Opera Value Opinion

[USlakeside]

I am in conversation with the owner of this Opera. They were told it was worth 6000 in present condition, a few years ago. It has been refinished, the motor wont run, and obviously the bedplate and copper parts are wrong. I don't know about the side handles, the horn neck and so on, or if there is a decal on the horn. I know 6000 is way, way too high, but what would you say its worth presently, based on what you have here? Thanks

[USlakeside]

I also know with certainty it doesn't happen to by a Edison School model in an opera case.

[gramophone78]

Asking the value of a machine is really a difficult question. It's worth really is what the seller and buyer agree on. It really is that simple. In your case however.....I would want to try and get it a cheap as you can in order to maximize your profit on Ebay. How ever that is just my opinion .

[52089]

A pretty nice Opera, missing the lid, went for $3700 or so at the end of March on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EDISON-OPERA-3R ... 35ba8a7310

Having said that, the price is going to vary widely depending on condition, completeness, etc. The fact that the one you're looking at has the wrong paint and the wrong mandrel, to me, is pretty significant. The condition of the horn is also important, as is the condition of the elbow. There are Operas on ebay now for $7000, but IMHO that's pretty excessive.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

[USlakeside]

I was using this Opera on ebay as a starting point in my mind. I was thinking that to have the bedplate restored and the copper oxidized properly is quite costly. Has anyone had that kind of work done to an opera bedplate?

[gramophone78]

Unless some else can recommend a better person.....I would suggest you ask David Teti. I don't think you can do better then that.

[Valecnik]

I've heard that David Teti does fantastic work but that he's very expensive. You pay for quality.

The only way I'd be happy with this machine is if I had the case once again refinished in the proper tone, bedplate redone, pin striped, parts properly redone with gold wash, oxidised and gun metaled mandrel(the Opera is a mixture of these). I can't imagine he'd do all that for less than $1500, possibly much more. If there are mechanical problems, depending on what they are, you could be facing quite a bill there too...

[Jerry B.]

USLakeside asked for a value on this machine and provided good photos so I'll throw out a figure of $2500 to $3000. I say that from the perspective of a collector that already has a mahogany Opera so I would not be too interested unless it's cheap. How many of you would buy it for $3000? Jerry Blais

[Phonofreak]

I was using this Opera on ebay as a starting point in my mind. I was thinking that to have the bedplate restored and the copper oxidized properly is quite costly. Has anyone had that kind of work done to an opera bedplate?

Steve Farmer does excellent work on restoring Operas. His copper oxidising and bedplate striping is superb. He is located in Grants Pass OR. PM me if you want his information.
Harvey Kravitz

[gramophone78]

USLakeside asked for a value on this machine and provided good photos so I'll throw out a figure of $2500 to $3000. I say that from the perspective of a collector that already has a mahogany Opera so I would not be too interested unless it's cheap. How many of you would buy it for $3000? Jerry Blais

I'm sure there are people that would pay 6000.00. I can also assume others would pay 600.00. Since you would would not buy it "unless it's cheap"......what's cheap??. Again, it really is what is agreed by both parties and both walk away happy with the deal. I'm under the impression that uslakeside prefers to re-sell and therefore it would be in his best interest to buy it as "cheap" as he can. Again, this is only my opinion.
Other forums (like radio) discourage offering values on items to members asking.