Managing Band Instrument Expense?

[Gone Fishing]

So my son is planning on playing Clarinet this year.  My wife is exploring rental and so far I have some vauge information about a rent to buy program for $30 a month with a $5 a month loss/damage option (which may come in handy knowing my son).  Without all the terms of this deal, it is impossible to compare, but other options may include buying something like this:

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2622453837583682781?q=clarinet&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=ivnsp&sa=X&ei=wkP_U8nGJMu4ggTAjIKgCA&ved=0CDUQ8wIwAw

Although if that is damaged, my son is SOL.

I'll try to post the full terms of the lease/buy when I hear back from my wife.

In the meantime, any advice?

[Magpie]

Plastic clarinets are pretty sturdy.  I played for 7 years in school and never needed any repairs.  Damage would most likely come from getting the pads wet, but that shouldn't warrant a professional repair.  My parents bought my clarinet used from a local music shop.  If you have a local shop, I'd check to see if they're selling any.

[Gone Fishing]

Thanks Magpie  I stopped by the local shop at lunch and they have a used one for $200.  It was obvious that their rent to buy program was too much, it basically doubled the cash price of the instrument.  And the insurance did not cover loss, just theft (not quite sure how they would tell the difference). So I guess we are down to a $200 used one or a $100 sight unseen new one.   

[Seppie]

Craigslist! We ended up getting two violins, using each for about 2 years, and then selling them for more than we paid.

We rented a trumpet for a couple of months, while we figured out what to look for in a trumpet - now I'm looking for one on CL.

We bought a drum kit with bells, snare, practice pad for the equivalent of 3 months rental. Just tonight, we added a 5 piece drum set that I got for $175. If and when he moves on to need higher quality, we will sell all of these for at least as much as we paid.

[Dee18]

Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a clarinet.  When my daughter began playing in middle school, I mentioned it to a couple friends and within days I had offers of free clarinets, abandoned by older kids.  I spent $40 on repairs (it was a great clarinet, worth about $400) and my daughter used it two years and then passed it on.

[Goldielocks]

Buy second hand from a departing student.  New head ( if you want to upgrade) and new reeds and you are good to go.  I bought mine for about $70 that way.

[Gone Fishing]

Ended up going with this one: 

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2622453837583682781?q=clarinet&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=ivnsp&sa=X&ei=wkP_U8nGJMu4ggTAjIKgCA&ved=0CDUQ8wIwAw


Seems to be okay so far....

[skunkfunk]

Ended up going with this one: 

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2622453837583682781?q=clarinet&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=ivnsp&sa=X&ei=wkP_U8nGJMu4ggTAjIKgCA&ved=0CDUQ8wIwAw


Seems to be okay so far....

Good call. $100 is cheap for an instrument, it'll be great if your kid sticks it out for marching band. No big loss when it gets hit by a flag or something.

Later on, if your kid is good and continues, something like this will get your kid all the way through college. They can be had new if you look around for $700 or so and play beautifully. Personally I prefer the ones with rollers for the pinky keys, but clarinet players around here will laugh you out of the room if you try that.

[ltt]

Used clarinets sometimes need new pads.  For one of our instruments, we added a rider to our homeowner's policy, that way it's covered.  It basically cost $7 or $8 to add a $1400 instrument.

[sheepgetlambs]

What state are you in? (You can PM me if you don't want to advertise where you are.) I have a M.Mus. in clarinet performance and teach private lessons to add to our stash. If by some strange coincidence you're in my area (Wisconsin) I would be happy to barter. And, if I'm not in your area, I encourage you to barter for a few lessons from a good teacher. Clarinet can be maddeningly difficult unless you get the air stream and embouchure (shape of the mouth) right at the beginning. If those are in place and set as habits early on, it's an absolute blast to play.