Buying an instrument, whether it be your first to begin on, you are stepping off the rental market, a midway upgrade, or your final ‘forever’ purchase, is not something that should be taken lightly! At any step of your playing journey, it is going to involve a considerable financial commitment and therefore we need to look carefully at what the basic elements we should be considering are. These will include budget, a good setup, ease of playing, a nice sound, whether it is made in an environmentally sustainable way, and if it has been ethically produced.
Once a realistic budget has been decided upon, the first question will be that of new versus second hand. Unlike clothes, well-made instruments improve with age, therefore it is important to get beyond the mindset of only wanting a brand-new instrument. In some budget ranges this option will be a good one, particularly when paying out large sums of money, as a newly produced instrument from an experienced luthier will probably provide better value for money than the equivalently priced antique instrument! Once properly played in, modern instruments at this level can be the perfect choice for a player! If the budget is not in the mid to high thousands however, a second-hand instrument may well be the best option. The more antique instruments can be higher in long term maintenance costs, with hairline cracks and seams opening due to age and long-term use, so keep this in mind when making your choice.
Another consideration is whether you are buying just the instrument as an upgrade, or is a full set required? In both instances the bow needs to be considered. When upgrading and remaining at the same size, the bow that you currently use must fit well with the instrument that you are buying. It may be that you will upgrade the bow at a later stage, but there still needs to be a degree of compatibility for the interim period. If buying a set that includes a case and bow, it may be worthwhile trying a few bows from comparative sets, as each will be very different, even if factory produced, particularly if the bow is a wooden one rather than a carbon fibre model.
A word of warning! If you intend to keep the same case that you use for your current instrument, make sure that your new purchase fits into it, particularly important where violas are concerned!
Your new instrument will have to play nicely, be well set up and produce a sound that you love, but it is also important that it is aesthetically pleasing to you. You will be spending a considerable amount of time with your instrument, so you need to find it attractive! These days, instruments come in a variety of finishes and colours, but the ones at the higher end of the spectrum tend to all be on the more traditional palette spectrum.
Consider what type of playing you will be using your instrument for! If your aims are within the more traditional branches of string playing, then go for the traditional option, but if you are considering the function, band, or folk circuit, then instruments with a built-in pick up or even a specialist electric instrument may be your best option. Other branches of playing such as the authentic Baroque style will also need a specific type of instrument. These are still expensive purchases for a high-quality setup that works, and all the usual considerations when purchasing should be applied!
Whatever type of instrument you decide to buy, it is vital to try it out before making that final purchase! Regardless of whether you have chosen to go to a high-end artisan in their workshop, a specialist string shop or a more generalist music shop, a truly reputable source will not pressurise you into buying something you have not tried out, or is not suitable. For more expensive outlays, a trial period is standard practice, and even at the lower price end there should be the opportunity to return the instrument with a defined period if it is not the right one for you! Internet purchasing often does not offer any of the scenarios, so should be avoided if possible!
The Basic Considerations
Durability – The durability of an instrument, case and bow usually comes down to the quality of the product. Modern instruments that are well made, set up correctly and sound good, if taken care of properly, should last for centuries! Let’s face it, every Stradivarius was once a new instrument being sold from his workshop in Cremona. The higher end factory produced instruments all possess a standard quality that is built to last, and with a correct set up by a trained luthier, can be a great instrument for players of many standards. Let us also not forget the second hand or vintage model! If well maintained, a good instrument should outlast the lives of generations of players, and we should really have the mindset that we are the custodians of the instruments that we play, just a part of their long musical journey!
Sound – when it comes down to the nitty gritty, the sound an instrument makes is the vital element that defines it as a good or bad purchase! An instrument that makes a good sound is usually well made and well set up, but it is always worthwhile getting it checked over by an expert. As sound is such a personal thing, it is vital that the instrument be played before a final decision of purchasing it is made. Different instruments respond to different players in different ways, both the instrument and bow. Bows are a vital element when playing, and should match both the instrument and player. Ideally, a combination of a variety of both should be tried before any final decisions are reached. Many shops will happily lend out a few examples on trial, ideal if a second pair of ears is not available at the outset.
Playability – this comes down to setup, and the materials used to make the instrument. There is no point in having a great looking instrument if it simply does not work.
A Checklist for Instruments and Bows
Pegs should turn smoothly, not slip, have a hole big enough to fit the string through, and should be slightly proud of the hole on the opposite side to the peghead. Geared pegs should work well, and in double basses the peg mechanisms should be in full working order!
Fingerboard and nut - check it is securely joined to the neck. The top edge of the fingerboard should be curved if you look across it, and there should be a slight inwards dish in it when looking at it from the side! Both curves help the player to stop the string and help prevent the string from buzzing! The nut supports the strings, keeps them the correct distance apart, the correct height above the fingerboard and helps to guide the strings to the pegs! If the nut is set too high, the strings can be hard to press down easily!
A badly fitted bridge can make an instrument impossible to play! It should hold the strings at the correct height, the correct distance apart and transfer the vibrations from the strings to the soundbox of the instrument! Beware of bridges made of wood that is too soft, as the strings will cut deep grooves into these very quickly.
The soundpost should fit the instrument well, making complete contact with the inside of the front piece and back within the belly of the instrument, and be neither cracked or warped!
The tailpiece should be the correct size for the instrument, and integral adjusters should also work properly with good threads and screw action! The tailgut should also be in good condition, holding the tailpiece securely at the correct distance from the bridge.
End buttons and spikes should be in good condition, and cello and bass spikes run smoothly and extend out far enough for the player’s needs!
It is also important to check any instrument for cracks and open seams! Some are easy to find due to the instrument ‘buzzing’ when it is played, but others are less easy to locate!
Bows should not be warped, have a good mechanism at the heel and a new set of horsehair. The lapping and thumb pad should also be in good condition.
Whatever instrument you decide to buy, make sure that it is of the best quality within the budget available. It needs to be an instrument that will be easily sold on, if needed, and will last both your own time playing it and those it will find itself in the hands of in the future! Try to think of the long-term investment, not just financially, but also environmentally. String instruments are made from mainly renewable resources, but that does not mean that they should be treated lightly and as part of the current disposable product trend. They must be environmentally sustainable and not contribute to the sweat shop culture that some factory settings may produce them in. Think carefully about every aspect of your purchase and you should end up with something that both looks and sounds beautiful, will last for centuries, and will give pleasure not only to yourself, but also to generations to come!