Musical instruments: how to choose and buy on a good offer
The instrument must suit you, not a ranking
A guitar or a piano is chosen by hand and ear: scale length, neck profile, key response, tone. So the advice is simple: first decide your level and genre, and only then look at prices. A beginner usually does not need a stage instrument, and someone who plays in a band will soon feel the limits of a cheap model.
The section is large, so here are some pointers. Strings are acoustic, electric and bass guitars: body shape, scale length, pickups and neck type matter. For keys there are upright and grand pianos and synthesisers. There are also drums, wind and bowed instruments, harmoniums and accordions, combo amplifiers, studio and DJ equipment, and accessories for them.
How it works through BlaBlaPrice
Instead of writing to ten sellers, you create one request: the instrument, its condition, your city, budget. Before it is shown, it is checked and you are told what is missing. Music shops and instrument owners reply: model, price, terms, delivery. They can see where their offer stands and compete, so the price often turns out better. Contacts stay hidden. More in the “How it works” section.
What to put in your request
- Type of instrument and the model or brand you want.
- Level — learning, hobby, rehearsals, stage, studio.
- Condition — new or second-hand, whether small scratches are fine, whether it must be fully working.
- Specifications — size, number of keys or strings, power, type of pickups.
- Kit — case, strap, pedal, cover, cables.
- City and delivery, and a budget if you wish.
Example: “Looking for a second-hand Stratocaster-type electric guitar for rehearsals at home, neck without a bow, frets not worn, with a 20 W amplifier. Rawalpindi, I can come to see it. Budget up to Rs 83,000.”
How to compare offers
Check what is included: an instrument with a case and a setup can be better value than a cheaper one without them. For a used one, ask why it is being sold, about repairs and replaced factory parts. For guitars, check the neck for bow and the frets for wear. For a piano, ask for it to be tuned before purchase or for confirmation that a technician will do it. For electronics, check all the inputs, knobs and keys, and on keyboards also the touch response and the pedal.
If you are buying by ear, agree on a chance to hear the instrument on video or in person, and when buying at a distance ask for a recording of a few chords or scales without processing.
Common mistakes and seasons
Buying the “first cheapest” guitar, which is hard to play and makes people give up learning. Forgetting the weight and delivery of an upright or grand piano: carrying it up floors and moving can cost extra, and after the move the instrument will need tuning. Not asking about the warranty on a new instrument. Many people look for instruments in late summer and before the festive season, so choice and terms may change.
What the price depends on
The price depends on the brand and country of manufacture, the material (solid wood or veneer in guitars), the electronics, age and condition. A used instrument from a well-known make is often better than a new one from a doubtful maker, but it must be checked in person or by a detailed video. Offers from different sellers are easier to compare when the request gives the exact model and condition.
In the “Hobbies, leisure and sport” section you will find related things too.
