Are you in the process of acquiring a new or used band instrument for you or your child? There are several options to consider when deciding how to choose a band instrument for your beginner. Let me point out some of the pros and cons of each, as I see them.
Buy new.....the pros....obviously, you'd be purchasing an instrument that has no wear and tear. Maintenance would be minimal. Depending on the make and model, you could be purchasing an instrument that would meet the needs of your beginner musician for many years to come. The cons....initial cost of ownership and the possibility that your child may not be into this instrument for the long haul, leaving you with a very new band instrument either to sell or to store.
Buy used....the pros....you'd be shelling out far fewer dollars than you would for a new instrument, and there are lots of good (as well as bad) instruments available. Often times, older, used beginner level instruments are better made than some of their newer counterparts. the clarinet or saxophone sitting in your mother's attic, or the flute your sister's daughter stopped playing could be a great deal. With some new pads and corks, you could be using a very good instrument for the cost of a minor repair. The cons....you may not know what kind of condition a used instrument is in and what the cost would be to get it working well. But a competent repair technician could give you some good advice. If you and your child can overlook that "new instrument look", used instruments can be a super bargain. Check out Craigslist. there are always lots of band instruments listed.
Rentals or "Rent to own".....the pros....usually the initial outlay is minimal with a three or four month term to see if your beginner is going to stick with it. Almost always, the instruments are manufactured by reputable makers backed by an established local music store and are not cheaply made knock offs. The instruments are usually new or almost new (rental returns) and have been reconditioned by a qualified repair technician, so you usually know they are going to work well. Also, many of these rentals are available with optional damage insurance, which is reasonably inexpensive and will cover any damage your beginner may cause. This damage does not include that done to your ears and sensitivities as your child progresses through the beginning stages of learning how to play, but, as a parent of two kids who were once beginners, that experience is one of the joys of having a young musician in the family! ..........the cons.....as you rent to own the instrument, the payments usually far exceed the amount of money you could have spent by simply buying the instrument outright from the beginning. Also, if your child decides to discontinue and you return the instrument while it is still being rented, you have gained no equity, just some fond memories.
So, that's the way I see it. If I can be of any help checking out an older instrument you already have, please fell free to give me a call or drop me an email.