There are many cheap instruments currently being shipped in from overseas. They come and go by many names and are sold at the famous "big box" stores as well as some on-line retailers who may or may not have an otherwise reputable business. One such company sells on eBay as Slemer, playing of the world-famous Selmer brand!

The problem with these instruments is that while they look like a great value on the surface, closer inspection reveals an instrument that simply will not perform the tasks for which it is being sold. The beginning student is the most demanding customer of quality musical instruments. Without the basic quality afforded by a handful of specific brands of musical instruments, the beginning student is dealt a severe blow to his/her ability to learn to play at all.

Quality instruments are durable. This means more opportunity to learn and less hassle with a web site or big box retailer who know nothing about real world maintenance and/or repair of musical instruments. The quality is so bad on some of the instruments being offered, they simply don’t play and cannot be made to play correctly, if at all.

Quality instruments are easy to play. While the rest of the band is progressing nicely … the student with the big box brand is struggling to produce a clear tone. Why handicap a student with sub par quality? And should you decide to sell the instrument later, a Selmer will return more money than a Slemer!

These cheap instruments are specifically designed to do one thing; Make a quick profit for the dealer. A dealer who has no conscience and certainly could care less about whether or not a student fails at his/her first and very possibly last attempt at producing music of any kind.

Here is a simple test for checking the quality of an instrument: Ask the school band director or a music teacher before you buy! I’m amazed at how many times a parent will just try to guess.

You will find "first quality" instruments for sale at many local music stores including Mills Music and Kennelly Keys Music. One of my favorite online stores is Kessler & Sons Music in Las Vegas who services new instruments and ship for free. Instruments at these stores pass the tests of band directors and music educators. And if you buy locally, you can start a relationship with a repair tech, that might last you a lifetime.

Here’s what Kessler’s (just one example) has done for me. I wanted a low C bass clarinet. After talking with Chuck Kessler, I am purchasing a used Selmer that was used for the traveling Selmer show this year. The instrument will be like new and tweaked to the max for the show. And I’m getting it at under dealer cost with free shipping. If I don’t like it, I can send it back. I’ve got to tell you though that the four instruments I’ve purchased from Kessler & Sons Music have not been returned. One of them, a Selmer Ref 54 limited edition alto sax has an offer of more than I paid for it because it is such a sweet horn.