Buying musical instruments - advice please!
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Buying musical instruments - advice please!
DS and DD are both making great progress with their respective instruments (trombone and clarinet). DS plays a hired instrument and DD plays a borrowed one but they are getting to a level where their teachers have suggested buying new ones 
From those of you with more experience, any advice? Is it best to go to a specialist shop (which look very pricey) or have any of you bought online?
Help!
From those of you with more experience, any advice? Is it best to go to a specialist shop (which look very pricey) or have any of you bought online?
Help!
Re: Buying musical instruments - advice please!
Normally I would say try an instrument first before you buy it BUT....
We bought DD a clarinet online from an English manufacturer - Hanson's. It is a lovely instrument, has a great sound, is perfectly in tune and cost much less than equivalent shop instruments. They also let us order through our local music service thus saving VAT. DH returned it in person for a free service this xmas and it was ready the next day - they have always been very helpful when we have contacted them.
DD really wants one of their rosewood models but she may be waiting a little while for that!
We bought DD a clarinet online from an English manufacturer - Hanson's. It is a lovely instrument, has a great sound, is perfectly in tune and cost much less than equivalent shop instruments. They also let us order through our local music service thus saving VAT. DH returned it in person for a free service this xmas and it was ready the next day - they have always been very helpful when we have contacted them.
DD really wants one of their rosewood models but she may be waiting a little while for that!
Re: Buying musical instruments - advice please!
Thanks Minesatea
Had a look at their website and they almost look too good to be true! DD's teacher had suggested a Yamaha but I might see what he thinks of Hansons too. Did you get a student or intermediate model?
Had a look at their website and they almost look too good to be true! DD's teacher had suggested a Yamaha but I might see what he thinks of Hansons too. Did you get a student or intermediate model?
Re: Buying musical instruments - advice please!
She has a student Hanson HE-3 with Vandoren accessory pack. It's 2 1/2 years old - we have had cork replaced, a couple of pads and had some bent keys straightened (free of charge) , standard wear and tear, other than that no problems.
DD's teacher also wanted us to buy a Yamaha, she hadn't heard of Hanson but loves the instrument. I would recommend the vandoren mouthpiece, it makes a great difference to the sound. The yamaha's are however very good instruments and would be a safe choice.
DH visited the Hanson factory as he was in the area and enjoyed meeting the people who made the instruments rather than salesmen.
DD's teacher also wanted us to buy a Yamaha, she hadn't heard of Hanson but loves the instrument. I would recommend the vandoren mouthpiece, it makes a great difference to the sound. The yamaha's are however very good instruments and would be a safe choice.
DH visited the Hanson factory as he was in the area and enjoyed meeting the people who made the instruments rather than salesmen.
