Buying an Instrument?

At first glance, buying an instrument really doesn’t seem like an all too involved process. At second glance however, people begin to notice things like how two instruments of different brands can be vastly different from one another, and a realization that instruments can be very costly. So try not to rush into a music store with a mind to buy the best looking instrument you can get your hands on—it’s important to go into the instrument search with an idea of what you will need to learn this new instrument to the best of your ability.
If you have a music teacher or a musically-inclined peer, now is the time to be asking favors. The insight of an experienced musician is invaluable in the search for an instrument, and chances are they’ll be able to give you some good tips on what makes or breaks an instrument. Some instructors giving private lessons will even be willing to show their students a few models if they know what their needs are. The insight of an experienced musician can give you an invaluable gem of truth that you wouldn’t have even considered otherwise. As for what you should look for in your instrument, it’s best to simply keep your eyes on experience-appropriate models (i.e.—if you are a beginner, look for a beginner model), because as great as it would be to “grow into” an instrument, playing on an instrument with a design suited to your needs is really the best way to get your bearings.
For most people, finding the right instrument boils down to making the most cost effective choice. Rental programs are the best means of starting an instrument; if it doesn’t take, it’s really not a big deal, because you can simply return it, no regrets, and renting will give you a better idea of what you’re looking for in an instrument. If you have your heart set on owning, financing an instrument is always an option; there’s usually little to no interest, otherwise it’s really not worth it. Used instruments are another great option; more often than not there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a used instrument other than its inability to hold its previous owners attention. It’s best to look at used instruments sold from stores as opposed to websites that allow owner’s to sell their products directly. While it is possible to find a musician who’s selling a good quality instrument at a bargain, more often than not the quality of the instrument will be somewhat sketchy, and when there are many more reliable options out there, it seems needless to resort to the online classifieds for an instrument.
This being said, it’s important to not count out the internet entirely. Once you’ve started narrowing down your instrument brand/models, it’s a good idea to do some research and compare consumer reviews to get a better idea of what kind of instrument you’re looking at, in addition to finding some bargain basement sales online. If your supplementary equipment is expensive (amplifiers, drum kits, etc.), it’s a good idea to search for some warehouse direct prices online where you will definitely be able to find some great deals. In truth it’s not at all difficult to find a good quality instrument with a little forethought and common sense. Researching all the options to find the best one for you is the most important thing you can do to ensure a good musical experience, because quite honestly, there are fewer things worse than getting suckered into buy an overpriced brand-name instrument shaped object.