Is a Second-Hand Musical Instrument Worth Buying?

If you're looking for a musical instrument, you might be wondering whether it's better to buy something brand new or look for a second-hand instrument.
In our experience, a good-quality second-hand instrument can often offer much better value for money.
If you choose an instrument with good build quality and it's in good condition, it can still give you many years of reliable use. Then you’re not paying a premium simply because an instrument is new. In fact, when you're buying second-hand, condition is often more important than age.

Why can second-hand instruments offer better value?

When you buy a new instrument, part of what you're paying for is the fact that it's new.
With a second-hand instrument, you can often get a better-quality instrument for the same budget. For example, we'd much rather see someone buying a well-made second-hand instrument that's playing properly than buying a brand-new instrument simply because it's new.
A good-quality instrument doesn't suddenly become unreliable just because it's been owned by somebody else. If the instrument is well made, properly maintained and playing correctly, it can continue to be reliable for many years.

Does age matter when buying a second-hand instrument?

Age is certainly worth considering, but it's not the most important thing.
A well-maintained older instrument that's playing properly can be a much better choice than a newer instrument that's cheap, poorly made or isn't working correctly.
Think about the condition of the instrument rather than simply looking at the date it was made.
If the pads are sealing properly, the keywork is working as it should and the instrument is playing correctly, that's far more important than whether it's five years old or twenty years old.

What's the difference between a USED and a REFURBISHED instrument?

This is an important distinction when you're buying second-hand.
A used instrument simply means that somebody has owned and played it before. It doesn't necessarily mean that any work has been carried out.
A refurbished instrument should have been properly serviced and checked by a specialist.
For example, a refurbished woodwind instrument should have been fully stripped down and serviced, with pads, springs and other parts replaced where necessary. The instrument should then be checked and adjusted to make sure it's playing properly.
That's very different from simply taking a used instrument out of its case and putting it up for sale.
If you're buying second-hand, it's worth finding out exactly what work has been carried out rather than assuming that an instrument advertised as "used" has been serviced.

What should I check on a second-hand brass instrument?

With second-hand brass instruments, one of the most important things to check is the valves and slides.
The valves should move smoothly and all of the slides should slide properly to enable tuning and be fully removable. If a valve is sticking or a slide is seized, it can turn what initially looks like a bargain into an expensive repair.
It's also worth looking over the instrument carefully for signs of previous damage. Previously soldered joints can sometimes indicate that the instrument has been dropped or suffered an impact, so it's worth asking the seller what happened and whether any repairs have been carried out.
You can also look for verdigris, the green build-up that can occur on brass - particularly around areas such as the bottom valve caps and inside slides. This can sometimes give you an indication of how recently the instrument has been thoroughly cleaned or serviced. An instrument that's just been through a proper service and clean should generally have had this build-up removed.
As with any second-hand instrument, don't just judge it by how it looks. The most important thing is that the valves and slides are working properly and the instrument is playing as it should.

 

What problems could there be with a second-hand woodwind instrument?

With second-hand woodwind instruments such as saxophones, clarinets and flutes, there are a few important things to look at.
Pads should be in good condition and shouldn't be torn or badly damaged. More importantly, they need to seal properly. A saxophone or clarinet can look fantastic but still be difficult to play if the pads aren't sealing correctly.
The key work should move smoothly and the mechanism shouldn't feel stiff or awkward. Poor-quality, damaged or bent keywork can cause leaks and make an instrument much harder to play.
Making sure it actually plays is probably the most important check of all. If possible, try the instrument and make sure it plays properly all the way down to the bottom of its range. If certain notes don't speak properly, this can indicate a leak or another problem that needs attention.

 

Is cosmetic wear a problem?

Not necessarily.
Second-hand instruments will often have some signs of use. You might see scratches, dents or worn lacquer, but that doesn't automatically mean there's anything wrong with the instrument. In particular, worn lacquer doesn't usually have a significant effect on the tone of an instrument.
If the instrument has good keywork, pads are sealing properly, valves and slides are moving correct and everything is working as it should - cosmetic wear is simply part of its history.
We'd generally recommend prioritising how the instrument plays and its mechanical condition over how shiny it looks. For example; A saxophone with plenty of lacquer wear that plays beautifully can be a much better instrument than a shiny one that has leaks and needs a lot of work.

Why is a good older instrument sometimes better than a cheap new one?

This is one of the biggest reasons we'd recommend considering second-hand.
Very cheap new instruments are often made to a price. The materials and keywork may not be as robust, and the keys can bend or move out of adjustment more easily.
This can result in leaks and other problems that make the instrument harder to play. Which is particularly frustrating for someone who's learning, because the instrument can end up working against the player rather than with them.
A good-quality second-hand instrument is often a much better investment. You may be able to buy something with better build quality and more reliable keywork for the same money as a very cheaply made, brand new instrument.

What should I ask a seller about a second-hand instrument?

If you're buying a used instrument, we'd recommend asking:
•    When was it last fully serviced?
•    Who carried out the service?
•    What work was actually carried out?
•    Were any pads, springs or other parts replaced?
•    Is there anything currently wrong with the instrument?

If the seller tells you that it has been serviced, it's also worth finding out who carried out the work. A service carried out by a specialist instrument repairer is very different from someone simply giving an instrument a clean and adjustment themselves. 

If you don't recognise the repairer's name, do a little research and find out what experience they have with the particular type of instrument.

What are the advantages of buying second-hand from a specialist shop?

Rather than simply looking at photographs and hoping that everything is working correctly – when you visit a specialist shop, you can try the instrument and find out how it truly plays and feels. Additionally, a full service and checks will have already been carried out before the instrument is on display, by people who work on instruments every day.

At Play It Again UK, we specialise in brass and woodwind instruments, so we're able to assess the condition of an instrument, carry out any necessary repairs and servicing, and make sure it's playing properly before it goes to its next owner. For someone who isn't experienced with instruments, this can take a lot of the uncertainty out of buying second-hand.

When does buying new make more sense?

Second-hand isn't automatically the right choice for everyone. If budget isn't a problem and you prefer to buy a brand-new instrument, there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that.
Equally, if you've tried a new and a second-hand instrument and you personally prefer the way the new one feels and plays, then that's a perfectly good reason to buy new.
The important thing is to choose an instrument that suits you, rather than assuming that new automatically means better.

There is also an option that can make buying new more affordable for some families. If you're in full-time state-funded education and under 18, you may be able to use the Assisted Purchase Scheme to buy a new instrument at the ex-VAT price, subject to the scheme's eligibility requirements. Enquire with your school today and you may be able to save some pennies on a new instrument!

So, in summary, is a second-hand musical instrument worth buying?

In many cases, yes.
A good-quality, properly maintained second-hand instrument can offer excellent value for money and can last just as well as a new instrument.
The key is not to focus solely on the age or cosmetic appearance of the instrument. Look at the build quality, condition, keywork, pads, valves and slides, and most importantly, make sure the instrument is playing properly.

If you're not sure what to look for – here at Play It Again UK, we specialise in second-hand brass and woodwind instruments and have a selection of instruments available in store. If you're in the Bournemouth area, you're welcome to come in, try them and talk to us about what would suit you and your budget. We’d love to hear from or have a visit from you!
Either give us a call on 01202 667320, email on info@playitagainuk.com or fill out a contact form, right here on our website.