Posted by Steve Bloom on September 06, 2000 at 23:16:59:
In Reply to: Grand Rapids York posted by Dale on September 05, 2000 at 21:35:36:
I agree with tubalew. I have a front action GR York Eb with a 19-1/2 bell. It's been completely restored and is an excellent player. The only caveat is that the low end (below C under the staff) is weak and similar to a German rotary Eb or F. That is typical of these older horns. I paid $400 for mine and then another $1,300 for complete reatoration. I couldn't replace it, and I never want to. If your horn has no holes, cracks, or patches it's worth at least $500 as is. Don't fall for these guys who want to buy it for a song and convert it to a CC or an F...there are too few of the old Yorks left.York serials are hard to trace, but yours was probably made between 1908 and 1915. Also, does it have the patented "piggy" loop that gave it low pitch/high pitch (neither of which really is modern A=440). Bottom line--keep it and sell that *%#(AT)! Mirafone!