Rules of Thumb
Several old adages come to mind when discussing renting or buying instruments.
1. You get what you pay for
2. If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true
3. The devil is in the details
4. Buyer beware!
1. You get what you pay for
2. If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true
3. The devil is in the details
4. Buyer beware!
Rent To Own
My first recommendation is to take advantage of the Marshall Music Instrument Rental Program. It is a rent to own program that has some features that buying an instrument outright will not.
1. Pricing - Prices are on new student level instruments with all materials you will need to make music on day one. (Except a book)
2. Quality - They only deal with reputable brands that have been proven over time to support beginning musicians with their sturdy build, sound quality, and material quality. (it will retain its resale value as well)
3. Financing - The price of the instrument is split up over the length of the rental contract. No hidden fees! Once the instrument is paid off, it is yours to keep!
4. Insurance - During the length of the contract, Marshall's includes Fire and Theft Coverage on the instrument
5. Repairs - During the length of the contract , all accidental or regular repairs are covered. (Instances of extreme abuse are not) All instruments in the rental program can be serviced at the Marshall Repair Shop.
6. Trade in - Say before your contract is up, your student wants to switch instruments. A common switch is from flute or clarinet to Alto Saxophone. When you trade in the old instrument, the payments you've already made on it go toward the new one!
7. Service Calls - Marshalls delivers directly to the school once a week. You can call them for supplies, pay for them online or over the phone, then tell them to have them delivered to Honey Creek for no extra cost. Additionally, if your instrument needs to be repaired, they will pick it up at the school, assess the problem, call you with an estimate, complete the repairs you authorize, then return the instrument to the school. No extra trips for you!
1. Pricing - Prices are on new student level instruments with all materials you will need to make music on day one. (Except a book)
2. Quality - They only deal with reputable brands that have been proven over time to support beginning musicians with their sturdy build, sound quality, and material quality. (it will retain its resale value as well)
3. Financing - The price of the instrument is split up over the length of the rental contract. No hidden fees! Once the instrument is paid off, it is yours to keep!
4. Insurance - During the length of the contract, Marshall's includes Fire and Theft Coverage on the instrument
5. Repairs - During the length of the contract , all accidental or regular repairs are covered. (Instances of extreme abuse are not) All instruments in the rental program can be serviced at the Marshall Repair Shop.
6. Trade in - Say before your contract is up, your student wants to switch instruments. A common switch is from flute or clarinet to Alto Saxophone. When you trade in the old instrument, the payments you've already made on it go toward the new one!
7. Service Calls - Marshalls delivers directly to the school once a week. You can call them for supplies, pay for them online or over the phone, then tell them to have them delivered to Honey Creek for no extra cost. Additionally, if your instrument needs to be repaired, they will pick it up at the school, assess the problem, call you with an estimate, complete the repairs you authorize, then return the instrument to the school. No extra trips for you!
Other Options
There are other options out there to obtain an instrument for band however.
1. The Hand Me Down - If any instrument sits for a considerable amount of time without being played, the chances are it will need to be cleaned and repaired before it can be used. If you have an old instrument you would like your student to use, the first step is to bring it in so I can look at it. The second step will likely be to send it in for cleaning and repair. DO NOT take tools to your instrument if something is stuck!
2. Big Box Blunders - With the world opening up via the internet, there are a lot of instruments out there that are below a quality that supports learning and performing. When discussing these instruments with repair shops, the problem tends to be twofold. First the instrument is so poorly constructed it plays constantly out of tune and often breaks under the stress learning musicians puts on it. Second they can't repair these cheap brands because of the quality of the materials and the lack of available parts.
1. The Hand Me Down - If any instrument sits for a considerable amount of time without being played, the chances are it will need to be cleaned and repaired before it can be used. If you have an old instrument you would like your student to use, the first step is to bring it in so I can look at it. The second step will likely be to send it in for cleaning and repair. DO NOT take tools to your instrument if something is stuck!
2. Big Box Blunders - With the world opening up via the internet, there are a lot of instruments out there that are below a quality that supports learning and performing. When discussing these instruments with repair shops, the problem tends to be twofold. First the instrument is so poorly constructed it plays constantly out of tune and often breaks under the stress learning musicians puts on it. Second they can't repair these cheap brands because of the quality of the materials and the lack of available parts.
***CAUTION***
If you choose to look for a new instrument at a low cost on the internet, be very careful. I have yet to find a $100 brand new instrument that works correctly, that sounds good, or can withstand the hands, fingers, and habits of a beginning Band student. I'm happy to look at any web link you send me and give you my opinion on what you're looking at, before you buy it. In 99.9 percent of all situations, an instrument offered in MULTIPLE COLORS is not a quality instrument and will NOT play correctly or hold up for your child. This will frustrate them and make Band a negative experience. The best thing you can do for your child is to get them a good instrument that plays correctly, whether it's new on the rent to own process, or a quality used choice.