Guide to Buying a Keyboard Instrument

Recommendations by Dr. Kristen Tate

First:
Determine the type of instrument for which you will be looking: Use the following factors to pick a category.

Price/budget:
Be honest about how much you can and will spend.  Although you might decide later to extend yourself a bit and purchase a more expensive instrument, start with a figure that is reasonable and realistically obtainable.

Use - practice vs. performance:
Is this instrument going to be mainly for practice?  Perhaps you are still in high school, and need a marimba on which to develop your chops for university.  Ultimately, you know you want a 5 octave marimba, but you're not sure you can afford one now.  The best approach might be to buy a less expensive, smaller instrument on which to hone your skills - one that will fit into your dorm room or apartment, so that you can practice when you want.  You'll be able to use the university's 5 octave for some practice  and for your recitals, and so can wait until you graduate to buy your 5 octave.  By then you'll be in a better position to afford it and to judge whether you still want it!  Besides, you can always sell your old instrument to help pay for the new one.

Range - necessary vs. future:
Again, for what purpose are you buying the instrument?  If you think you'll be using it mainly for practice, what is the range you really need?  Sure, down the road you'll be using that low #, but right now you can't even hold 4 mallets.  Maybe you should consider buying a low A first - it'll sure be easier to move when you gig.

Material/type of wood:
What type of wood do you want?  Without getting into specifics, you need to look realistically at the use (and abuse) the instrument will be getting.  Are you planning on basking in the streets - rain or shine?  You're paying a lot of money for bars - make sure they'll withstand all of the weather changes and cartage in store for them.  Although the best wood is still the Dark Honduran Rosewood, now there are some good sounding alternatives that are gentler on the finances yet hardy.  Among them are paduk, Rosewood lite, and various synthetics.  The Rosewood lite in particular sounds much like the dark rosewood, but is not nearly as expensive.

Portability/frame type:
How often are you going to move your instrument?  Are there going to be students of varying heights using it?  Study the variety of frame options available and their impact on the uses planned - do the legs adjust up and down?  Can you lift the various pieces without throwing out your back?  Is the frame going to suffer severely if you are in a hurry and don't use blankets, etc?  Open-end frames don't necessarily look in-elegant in performance, and are often less expensive and more portable.

How to do your research:
Once you've decided on a category of instruments, how do you decide on the brand?  Compare like with like, and stick within your category - don't compare one brand's 4.3 octave with another's 5 octave.  Remember, now you are looking at the specific difference; right now, you'll be able to see if that really good deal is actually because the bars are narrower and shorter than most.

Frame:
Again, check the dimensions and the design.  Is it sturdy and stable?  How easily does it come apart, and into how many pieces?  Will you be able to transport those pieces in your car, or will you have to borrow/rent/buy another vehicle?  Do you like the material from which it is made?

Guarantee/Repairs:
How does the company stand behind its instruments?  Can you receive a placement bar if it sours upon arrival?  How difficult will it be to obtain new cord?  Talk to other owners of the same instrument - have they had any problems with the company?  If you are buying through a dealer, how receptive are they to future concerns/problems?  Make sure they are willing to follow up the sale with service, even if all you need is a rubber peg sleeve.

Sound:
Of course, the determining factor will always be the sound of the various instruments.  Your budget might point to Brand A's synthetic 4 octave, yet your ear prefers the Rosewood lite 4.3 octave from Brand B.  Remember, even if you are using the instrument for practice only, you're the one who will be hearing it!  Thus, the most important part of your research will be:
The TEST PLAY.