INSTRUMENT BUYERS GUIDE Third edition 2014 IBG2014 cover A02.indd 2 10/02/2014 09:16:36 ADS_IBG_2014.indd 2 06/02/2014 16:41:46 Welcome Contents Welcome to the Instrument Buyers Buying an instrument: Listings Guide – Rhinegold Publishing’s guide tips to get you started ...............5 to purchasing and caring for your Instrument Tips from the Manufacturers .........................45 musical instrument. professionals .............................8 Whether you are a parent embarking Modern Instruments .........................45 Buying a beginners instrument: Keyboards .................................................... 45 on a first instrument purchase for Strings .......................................................... 46 your child or an adult beginner, we Violin ...............................................11 Woodwind .................................................... 48 have all the information you need to Viola ...............................................12 Brass ............................................................. 49 get started. We also have tips on how Cello ...............................................13 Percussion .................................................... 49 Materials ...................................................... 49 and when to upgrade your instrument, Harp ...............................................15 Period Instruments ...........................49 finding accessories to suit your budget, French horn ....................................16 along with information about finding Keyboards .................................................... 49 Trumpet .........................................17 Strings .......................................................... 50 repairers and the tricky procedure of Alto saxophone ................................20 Wind and Brass ............................................ 51 buying and selling at auction! Percussion .................................................... 51 Flute ...............................................21 To accompany our top tips and Materials ...................................................... 51 Clarinet ...........................................22 advice, we have comprehensive Specialist Instrument Shops ..............51 listings of instrument and accessory Bass clarinet ....................................23 Keyboards .................................................... 51 manufacturers, and shops and Bassoon .........................................25 Strings .......................................................... 52 Oboe ..............................................26 Woodwind and Brass ................................... 53 repairers in the UK, to help you quickly Percussion .................................................... 54 and easily locate the people you need. Ukulele/tenor guitar .........................27 World ............................................................ 54 If you would like a broader set of Other ............................................................ 54 Buying an early instrument: information covering all aspects of Instrument Technicians the classical music world, you can Early harp ........................................29 and Repairers ..................................54 refer to the British & International Baroque flute ...................................30 General ......................................................... 54 Music Yearbook (see www.rhinegold. Lute ................................................31 Keyboards .................................................... 54 Strings .......................................................... 55 Viol .................................................32 co.uk/directories) – available in Woodwind and Brass ................................... 56 print and online, or go online to Insuring your instrument ..........34 Percussion .................................................... 56 www.musicpages.co.uk – our new online search engine for the music industry, Instrument accessories ............37 Accessory Manufacturers and Distributors .......................57 both of which are partner projects of the . Finding an instrument Instrument Buyers Guide repairer ..................................40 Instrument Hire .......................57 Good luck to all those about to pursue a new instrument – we hope that this Buying at auction ....................42 Equipment Manufacture, Distribution and Hire ................58 guide will help and support you on your journey. And don’t forget to take a look Instrument Loan Schemes .......59 at the many other Rhinegold products available, which will help you in your Instrument Auctioneers ............59 musical endeavours! Instrument Making and Repair Courses .................59 Rachel Creaser Editor Music Shops ............................60 Specialist Online Retailers .......66 Listings Manager Sarah Reid Mail Order Specialists and Wholesalers ......................67 Design Hal Bannister Specialist Record Dealers ........68 Production Antiquarian and Specialist Gordon Wallis Music Booksellers ...................68 Advertising Executive Musical Giftware Manufacturers and Retailers ....69 Natasha Alexander Trade Fairs ..............................69 © Rhinegold Publishing Ltd 2014 INSTRUMENT BUYERS GUIDE 2014 3 IBG2014 Intro and Contents.indd 3 10/02/2014 09:19:48 0XVLFDO&DUHHUV6WDUW+HUH 67(1725 * Stentor provides good quality instruments that enable players to progress to the best of their ability and enjoy making music. * Ideal student and intermediate instruments: Stentor Student I Stentor Student II Stentor Graduate Stentor Conservatoire * Our high grade orchestral models: - Messina, Elysia and Arcadia * Stentor violins, violas, cellos and double basses are carved from solid tonewoods, with correct measurements and good tonal quality, offering students the best start to their musical careers. * Stentor Student I and Student II outfits are played in most schools in the UK and throughout the world. Stentor instruments are available in all sizes from your local retailer. Contact us for a copy of the Stentor brochure www.stentor-music.com Stentor Music Co Ltd Tel: 01737 240226 Email: [email protected] ADS_IBG_2014.indd 4 06/02/2014 16:42:09 Buying an instrument – tips to get you started f your child is about to start a course of instrumental lessons, one of the first things you’ll need to do is get them a decent instrument. For many parents this is a source of worry. How do you walk into a music shop and buy the appropriate violin, flute or trumpet with musical knowledge that is limited, to say the least? And how much to spend? The internet adds a further complication: should you buy without trying for the sake of a lower price? This article will answer these questions and provide you with the information you Ineed to buy or rent an instrument with confidence Get advice from a teacher Consulting a teacher should always be the first port of call for any instruments can also be more fragile, and may not cope well with parent looking to obtain a musical instrument for their child. If the wear and tear a child’s instrument will typically endure. your child already has a teacher, go straight to them. If your child The teacher should also outline the benefits of buying versus does not have a teacher, you will need to find one, and advice on those of renting. Buying is obviously a bigger commitment, so it is how to do so is beyond the scope of this article. Briefly, the best advisable to buy quality from the outset; after all, your child will be guide is usually word of mouth; ask other parents and speak to stuck with whatever you buy. Renting allows you to keep your other teachers at your child’s school. options open, but can be a drain on your finances once your child Once found, your child’s teacher will be able to reassure you has decided that they definitely wish to continue playing. With that buying an instrument designed for a beginner does not this in mind, many retailers offer rental schemes which allow you mean spending large sums of money. In fact, it is not advisable to to purchase the instrument after a certain period, giving your child do so: expensive instruments are designed for advanced players, the time and space to decide whether playing is for them. and may not respond well in the hands of beginners. Expensive What makes a quality Online retailer or traditional music shop? beginner instrument? The internet can be a good option if you are absolutely sure of what you want, but check that your online retailer has a returns policy. Brand-new instruments often leave the A good beginner instrument should factory in a state of minor disrepair; this often comes as a surprise to parents, but it is make it relatively easy for a new player an unfortunate reality that teachers are well aware of. If your factory-fresh instrument to produce a good sound, and should does turn out to need minor repairs, you will be grateful that you bought from a retailer be adequate for use up to (and in some with a comprehensive guarantee policy, as repairs can be costly. Similarly, it is worth cases beyond) Grade 5. Very cheap asking your child if there are any problems with the instrument as you approach the end instruments are often barely playable of the guarantee period. beyond Grade 1; avoid these. The Traditional music retailers offer the peace of mind of being able to return the teacher will know which are which, but instrument for repair for the duration of the guarantee