Instrument Purchasing (Part 1)

No matter the stage of development of your instrumental ministry, whether just getting started or having multiple instrumental groups, you will eventually have the need to purchase instruments. Your questions may be, "What instrument(s) do I need to purchase first? Where can I find what I'm looking for?" Here are a few suggestions:

First, let's talk about funding for your purchases. Purchasing large instruments can be a very expensive venture. These type purchases are normally considered "capital expenditures." Research what you need...find at least two price quotes from music dealers...express the needs in letter form...and submit it to your finance committee or pastor (or whatever would be proper procedure for your situation). Smaller items can be purchased though the music budget. And speaking of budgets, you must establish a line item in your church budget for instrument maintenance. Those instruments, whether purchased or donated, will eventually need repair! If you have already established a piano maintenance budget, consider adding to it to incorporate the rest of the instrumental ministry.

Second, let's discuss what needs to be purchased first. First and foremost, prayer is the essential for any and all decisions that need to be made concerning your life in Christ. Purchasing instruments is not an exception to this rule. However, since my major instrument is percussion, I would say percussion should be one of the first, if not the first, area of purchasing. Not many percussionists have timpani or mallet keyboards at their house that they can transport back and forth to the church for rehearsals and services!
Concentrate on the large instruments first. Timpani will be your biggest need - 26" and 29" timpani are the standard "two timpani" set. Adding orchestra bells and suspended cymbal (16" to 20" in size) will allow you to play the majority of church percussion parts. Chimes (or tubular bells), concert bass drum, gong, xylophone, marimba and vibraphone are important, but fall back in priority over the timpani and orchestra bells. Important: Make sure you have the proper mallets to play these instruments and that they are in good shape. Using inferior, worn-out or improper mallets will affect the sound and longevity of the percussion instruments.

Instrument Purchasing (Part 2)

In the last MMEMail, I discussed about the purchasing of percussion instruments being #1. Well, it's a week later - and I haven't changed my mind! I say that in jest, realizing that your greatest need may be finding a tuba for someone who wants to use that talent for the Lord. By all means, don't tell him to wait until you buy every piece of percussion equipment! Find him (or her) a tuba!

If I were to continue my priority of purchasing, the tuba would be next. Tuba prices are varied - depending on the size and features. I can say that you will get what you pay for if you purchase new. Low price = beginner model... thin sound... pour intonation... weak solder joints. Higher price = better construction... better finish... better intonation... bigger sound. Always choose 4-valve over 3-valve and rotary over piston (if you have the money to do so). Always choose upright bell over front bell. Buy a hard shell case: It will cost a few hundred dollars now but will save hundreds in repairs down the road.

Other large instruments to consider for purchase would be (in score order) cello, string bass, bassoon, bass clarinet, baritone sax (sorry, I had to put it down), F-Horn, drum set, electric bass amp, electronic keyboard(s) and harp. These are instruments that most people did not own back in high school or college. The band or orchestra director in their school may have provided these instruments to them in order to round out their ensemble. Or, the school rented these instruments at a reduced rate because of the cost of an individual purchasing these instruments. Either way, you may have people in already in your church that could play in your instrumental group if they only had an instrument to play.

Case in point: I had someone in my church that played F-Horn in high school and college but never owned his own horn. He signed up to play in our All-Church Orchestra. I was able to provide an instrument for him. He had never played his horn for the glory of the Lord because he got saved years after he stopped playing. Playing that evening for the Lord was such a blessing to him that he joined our orchestra and still plays in it today! By the way, he just recently purchased his own instrument and turned in the "loaner" so someone else could receive the same blessing. God is good (all the time)! And he can do the same for you and your ministry!

Instrument Purchasing (Part 3)

Check back!

 Instrument Purchasing (Part 4) - Instrument Purchasing/Lease Purchase

One option that combines great discounts while still using your local music store is the idea of a lease-purchase. How does this work? Most major instrument manufacturers have a program that will allow you to purchase a certain amount of merchandise and divide the cost over several years. In addition, the manufacturers offer large discounts through this program. You get the benefit of purchasing the instruments at today's prices and using them years before you could purchase them individually.

