Band Instrument Question

[thomas998]

piddling around on the internet... I just ran across a site called musicgoround which might be a way of getting your sax cheaply... especially if you live near one of their stores.

 

[monsterkitty]

The best place to find a instrument for a begining student in band is ebay... you find it filled with instruments that were once new before the buyers child realized they didn't want to be in band anymore.

NEVER buy a new instrument for a kid starting out... they will depreciate faster than a new car and will probably get more dings in the first month than your car will in a year.

I know band directors like to push new instruments and rentals from a particular store. Where I grew up it was common to happen, not because the band directors believed that their store of choice had the best prices or service... no it was because for every instrument the store sold to a kid in the band directors school the band director got a kick back.... not always money sometimes they got store credit, but still... it was a dirtly little secret no one told parents when they were give the sales pitch by the band director.

I would stick with a Yamaha... look for a YAS 23... you can probably find one on ebay for under $500.

Really? I have been teaching instrumental music for 20 years and have never been given a kick-back or in-store credit. In fact, music teachers cannot even recommend which store to go to because that has been deemed unfair to other music stores. There have been law suits by music stores against music teachers and district for "favoring" one store over another. We can recommend brands and that is it.

I have had more students purchase instruments from ebay that could not be fixed or were horribly made than success cases (strings especially). If a parent is going to bid on an instrument on ebay, I ask the parent to look for quality brand instruments so that the instrument is functional and will allow the child success.

Now I am off to call all the local music stores and ask them where my kick-backs are for providing students with stores address and phone number. (yes I can provide a list of each music store from which an instrument can be rented, I just can't say which store to use.)

 

[Willow1213]

From someone who used to work in a very small local music store(up until 3 weeks ago!)
Yes, many larger area schools receive kick-backs or something else from the music stores for their "loyalty". There was a big lawsuit about it here because preference was being given to certain larger chain stores. Now the schools are obligated to hand out a of packet sales flyers with the info of any store that sends them to the school to be distributed. They are also not allowed to specify brands here. They were getting around by saying "we recommend xyz brand" and the only store that carries it is the chain.

If you have a beginning child - do your research! I know you are doing that by asking us here at the DIS so it's a start. Don't just go on the recommendation of any one person. Rent to own is a great program for beginners, just make sure that they won't charge you to return. Also, loss and damage waivers are very important for beginners. We're not worried about your son/daugther, just worried about the rambunctious kid that sits next to them

Any of us would be more than happy to answer your questions - that's why you have us! Good luck to your son or daughter in band and enjoy the saxophone.

~Abby

 

[mytwinklestar]

I agree with all the PPs that said renting band instruments is best for beginners. My DS (10) was chosen for alto sax. I had NO clue the expense involved and was shocked to learn that a sax could cost as much as a week at a Disney value resort! (Sorry... that last bit is the Dis in me - but it is true!) We are renting a Yamaha for DS. He appears interested but we have been warned that the great majority of these kids will drop band by mid-year. The store that we are renting the instrument from has a great return policy - no charge. Call around and have your husband read through these posts. Perhaps he will reconsider his position on renting if he did. Good luck!

 

[richmond282]

The best place to find a instrument for a begining student in band is ebay... you find it filled with instruments that were once new before the buyers child realized they didn't want to be in band anymore.

NEVER buy a new instrument for a kid starting out... they will depreciate faster than a new car and will probably get more dings in the first month than your car will in a year.

I know band directors like to push new instruments and rentals from a particular store. Where I grew up it was common to happen, not because the band directors believed that their store of choice had the best prices or service... no it was because for every instrument the store sold to a kid in the band directors school the band director got a kick back.... not always money sometimes they got store credit, but still... it was a dirtly little secret no one told parents when they were give the sales pitch by the band director.

Wow! I can't believe you said that. Those blood-sucking band directors. How dare they!

I, too, am a band director of 10 years. I have never once gotten any sort of "kick-back" or in-store credit or special treatment from any music store. That was a pretty blatant accusation. Most band directors only want their students to be successful. Playing on a crappy instrument from ANYWHERE will not achieve that goal.

