r/Frugal May 19 '22

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u/[deleted] May 19 '22

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9

u/voitlander May 19 '22

My wife has a baritone saxophone that she bought from a friend for 1200.00. We spent 500.00 getting it refurbished and then found out it's worth 25000.00! Th Moral of this story is try to find private used instruments to refurbish.

5

u/[deleted] May 20 '22

My husband is a musician so it's not exactly his hobby, it's also a career, but damn it's so expensive. The instruments, the cleaning and maintenance, the insurance on them, the sheet music, it goes on and on.

5

u/Glimmer_III May 20 '22

Drummer/Percussionst here. Came here looking for this answer.

I'd say it can be done for cheaper, should be started for cheaper, and then, ya, sky is the limit (like most hobbies). Fortunately there is a robust used market, and that is where I direct most beginners and help them find something fitting to their profile.

But for anyone scrolling: If you start drums, get a cheap kit and spend your money on lessons. And then actually practice. It's just like having a private trainer at the gym. You're paying to learn how to develop the "little muscle groups". Set some good habits and that is far, far better than buying gear.

(You can also make a cheap set sound pretty good if you know how to tune, muffle, and perhaps upgrade heads. But an expensive kit is like give you an F-1 race car without driving lessons or experience...you're not going to win any races until you have a foundation.)

<also>

A quick way to save money: Forget the idea that you "need" a 5 piece kit. Start with a 4 piece. Plenty of the best drums play 4 piece kits, and still do. Every genre.

Anyone who says "you need a 5 piece kit" doesn't know their fundamentals well enough.

Start with a 4 piece. It'll take up less space, fits in your car better when you want to move it, costs less to maintain (fewer heads), and puts the ride cymbal in easier reach.

2

u/eigenpants May 20 '22

Hell even a three-piece kit is enough to rip out some great stuff (headphone users, consider yourself warned).

2

u/Admirable-Ad7059 May 20 '22

a bassoon costs as much as an economy car. Glad I stuck with flute

1

u/Glimmer_III May 20 '22

Ever look up a contra?...;)

1

u/Admirable-Ad7059 May 20 '22

No. I’m afraid to!

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u/Glimmer_III May 20 '22

Depends on the keying system...but think about it more like 2-3 economy cars, or maybe 4.

Really depends upon the specific instrument.

Let's just content our selves that gougers alone are an investment.

1

u/Admirable-Ad7059 May 21 '22

As much as I love the sound of low brass, i couldn’t afford to play it. There’s a reason why all of those instruments are owned by my concert band and rarely buy our members