Whether you’ve got some antiques that have been in your family for generations that you want to insure or are simply trying to offload a heap of old band instruments, figuring out what your items are worth can be a challenge. Here’s how to do it.

If you’re trying to figure out how much your used car is worth, you’d go to the Kelley Blue Book. For other used items, including instruments, the Orion Blue Book is your best bet. It’s not free, but if you’re trying to get the most accurate value for your instruments — especially antiques — you can’t do better than the Orion Blue Book. Do your research before you start searching. You can spend a lot of money on individual searches if you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for. 

Another option is to seek a professional appraisal from an auction house or other place that might have an appraiser on staff. If you’re planning to sell, you can often request a free estimate from your local auction house. If you work with an experienced appraiser, you’ll get the best and most accurate idea of what your instruments are worth. 

If you’ve got a local music store that you love to frequent, consider talking to the owner to see if they offer appraisals. If they don’t, they may still have some words of advice to help you figure out the value of your instruments. They often buy and sell these items all day long and have a pretty good idea of what one will go for on the market. 

If all else fails, there’s always the internet. You can find a lot of information on all sorts of topics, including a good idea of your instruments’ value. It might not be as accurate as some of the other choices on this list, but it’s a great way to start narrowing down your options. You can get a pretty clear picture of what you can expect if you plan to sell or want to insure your instruments. 

If you’re selling an instrument to a private party, you may be able to ask whatever price you want for it, depending on its value. If you’re selling it to a store or a reseller, expect to receive less. That’s because they need to be able to resell them and make a profit at a later date. 

There are many ways to figure out your musical instruments’ value, from browsing eBay to hiring a professional appraiser, depending on your needs. If selling is in the game plan, you may only need a ballpark appraisal, while if you need to insure your antique grand piano against damage or disaster, you may require a more accurate value. Regardless of your needs, all it takes is a little bit of research to figure out your instruments’ worth. 

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