Yes, this is unfortunately the current asked price for a JCR bell nowadays.I've seen several being offered to that price. And even more.
Unless you are a (rich) and passionate collector, you don't necessarily need to buy it. Several collectors are even not necessarily musicians and make the prices jump in an indecent way. And would be able to sell their own mother to buy a rare pearl.
You can't even imagine what Vergara, Junior and even Skin On Skin congas can go for.
I have been lucky enough to play on a JCR cowbell sometimes (the "halfmoon" model) and was quite satisfied with it. But I couldn't afford it. I play what I can find and afford.
I have a great respect for Cali (JCR founder and boss) and his co-workers (some of them whom I happen to know virtually, having had a few conversations with them via Facebook pages), but I wouldn't want to have to sell my car, my house, my wife and kids + the cat (I'd try to keep my dog nevertheless
) to afford one of his bells. There furthermore seem to have some custom duties to add to the price and the shipping costs.
The JCR bongó I own was sold to an unbelievable low price, because the seller never played it (it was a gift from her ex-husband) and wanted to get rid of it (yes !) to make a little money to switch to another instrument. For once, I was the right man at the right moment. I recently saw someone posting he bought a similar set at 1.100 or 1.200 $. He absolutely wanted them and accepted the price. No critic here, to each their own. Everybody does what they want with their money. If you can afford it, buy it.
I've been told and have read several times that JCR bells are not all good. I can't confirm nor invalidate this statement, knowing only the model I had the opportunity to play a long time ago. But I know for sure there are now many good brands (not necessarily the "heavy weights" LP, Meinl or Pearl) which you can find for very interesting prices.
And instruments should be tested before you buy them, as much as possible (says the guy who bought a lot of instruments at distance...
)