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Paul Douglass

Paul Douglass

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4,992
Location
S E Washington State
I don't know where to put this but here is my dilemma. I had a visitor today, and he asked to see my shop and woodworking. I took him on a tour. During the process, I showed him my street organ, and he was really impressed with it. He took pictures and video of it playing. When he was leaving he asked what I would sell it for. I have no idea.... It has 7 rolls of music, a tuner, the pattern and also a pattern for a Busker, Universal and pattern for another organ that was not a John Smith pattern, on a cart I built and a monkey.... I don't want to make money really, and my time I guess is free. I just have no clue what to ask. Neither of my kids or other family members seem to want it. So....well I just have no idea. It pretty much sits now, I play it maybe 3 times a year. I think he is wanting to know for his brother, not himself. His brother is an organ fan. I would love to see it have a home with some on that appreciates such things... $500, $1000 less, more?? I would not take less than $500, I will give it to a friend first, whether he wants it or not...
 
Paul Douglass said:
I will give it to a friend first, whether he wants it or not...
Click to expand...

:rofl: :rofl: I've done that..

I guess I'd poke around and see if I could figure out the going prices are. I'm guessing $2k or maybe a bit north of that would be a "fair" price based on a very cursory perusal. There's some "appreciates such things" deduction I could see throwing in.

Gussied up Topsy 3 design - $6k seems maybe a smidge high? - http://www.diabolus.org/workshop/street-organ/street-organ.htm
Call for prices - https://www.deleika.de/en/street-organs/music-strips.php
Also they sell used which might be closer: https://www.deleika.de/en/street-organs/used-street-organs.php
Various - http://www.melright.com/busker/adverts.htm - you can get historical snapshots of that site for some of the SOLD ones here: https://web.archive.org/web/2019*/http://www.melright.com/busker/adverts.htm
Many links http://mechanicalorganownerssociety.weebly.com/links.html
 
Thanks, Ryan. I have poked around, and it seems that street organs in the US are, well are not a big item and even less so on the west coast as opposed to the east coast. So,,, I think it well boil down to what I am willing. and I do not know, "feel" what I think. It is sad to me that what I feel is my most awesome accomplishment, in the wood working world,,,, is probably, not worth much. Ahhh such is life.
 
Don't sell yourself (or the organ) short. ;) You may feel your time is free, but your skills should always warrant a good price. Just off the top of my head, I'd think anything less than $1000 would be too little. (And double that amount might not be out of line.)
 
Well Paul, I think if you put the value in the journey there was a ton of worth in it :thumb:

I'd also add in the value the rest of us got from your journey :)

So I guess it depends on where you want to put the value proposition.
 
Know where you are coming from, I have been trying to sell my John Smith “Topsy lll “ for 3 years now. It is MIDI 100 pipes. It is too heavy for me to take out by myself as it is about 100 lbs. I have built a 31 note MIDI ( 43 lbs ) that I now use. It was on e-bay got 650 views but no serious inquires. It is also listed in the COAA journal “ Carousel Organ” for 1 year. I have about $800 - $900 is parts invested in it and can’t get any offers, I have been asking $3,900. No market for a handmade organ. My kids don’t want it so it has been sitting in my office doing nothing.
 
Paul, these organs are so unique it makes them difficult to sell. I’ve found that those interested in street organs are one of two types. Those that want a professional built organ (usually from Germany) or those that want to build one for themselves.
I would like to think that your organ (and mine) is worth at least $1000.00 but finding someone willing to spend that is very difficult.


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