I also have recommend Jupiter again. Yes, they did used to be poorly made and not worth the investment. The company has done a complete revamp in the past few years. Their instruments play well. (Yes, I have actually played them. In fact, all of our HS's tubas are Jupiters. We do not have intonation problems w/ them, either.)

I guess I should contact Jupiter now for my kick-back...

 

[monsterkitty]

Wow! I can't believe you said that. Those blood-sucking band directors. How dare they!

I, too, am a band director of 10 years. I have never once gotten any sort of "kick-back" or in-store credit or special treatment from any music store. That was a pretty blatant accusation. Most band directors only want their students to be successful. Playing on a crappy instrument from ANYWHERE will not achieve that goal.

I also have recommend Jupiter again. Yes, they did used to be poorly made and not worth the investment. The company has done a complete revamp in the past few years. Their instruments play well. (Yes, I have actually played them. In fact, all of our HS's tubas are Jupiters. We do not have intonation problems w/ them, either.)

I guess I should contact Jupiter now for my kick-back...[/QUOTE]

I should contact Accent aout my kick-back!

btw, our music stores in the area have started carrying Jupiter instruments again. I tried a few today and I have to agree, they are much better now!

 

[Aristomommy]

I am a new band parent, although DD has been taking private lessons for 2 years. During our parent information night, several music stores were present and the teachers only recommended brands. The flute teacher also said that if there was a family instrument, she would like to see it to make sure it was good for a beginner.

That being said, our flute is from ebay. I never imagined buying an instrument there, but we did. The exact same brand our flute teacher recommended was listed when a music store went out of business. I pais less than $100 for a $500 instrument.

 

[grimb]

Boy What a hot topic. Sorry for my delay in posting but I was on the phone asking for my kick back from our area music stores.

All beg should rent a horn. CHeck to see if the store has a 3 month startup plan. (Ohio has this) for a small amount of money your child can try out the instrument.

Never buy an instrument on e-bay unless you know instruments. I know very little about cars and would have to research alot to make an educated guess.
Many instruments are now being made in China. Stores like to push these instruments because they receive them for such a low cost and can jack up the prices. For example an Eastman Trumpet comes to the dealer for 150.00 and they sell for 500.00

Instruments are like cars. Everyone needs to be checked before you purchase. I have 3 piccolos that came off the line next to each other 45001 45002 45003 and all three play differently.

Yes we have students that have step up horns that they keep inside and take their 5th grade horns outside to march with.

Good instruments hold their value better then the cheap crap.

Yes my house is filled with instruments. We have my wifes first flute all the way up to her 10000.00 instrument. Buy a quality instrument

I like Conn/King as a brass player but I have kids on everything. I just tell them not to purchase the e-bay crap or the walmart crap (first act)
Most have valve problems and can not be fixed.
***You get what you pay for*****

 

[bigbabyblues]

That being said, our flute is from ebay. I never imagined buying an instrument there, but we did. The exact same brand our flute teacher recommended was listed when a music store went out of business. I pais less than $100 for a $500 instrument.

I'm participating in an alumni band at my old high school this month, and I bought a flute from ebay as well. I looked at several and watched, asked questions of the sellers, etc. I ended up with a Gemeinhardt for less than $100. It has a small ding in it, but it plays fine and the pads are in great shape. I wouldn't have imagined I'd buy one on ebay either, but for what I'm using it for (one practice and one ball game), even though I will do this every year they have it, I couldn't justify the cost of a new one.

 

[richmond282]

Boy What a hot topic. Sorry for my delay in posting but I was on the phone asking for my kick back from our area music stores.

All beg should rent a horn. CHeck to see if the store has a 3 month startup plan. (Ohio has this) for a small amount of money your child can try out the instrument.

Never buy an instrument on e-bay unless you know instruments. I know very little about cars and would have to research alot to make an educated guess.
Many instruments are now being made in China. Stores like to push these instruments because they receive them for such a low cost and can jack up the prices. For example an Eastman Trumpet comes to the dealer for 150.00 and they sell for 500.00

Instruments are like cars. Everyone needs to be checked before you purchase. I have 3 piccolos that came off the line next to each other 45001 45002 45003 and all three play differently.

