that are willing to sell it. If someone could suggest one in Austin or Houston, I would be more than happy to try.

I'm almost sure there's someplace in Austin (known for its music culture) that will do it, but I can't find it.

French Horns aren't a very popular instrument because of their price and difficulty and zero-cool factor, and as such they are difficult to sell. Stores like H&H or any of the BMMG stores only sell instruments that have gone through their rental program.
posted by mr.dan at 5:58 PM on January 11, 2006

Hey mr.dan!

As a horn player, here are my recommendations;

Try the free classifieds on HornPlayer.net.

Also, while you're on there, check out the Teacher Listings in your area. Call up (or email) the teachers and let them know about the horn. They can be great resources for selling instruments, since usually parents want to take a teacher's recommendation on a horn. If there is a college or university in your area with a music program, you could get ahold of the horn professor, also.

As a last resort, you could get in contact with local band/orchestra programs and see if they have any ideas... Good luck with this!
posted by fireflies to stars at 6:43 PM on January 11, 2006

price and difficulty and zero-cool factor

Zero-cool? No, we hornists are just so cool that it's beyond the comprehension of those who play other instruments. You're forgiven. It's a common misconception.

As it sounds like this is a decent instrument, I heartily second fireflies to stars's suggestion to get in touch with local horn teachers and/or professors. These folks are teaching the people who constitute one of your largest markets, and they also tend to be really well networked, so if they can't help you sell your horn, they might know who can.
posted by musicinmybrain at 7:15 PM on January 11, 2006

Have you also considered the possibility that it may just take some time? Try relisting the ebay auction until you get some bites -- it should be free if there were no bids. Craigslist posts last for what 10 days? So just keep listing it...
posted by Rhomboid at 3:04 AM on January 12, 2006