Howdy All,
I'm giving very serious thought to selling both of my banjos - a Deering Deluxe and a Huber Jim Mills model.
Deering Deluxe (2004)
- Paid $2495.00 CAD (plus applicable taxes)
- Mint condition
- Very few hours on it
- No visible fret wear
- Physically, very clean
- Comes with Deering hardshell case
- Asking $1500.00 CAD
Simply because it's a Deering and not a Gibson or Huber, I don't expect to get top dollar for this banjo, but I'd like to get at least $1500.00 for it, which would be half of what I paid. It's a very good banjo, sounds great and the workmanship in it is second to none.
Huber Jim Mills (2007)
- Paid $5245.00 USD
- Was the last Huber banjo (or second to last) to have the Gibson shaped headstock before Gibson threatened a lawsuit against Huber banjos
- Rosewood fretboard
- Keith D-tuners (installed at factory) have only been "twisted" three times
- Signed by Jim Mils one day after receiving it (at a concert in Moncton, NB Canada)
- Mint condition
- Played 3 years
- No visible fret wear
- Physically, very clean
- Comes with Huber hardshell case
- Has not been played for 18 months
- Asking $5000.00 USD
Here is my thinking on the Huber banjo. For two reasons, I feel this banjo may very well be heading toward the "collectors items" list some day. The first reason is because I think it is going to be considered rare because it's going to be one of few Hubers (and one of the last) that have the Gibson shaped headstock. The second reason is because Huber no longer offers the Jim Mills model.
For these reasons, and the fact that this banjo is in absolute mint condition except for one mark on the back of the resonator which was put there by someone else's belt buckle, I don't feel I should have to give this banjo away.
I'm asking for $5000.00 which many may say is ridiculous since they could buy a new Huber for a bit more, but can you? All of the Huber prices have been increased by approximately $500.00, plus the D-tuners were an additional $250.00 and, I had to pay taxes (over $800.00 in my case) which you will not have to pay.
That's my basic thinking. Am I out to lunch?
People always seem to be interested in why you are selling; I've never had a great amount of dexterity and now I'm becoming arthritic to boot. These banjos should be played by somebody.
Regards,
Michael Floyd