Yes we have students that have step up horns that they keep inside and take their 5th grade horns outside to march with.

Good instruments hold their value better then the cheap crap.
Yes my house is filled with instruments. We have my wifes first flute all the way up to her 10000.00 instrument. Buy a quality instrument

I like Conn/King as a brass player but I have kids on everything. I just tell them not to purchase the e-bay crap or the walmart crap (first act)
Most have valve problems and can not be fixed.
***You get what you pay for*****

Amen!!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

The thing that bugged me the most about our band night is that they had the kids come, then the band teacher say, "We start tomorrow . . ." and all the rental places had tables set-up and the kids would not be denied. I swore I heard " Oh, oh, the Wells Fargo Wagon is a coming down . . ." I told my son we would need to wait until I checked all the offers out and compared them. Renting is great if the kid isn't sure, but even if it is "rent to own" the price of ownership is so much higher than you could find the instrument used.

We got a great Vito alto sax on eBay. I was very patient and waited for the right one - a risk, but it paid off. Craigslist is so much better because you could go and try out the instrument before you buy. I just was honestly appalled at the rental guys acting like vultures at the band meeting.

 

[thomas998]

The thing that bugged me the most about our band night is that they had the kids come, then the band teacher say, "We start tomorrow . . ." and all the rental places had tables set-up and the kids would not be denied. I swore I heard " Oh, oh, the Wells Fargo Wagon is a coming down . . ." I told my son we would need to wait until I checked all the offers out and compared them. Renting is great if the kid isn't sure, but even if it is "rent to own" the price of ownership is so much higher than you could find the instrument used.

We got a great Vito alto sax on eBay. I was very patient and waited for the right one - a risk, but it paid off. Craigslist is so much better because you could go and try out the instrument before you buy. I just was honestly appalled at the rental guys acting like vultures at the band meeting.

Unfortunately that is the way a lot of the band programs start. If you know that your child wants to be in band, the best thing you can do is start looking for the instrument that he/she will need before the school year starts. Not to mention you can get very good deals on student instruments in the summer when school is out and the former band kids that aren't going to be in band next year decide they would rather have the money instead of the instrument.

 

[mominwestlake]

Did the school talk to you the year before that the following year there was an instrument option? Our school let everyone know in 4th grade and then at 5th grade orientation we were reminded again about instrument sign ups. Even with all that, they don't start actual band until October. The kids bring their recorders to school until then.

Our local music store has a garage sale in the summer and we bought my dd's trombone at it. She is still using it 5 years later. We bought my other kids' instruments used at the local music store. Now I am shopping for a trombone upgrade for my oldest dd.

 

[richmond282]

We got a great Vito alto sax on eBay. I was very patient and waited for the right one - a risk, but it paid off. Craigslist is so much better because you could go and try out the instrument before you buy. I just was honestly appalled at the rental guys acting like vultures at the band meeting.

This is great... if you know what you are looking for. Most parents don't have a clue if they weren't in band. They don't know what to look for in a used instrument on ebay or even craigslist. That's why band directors recommend renting from a reputable music store that will provide you w/ a fully functioning instrument or they ask you to let them check out your used instruments first.

 

[ski_mom]

We bought my DD a used Yahama AS23 off of Ebay at the beginning of the school year. They tried out instruments and this is what she liked and the band director said seemed to be a good fit for her.

We went to the band orientation night where they have the rentals because that is what we were leaning toward doing, but when we got there it was going to cost $806 to rent an alto sax through May. Brand new from the rental store they would give you a 30% discount off of the $1,600 price bringing it down to $1,120. Or, at the end of May they would of course apply the $806 you paid for rental toward the purchase price which would be the full $1,600.

I told my DD that we would check more into it and started watching Ebay for the AS23 (the model the band director recommended). I ended up getting one for $650 that had been used for about 3 months last year by an 8th grader who decided he didn't want to stay with it. I will admit that until we got it, I was a little nervous that it wouldn't look as nice as it did in the many pictures that they displayed, but it is a great instrument and I am thrilled with how it turned out!