The Instrument Recommendation thread

mr dave · 08-30-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTown787

My friend is looking to get a bass so he can teach himself how to play so me and him can play together. $200 at the very most, any ideas?

go to your local pawn shop and take the oldest looking thing in that price range that stays in tune. you'll likely end up with a 2nd tier piece of gear from the 70s built with better quality than any new mass produced plank for the same price.

Dr_Rez · 08-30-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

go to your local pawn shop and take the oldest looking thing in that price range that stays in tune. you'll likely end up with a 2nd tier piece of gear from the 70s built with better quality than any new mass produced plank for the same price.

God bless Pawn Shops. I just saw my local one selling a mim Tele for 230 bucks.

mr dave · 08-30-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RezZ

God bless Pawn Shops. I just saw my local one selling a mim Tele for 230 bucks.

yeah i had to pass on one of these a few years ago too. then again they were (and could get away with) asking the retail price since they've been off the market for years. Epiphone Nighthawk, they wanted $400.

Dr_Rez · 08-30-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

yeah i had to pass on one of these a few years ago too. then again they were (and could get away with) asking the retail price since they've been off the market for years. Epiphone Nighthawk, they wanted $400.

Those are super cool guitars. I still cant imagine paying 400 at a pawn shop for it tho. I wonder if they sold it.

thomasracer56 · 09-06-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

yeah i had to pass on one of these a few years ago too. then again they were (and could get away with) asking the retail price since they've been off the market for years. Epiphone Nighthawk, they wanted $400.

i came.

ThePhanastasio · 02-25-2013, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realfanback

i have recently formed a band a few months ago but i have no idea where i can purchase a guitar and a good quality drum. Besides that, is it possible to get an antique piano and how much does it cost?

Seriously, Craigslist. If you see a drumset for, say, $250, contact them and say, "I'm kind of short this month, but would you take $175 cash?" Nine times out of ten, they'll say yes, (especially if you go pick it up and load it out) and that's a bargain.

For a guitar, check out Craigslist as well, or pawn shops. Pawn shops will hella jack up the price. Don't super lowball them, but just examine a guitar lovingly that's got a price tag of $250 - $300 and then be like, "This guitar is so pretty, but I saw one of this model on Ebay/Craigslist/Amazon used for $150."

They'll probably shoot for the $200 range, then be like, "Yeah, well, with shipping, I guess I could probably pick the other one up for $175." Generally, they'll either take that offer, or put you around $180 or $190. At this point, just seem a little skeptical, all, "Well, I don't know. I mean, I'd like to have the guitar right now, but waiting a few days and paying $175 seems pretty nice." Then, they usually either match your price or are all, "I'll go $180, and throw in some picks and a strap."

For the piano - Craigslist, estate sales. That kind of thing. If you want an upright, they usually go from $150 - $500, depending. In the lower end, they've probably never been tuned, and that will add additional expense. On the bright side, you can still haggle the price.

NOTE: If you offer CASH IN HAND, suddenly the bottom dollar lowers itself.

drh1589 · 06-26-2013, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhanastasio

For a guitar, check out Craigslist as well, or pawn shops. Pawn shops will hella jack up the price. Don't super lowball them, but just examine a guitar lovingly that's got a price tag of $250 - $300 and then be like, "This guitar is so pretty, but I saw one of this model on Ebay/Craigslist/Amazon used for $150."

They'll probably shoot for the $200 range, then be like, "Yeah, well, with shipping, I guess I could probably pick the other one up for $175." Generally, they'll either take that offer, or put you around $180 or $190. At this point, just seem a little skeptical, all, "Well, I don't know. I mean, I'd like to have the guitar right now, but waiting a few days and paying $175 seems pretty nice." Then, they usually either match your price or are all, "I'll go $180, and throw in some picks and a strap."

This man speaks the truth. I've bought two guitars, a pedal, a microphone, and a vintage amp in pawn shops before. If you're smart about how you shop you can get a steal.

~~Lord Larehip~~ · 09-09-2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhanastasio

Seriously, Craigslist. If you see a drumset for, say, $250,

Seriously, a drum kit for $250 is a piece of crap. I have cymbals that cost that much.

Quote:

For a guitar, check out Craigslist as well

Never buy a guitar off the internet! How can you know it's any good if you don't play it first?? Caveat emptor.

Quote:

For the piano - Craigslist, estate sales. That kind of thing. If you want an upright, they usually go from $150 - $500, depending. In the lower end, they've probably never been tuned, and that will add additional expense. On the bright side, you can still haggle the price.

NOTE: If you offer CASH IN HAND, suddenly the bottom dollar lowers itself.

I know guys who have put stuff up on Craigslist. Whatever you paid for it wasn't worth it.

Dr_Rez · 09-09-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Larehip

Seriously, a drum kit for $250 is a piece of crap. I have cymbals that cost that much.

Not if you are looking at a 4 piece or something. My first drumset was a pearl forum 4 piece with a high hat and ride that were Zildjian ZBT. I sold it for 250 on craigslist. It isnt a pro kit but it certainly worked for plenty of shows my friends and I used it for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Larehip

Never buy a guitar off the internet! How can you know it's any good if you don't play it first?? Caveat emptor.

...You play it before you buy it lol, just ask them to plug it in when at their house. Do you know how craigslist works?

Burning Down · 09-09-2013, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rezdaddy Longlegs

...You play it before you buy it lol, just ask them to plug it in when at their house. Do you know how craigslist works?

Yeah I bought a guitar to use at school off Craiglist, and also a clarinet. Both times I went and met the people and tried the instruments. Craigslist is not like a mail order catalogue, or like Ebay. You go and pick the item up and if you dont like it when you see it, just say you don't want it anymore. Pretty simple.