An evaluation costs $15. If the instrument is worth cleaning and repairing, he will remove any major dents, replace worn pads, adjust keys and more to ensure that it’s in good, playable condition.
Some aren’t worth it, says Langellier. “On the other hand, some of the older instruments are better than what’s coming out today, including most of the (off brands) from overseas. People are paying bottom dollar for them, but they’re disposable instruments, not even repairable when they need work. The customer thinks he’s getting a good deal, but the instrument is such poor quality it’s actually harmful for the student.
“The right instrument is the one the kid says, ‘I want that one!’”
“It won’t play well, and it’s frustrating for the student. That’s the most important reason you should have the instrument checked out. If it’s not playing properly, nine times out of ten the kid will quit.” To know a good brand when you see it, used or new, compare brands across stores, and ask the players. For student trumpets, Hoagland likes Bach, Yamaha and Getzen, to name a few. A student Yamaha may retail at around $1,000, a Bach more than twice that. But an intermediate Getzen sells for around $800. To buy new, shop for features and service, not the name.
“Getzen trumpets are very nice, and a good value,” says Thacker. “They offer a silver-plated, step-up model, and use nickel-silver plated pistons. They wear better, handle better, are more resilient and more durable than softer Monel alloy pistons, which can stick and wear out quicker. They come with a lifetime guarantee.”
Hollywood Winds offers a nice intermediate alto saxophone that includes a high F-sharp key and several other features that make it much more advanced than a beginner student Yamaha or Selmer, says Thacker, and costs around $975. “For that money, we haven’t found anything to compare. It’s something a student can use through high school and be proud of, and not break the bank. “There are a lot of options out there for instruments that don’t cost as much, play great, last year after year and are made of good materials,” continues Thacker. “You can find replacement parts and repair them. That’s our big thing — that an instrument is mechanically sound and repairable if needed.”
Rather than purchasing an inferior instrument, and thinking “this will be good enough for now,” Thacker encourages parents to purchase quality features from the start.
“You want to give students every opportunity you can so they’ll enjoy playing music. They’ve got enough challenges in the beginning. The instrument should be the one thing helping to encourage their playing.”
One other important aspect of a new instrument purchase is follow-up service. Licensed Yamaha dealer Samuel Music, 3730 Wabash in Springfield, which carries primarily Yamaha and Jupiter lines in new instruments, honors manufacturers’ warranties, and offers an extended warranty covering accidental damage for $6 per month, says store manager Eric Dennis.
Carl’s Pro Band, in Bloomington, provides warranty service as well as including a free ultrasonic cleaning on brass instruments within the first year of purchase. This is approximately an $80 value that helps keep the instrument in top playing condition. For more information, visit www.carlsproband.com for details.
