one of the reasons I love my BIG Dodge van is so I can cart off treasures immediately. I have a metal office desk worth $200-300 or so that was set on the curb for the trash men...and many other items...chairs, dressers...etc...

but musical instruments? well..*grin*...was in an antique shop about 18 years ago (furniture, lamps..etc.) in a back room, on a table, was a square wooden case. Inside was a muscial instrument with lots of strings..I went back to the owner and asked about it.

"Waaall", he drawled..."that's a zither, and I know what I've got in it...I'd have to have $18 for it!"

"Hmmm.." says I, "That's about all the money I have with me, and I need to buy gas later, and it does have some water damage...perhaps..."

"Nope", he says.."Can't come down on it...I got to have $18"

"Ah, well...ok, then" says I, "Maybe I can do something with it...I guess I can go to the bank later for gas money"

So I paid him for the "zither" and walked out....with my turn-of-the-century Zimmerman autoharp with original decal and strings. Was offered about $400 for it soon after. Still have it.