[HAM] Want to make an offer

[Dave Bishop]

Nick:  The better question seems to be what are you willing to pay.  Then
offer your lowball $200 and be ready to walk away from the deal if
negotiations get above your final figure.


I like to figure backward from the usual price for a B3 in good condition.
The BV case alone, if in good condition or if re-finished, is worth
$500-1,500 to the right person.  If you  are planning to keep and play this
instrument, then figure adding $220 to buy a TrekII percussion unit.  If you
have to have smooth drawbars, add another $350 or so to your investment. The
cost/ benefit of adding split vibrato to a BV is not good, unless you are
also switching to smooth drawbars.   A general cleanup will cost around $50
for supplies.  You will probably decide to re-cap the preamp and run new
power lines for safety.  There is $30 in that if you do it yourself.
Figure your time investment at about $10 an hour.  If you are going to pay
someone else to do the work for you, then the sky is the limit so far as the
cost of reconditioning.  After figuring your costs to "create" a B-3, think
about what B-3 features (and costs) you are willing to forgo to have a
"just" BV, and think about the price/benefits of clones as an alternative .
Once you make an "apples to apples" comparison, you should be able to get a
handle on the dollar amount at which you should walk away from this BV in
the theatre.

Some people, such as me, like the sound of our BV as much or more than a B-3
(and there is a difference).  The BV cabinet is just great eye-candy.
However, the keys on my A-100 feel better, an issue that becomes more
important to you if you are going to keep this BV and play it.  Anything can
be repaired for a price.

Here is a list of things I have found wrong with organs I have been looking
at recently, which I have used to justify the price I am offering.
Sometimes explaining why an organ will cost so much to fix helps the seller
accept a lower price.

frozen tone generator
run motor won't stay on
missing tones
dead keys
dead presets
uneven keys
yellowed keys
poor/defective repairs
wiggly keys
dead or missing pedal tones
scratchy sound
widening joints indicating a crack inside the case
motorboating vibrato
dust,  dirt, case marks, sun fade, veneer lifting
missing parts
frayed wiring, ugly tubes

Cash in hand and a van for immediate pickup will often seal a lowball deal
on the spot.

I think BVs are wonderful instruments, and much more valuable than a CV.
While I wouldn't pay $2,500 for one that needs a lot of work, I might go
that high for a BV re-worked by someone who knew what they were doing and
would support their sale.

Regards,

Dave Bishop