Choosing musical equpiment - tips

by Howard B. session musician and retailer.
(UK)

When choosing equipment be sure it has some re-sale value, this is not only wise but vital if you want to progress as you become more involved.
Guitars........

There are thousands of guitars, but really only two makes that have stood the test of time, and constantly increase in value, Gibson and Fender end of story.

I am not dissing other makes, PRS, Gretch, Rickenbackers, parkers, Yamaha,s the list goes on, but as soon as you take them out of the shop, you have lost money. A gibson or Fender will always hold it,s value, and the older it gets the more it,s worth.

Same goes for keyboards in a way, every manufacturer brings out a classic every once in a while, from moogs to Rolands also korg and Yamahas, also the newer kids on the block, nord, emu, etc, there is nothing worse than reading a review on some all singing all dancing keyboard-then parting with hundreds of pounds, only to find 3 months later the company is promoting a new model and yours is old news now, keyboards manufactures are the worst at this.

Stick to well known brand names.

Never buy anything of e-bay without knowing the models history and condition. Check out some of the sound first, remember a keyboard may offer over a 1000 different patches (sounds) but do you really need them? basic sounds are the thing you will use mostly, good pianos, strings etc.

I will fess up, I am a ex-pro session musician and studio owner, and I have retail business,s both online and static so I would like to sell you anything, but first and foremost I am a musician, this is why I offer the advice. Buy carefully and just because you have read the advert and are convinced 'it's' for you, maybe you should step back and think about what I have written.