I did two lease-purchases at a former church and it was a blessing! I bought 3 timpani, a set of chimes, crash cymbals, a tuba, a bass clarinet and spread the payments over three years. The discount I received ranged from 40 to 45%. By the time the last lease payment was made, the chimes I had purchased three years before had increased in cost by 29%. All of the other instruments increased in cost as well.

How long have the instrument companies offered this program? They've offered this to churches for almost 20 years and to school bands for longer than that! There are some requirements for you to qualify, such as church budget and minimum (and maximum) amount of purchase. Talk to your local music store for further details or contact the manufacturer of the instrument(s) you want to purchase.

 Instrument Purchasing (Part 5) - Instrument Purchase vs. Used Instruments

There are many avenues of finding and purchasing used instruments. Just remember two things: (1) Pray for the Lord to direct your path, and (2) Know what you're looking for through research and legwork. Important: Keep in mind that a $50.00 clarinet needing a $150.00 pad job = $200.00 used clarinet (not a good deal). But, if the clarinet lists for $1,500.00 new, it would be a great deal. Here is a list of some of the places to look for used instruments.

Local Music Store. This is probably the most reliable place to purchase used instruments. The store owner has (more than likely) gone through the instruments and done any necessary repairs to get them in PC (playing condition). Again, do your research. Know the different makes and models.
The Internet. Many websites are dedicated to the sale of "preowned" musical instruments. Even "Ebay" has a large site for instruments. Use a search engine to find the appropriate place for you to shop.
Pawn Shop. In the old days (I have no idea when the old days started, it just sounds good), you could find good deals on a regular basis in pawnshops. Most of their pricing nowadays is regulated on a computer database. So, the readily available "ideal" is not as likely as in days gone by. It's still worth a trip ever so often. You might find a great surprise!
Yard or Garage Sales. This is one of the riskiest but most rewarding ways to purchase used instruments. Prices are (usually) extremely low - They want to clear out their garage or attic space. It is true that one man's trash is another man's treasure! You can ask for less - small woodwind and brass instruments are the most common. Be careful of the small woodwind instruments. If they have been sitting in an attic or garage for years, the humidity (or lack of humidity) and heat can ruin pads, corrode keys and damage wood. Always weigh the cost and repair cost against a new instrument. Sometimes they are not that far apart!

Instrument Purchasing (Part 6) - Used Instruments

Here are some additional places to look for used instruments:

Classified Ads. Some people don't "do" garage sales. They prefer to use the local paper as their medium for selling and purchasing. Check "pennysaver" flyers, as well as newspapers from surrounding areas. Check out the instrument for needed repairs before you purchase. Always research the make and model to make sure you are purchasing what you need. It never hurts to give a word of testimony to the Lord as to why you are looking to purchase their instrument. You may get a better price or get to share the Gospel!
School System Auctions. Your local school system has auctions periodically to reduce the amount of inventory piling up in county warehouses. Some school systems let you go through the items to be auctioned before the day of the auction. This is a good place to find large used instruments such as timpani or tubas. Prices you pay depend on others who are bidding against you. Keep in mind that the instruments will probably need repair work. If they were in working condition, they'd still be in the Band Room!
Service Band Auctions. Our Armed Forces have the same type of auctions as the school system and are conducted on military bases. The quality of the instruments is much higher than the school system, as well as the condition of the instruments for sale. Prices, again, depend on those who are bidding against you.
Donations from church members. This is, obviously, the least expensive of all the options. Advertise in your church periodicals, stating the need for certain instruments. Some may have an instrument to donate or give monies toward a purchase. Let your congregation know that they can receive contribution credit if they donate the instrument to the church. You must then write them a letter (for tax purposes) indicating the instrument and the appraised value (from your local music store). What if I get a bunch of old, unusable instruments? Many times, your local music store will trade or give you repair credit for the unusable instruments.

Have you found a place to purchase instruments that others need to know? Email me at skirby@idlewild.org and I'll pass the blessing on to everyone!