Being passionate about music is not enough when you want to become the best. Hard work, dedication and investment in musical instruments make the perfect recipe for a successful musician. When entering a music store or when purchasing one from the Internet, make sure you pay attention to details and ask for help when needed. Focus on what your needs are and then look out for the available brands and prices.
Here are 10 useful tips to take into account when purchasing a new musical instrument.
1. Choose Quality
Even if you pay more now on a new expensive instrument, you will actually save more money in the long run. When needing a guide to help you choose this kind of instrument, you can always ask for expert advice. Let’s say you are in the run for a digital piano. Search for online expert guides or websites that will help you find the best product. DigitalPianoExpert is a very useful source of information when it comes to these kind of instruments. The new instrument won’t need repairs for at least a few years. It is possible that if you do not buy a high quality instrument now, you will purchase another one much sooner than you planned.
2. Budget
This is the hardest part. When you have already fallen in love with an instrument, the price may be the only thing that can stop you from fulfilling your dream of purchasing it. Do not be afraid to make an offer. This is just like buying a house or a car. You can negotiate the price and try to do your best to obtain a discount or a great deal.
3. Try Second-Hand Gear
If you still cannot afford that high-quality instrument, do not exclude the possibility of buying used gear. You can find great instruments in very good shape. This is one of the best ways to save money when trying to practice your talent. Therefore, do not be afraid to search on eBay and Amazon because you can find quality products at an excellent price. Furthermore, you should also check local pawn shops. Some of them may have a wide variety of instruments. Look at their gear and decide on the right one for you.
4. Noise Implications
If you live in a small apartment in a block of flats, purchasing an electric guitar might not be a good investment. You can only do this in case you have a place where you can practice. Otherwise, your neighbors may be bothered by the rehearsals. If you still do not want to give up on the idea of purchasing such an instrument, you should first consider investing in a soundproofed room. This way, you will avoid any inconvenience.
5. Try Renting
Aside from purchasing second-hand gear, there is always the option of renting an instrument. This will also help you figure out how much you like that instrument and how dedicated you are. If it turns out that you really love it and you can play it really well, it might be time to think about investing in your passion.
6. Get Insurance
It is best to make sure that everything works as planned and you don’t experience unpleasant surprises. If you purchase an instrument that has a great insurance policy, you will know for sure that you have your back in case the delivery service brings the musical instrument in a bad shape. This insurance is worth every penny since it covers every form of damage.
7. Find Out the Story
When purchasing a musical instrument second-hand, make sure you ask the owner to send you some photos in addition to the ones found online. This way, you will see whether it has any scratches or defects before buying it. Furthermore, you should also ask the owner to tell you the story of his or her instrument. If you find a vintage guitar, do not hesitate to ask the owner about how he got it. You will learn how many generations have been played it and whether it had traveled the world or not. You should know that this may add value to the instrument too.
8. Ask for More Details
Do not be ashamed to ask the owner about all features and details of the instrument. Telling you that it has some scratches or that it may not sound properly it is not enough. Ask the owner to offer you specific details. If you purchase a guitar, ask whether the neck is straight or the frets are worn off. Make sure there are no buzzing or dead notes.
9. Use Social Media
When searching for a certain musical instrument, do not forget your social media accounts to let people know that you are interested in purchasing a piano, a guitar or whatever instrument you’d like. In case you have many followers or friends, posting the request on social media could really facilitate your search. This way you may find what you are looking for a lot faster.
10. The Perfect Fit
When deciding that you like a certain instrument, make sure that it suits your strength and physical features. Is the instrument the right size for you? Make sure the guitar or violin you purchase is not too small or too big for your hands.
Finding the right musical instrument at an affordable price can be hard. However, you can always negotiate the price, depending on where you buy it from. Make sure you ask additional details and find out the story of the instrument. Paying attention to all the important things can help you learn whether it is worth or not.
