Many internet traders sell second-hand (and new) instruments in poor condition and frequently buyers find it necessary to have their recently purchased instruments repaired! Often what originally seemed a bargain ends up an expensive nightmare. Some traders falsely claim that an instrument is in good condition relying on the fact that inexperienced players will not realise the instrument is faulty; other traders claim that an instrument has been "serviced" when really they have only checked there are no screws loose.

Some new student instruments are cheaper to buy than second-hand student instruments – why is this? This is because these new instruments are of poor quality and will have a very limited lifetime, either because they will soon need repair (and many repairers will not work on these cheaper instruments) or they simply do not meet the needs of any but the absolute beginner. It is unwise to buy these instruments, particularly for children, as they will very likely soon tire of playing them.

MUSICPRIDE sells quality second-hand instruments. These instruments are well made and will meet the needs of most players for many years. MUSICPRIDE thoroughly services all its instruments (see below), what is more we offer a 3- month warranty, and, because we are confident about the quality and condition of the instruments we sell, we offer a buy-back scheme.

On a price comparison you will always find a cheaper instrument. However we don’t believe you will find better value for money.

Refurbishment

All our instruments are refurbished to a very high standard by a qualified and experienced woodwind repairer.

MUSICPRIDE has 3 categories of refurbishment: Good playable condition, Student servicing and Custom servicing.

Small repairs

This means that any repairs necessary to bring the instrument into playable condition to enable the beginner player to play it with facility have been done. MUSICPRIDE does not sell such instruments, but a number are available on our sister site Allintune Music Basement – www.allintunemusicbasement.com

Student Service

This level of service is intended to make student instruments play adequately for players up to and including grade 5. The instrument is stripped down; the pads, tone-holes, and mechanism are cleaned; any leaking pads are replaced or re-seated as necessary; any loose or missing corks are replaced; the mechanism is regulated (with any excessive play or binding being removed); on flutes, the tenons are tightened if necessary and the head-cork replaced if required; on clarinets, any wobbly tenons are re-corked.

All instruments sold by MUSICPRIDE have received a Student service, unless they are graduate instruments and the customer has specified a custom service (see below).

Custom Service

This is for players above grade 5 (with a suitable instrument). It is intended to make the instrument play as well as possible. The instrument is stripped down and cleaned throughout. The mechanism of the instrument is made to operate as quietly as possible and to feel as balanced as possible; this is done by removing all play or binding from the mechanism, balancing the spring action, and using felt instead of cork on all articulated keys and some specific key heels. All pads are made to seat as well as possible – this may involve re-aligning keys (particularly the ring keys on a clarinet); flute pad seating on open keys is tested by unhooking the springs and letting the key close to sound the note without any finger pressure -  Saxophones undergo a similar test.