| When instrument shopping you can certainly save | | | | questioned. While there may be a perfectly good |
| quite a bit of money if you purchase a second | | | | explanation for the condition of the case, it is |
| hand instrument. However, you can also end up | | | | usually indicative of the musical instrument |
| wasting a lot of money by purchasing a second | | | | suffering a great deal of jarring which can harm |
| hand instrument. Second hand instruments can be | | | | the instrument's quality. |
| a good value for your money, but you have to | | | | It is not difficult to tell when a second hand |
| be careful about what you are purchasing. | | | | instrument has been well used and lovingly cared |
| Most musical instrument stores run pretty good | | | | for. Often wear spots can tell you just how often |
| deals on second hand musical instruments. | | | | the instrument was played. If the second hand |
| However, you are still going to pay a fairly | | | | instrument was well maintained, then there is no |
| significant mark up. Shopping independently for a | | | | real concern about wear spots and faded places, |
| second hand instrument can save you a lot of | | | | provided it still holds a playable quality. A second |
| money if you know what you are looking for, as | | | | hand musical instrument without any fading or |
| well as what you are not looking for. | | | | wear spots was obviously not played very hard, |
| Any second hand instrument that is presented | | | | and is more likely to have retained its original |
| without a case is not a good sign. This typically | | | | quality, but may not have been so lovingly cared |
| means that the instrument was not kept in its | | | | for. Having an experienced eye look at any |
| proper case, and that any additional parts, such as | | | | second hand instrument you may have doubts |
| spare reeds for woodwinds, are not contributed in | | | | about is a good idea. |
| the purchase. While this may not always be the | | | | If you are unsure of how to tell a quality second |
| case, most second hand instruments are not | | | | hand instrument from one that has suffered too |
| worth the asking price if they were stored as is. | | | | much abuse or neglect, then purchasing a second |
| A second hand instrument that is presented in a | | | | hand instrument form a reputable dealer may be |
| case that has obviously been through its own | | | | your best bet. Just remember that part of what |
| personal war is a red flag as well. While obviously | | | | you are paying for is the experienced eye that |
| the case did its job, if there is evidence of a lot | | | | can tell a quality second hand instrument from |
| of knicks, scrapes, dings, or scratches, the | | | | one that is lacking in playable quality. |
| condition of the case should at the very least be | | | | |