Are copper prices effecting the cost of brass instruments?

[srsfallriver]

I actually started playing music as a trumpet player (back in the early 80's) but later switched to bass. I no longer play a brass instrument but I like to check this section of HC out occasionally anyway.

Though my first love is music, I have to pay the bills. I'm an electrician by day. Lately, copper prices have skyrocketed. First, I heard that it was because alot of wire was headed to New Orleans because of Katrina. Then I heard it was to compensate for inflated gas prices. Now I'm hearing that its a combination of some strike at a major copper mine and increased demand from China. Whatever the reason, a 250' coil of 14-2, that cost roughly $20 last year, now costs roughly $100.

I'm wondering, since brass is made with copper, have prices of brass instruments jumped as well. And if they have, could this have an impact on the number of future brass players?

[axe2 2001]

Not sure on the brass thing but i'm in HVAC, new construction and copper prices are just going nuts hey? A 50' line set for an air conditioner was around $80.00 2 months ago and now is around $175.00! We also do copper bay roofs. Sheet copper has trippled and is expected to quadruple!! You'd think anything made with copper is gonna go up.

[soundministries]

I've seen the music instrument prices go up a little bit in the last year but not nearly what I would have expected or have seen in other areas. The same tuba that I purchased last June has gone up about $200. As a music teacher and performer I'm always looking for good deals for myself (see my new horn thread), my students, and my school so I try to watch these things closely.

[sunburstbasser]

Some of the companies have raised prices, Bach's Strad prices have risen over the last 10 years fairly steadily. Now that the Bach employees are on strike, hard to say what will happen there at least.