Musical instruments are tools built to produce sound through vibration, whether by striking, plucking, blowing, or pressing keys. Buying the right one depends on what you need, how long you have been practicing, and what kind of tone you want. This guide covers where to buy instruments both online and in store, what features matter most, and which pitfalls trip up first-time buyers. If you are looking for a guitar, a keyboard, a violin, or a full drum kit, the retailers and tips below will point you toward the best deals without the guesswork.
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What Are Musical Instruments and Who Needs Them
A musical instrument is any device designed to create musical sound, from a concert grand piano to a simple wooden recorder. People pick them up for wildly different reasons. A 7-year-old starting lessons has different needs than a jazz saxophonist gigging on weekends. Students, hobbyists, worship teams, session musicians, and retired adults all fall into the buyer pool. The National Association of Music Merchants reports that roughly 54 percent of U.S. households contain at least one person who regularly makes music. That is a big market, and it means retailers stock everything from beginner bundles under $100 to professional-grade brass models topping $5,000.
What to Look For: 6 Features That Separate Good Instruments From Bad Ones
The right pick feels natural in your hands and stays in tune without a fight. Here is what to check before you spend money.
Build quality and materials. Solid wood tops on guitars produce richer tone than laminate. Brass models made from yellow brass or gold brass hold up better than cheap alloys. Pick it up and check for rough seams, loose keys, or buzzing strings.
Playability and action. On stringed instruments like guitar and bass, action refers to the distance between the strings and the fretboard. High action makes fretting painful for beginners. Ask the shop to do a setup before you take it home.
Sound projection and timbre. Timbre is the tonal quality that makes a violin sound different from a flute even at the same note. Test it in the store or listen to demo recordings. Thin, tinny tone usually signals poor construction.
Size and fit. Keyboards range from 25-key mini controllers to full 88-key weighted models. Violins come in fractional sizes (1/4, 1/2, 3/4) for younger students. Something too large discourages practice.
Included accessories. Beginner bundles often include a case, tuner, strap, and extra strings. Buying these separately can add $50 to $80 to the total cost. Compare what each bundle includes before choosing.
Brand reputation. Yamaha, Fender, Gibson, Pearl, and Selmer have decades of track records. Lesser-known brands can surprise you, but stick with reviewed models. Check verified buyer ratings before committing.
3 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Instruments
The most common mistake is buying based on price alone, because the cheapest option almost always sounds the worst and breaks the fastest.
Skipping the hands-on test. Ordering online without ever holding that type of product leads to returns. A guitar neck that feels great to one person can feel like a baseball bat to another. Try before you pay when possible, or buy from retailers with free return shipping.
Ignoring setup and maintenance costs. A new guitar often needs a professional setup ($40 to $70). Woodwinds need new reeds regularly. Brass horns require valve oil. Factor ongoing costs into your budget, not just the sticker price.
Buying a “pro” model too early. A beginner does not need a $2,000 horn. Student-grade models from reputable brands like Yamaha or Bach are designed for learners and hold resale value well. Upgrade after your skills outgrow it, not before.
Where to Buy Instruments In Store
Buying in person lets you hear the sound, test the feel, and walk out with your purchase the same day. Here are the best brick-and-mortar options.
Guitar Center
Guitar Center, the largest musical instrument retailer in the United States, stocks guitars, bass guitars, drums, percussion gear, woodwind models, and recording equipment across more than 300 locations. The staff typically knows their products, so you can get hands-on advice. They also offer a price-match guarantee. Browse their full catalog. Call your local store first to confirm they have the specific model you want in stock.
Walmart
Walmart, the largest brick-and-mortar retailer in the U.S., carries a limited but affordable selection of instruments. Expect beginner acoustic guitars, entry-level pianos, ukuleles, and small percussion items like bongos and tambourines. The online inventory is broader than what you find on shelves. Use the store availability filter on their website before driving over. Check current selection on their site.
Pawn Shops
Pawn shops can be gold mines for secondhand gear at steep discounts. You might find a solid Fender Stratocaster for half the retail price or a quality trumpet collecting dust in a back case. The catch: no returns, no warranty, and condition varies wildly. Inspect every item carefully. Test the tuning pegs, check for cracks, and bring a friend who knows their stuff if you are not confident evaluating quality yourself.
Local Music Stores
Independent music shops often match or beat chain store prices and provide more personalized service. The owner might know your name after two visits. Many offer rentals, repair services, and lessons under one roof. Search Yelp or Google Maps for “music store near me” to find shops in your area. Supporting local keeps these stores alive, and they tend to carry niche or specialty items that big chains skip.
Where to Buy Instruments Online
Online shopping gives you the widest selection and the ability to compare prices across dozens of retailers in minutes. Here are the strongest options for buying gear on the web.
Amazon
Amazon, the largest online retailer, carries products from every major brand. Prime members get free two-day shipping on most items, and the return policy is generous (30 days for most orders). You will find everything from student violin outfits to professional electronic instruments and recording accessories. Read verified buyer reviews carefully, because some third-party sellers list items with misleading descriptions. Shop instruments on Amazon.
Sweetwater
Sweetwater is a specialty music retailer based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Every order ships with a free inspection through their 55-point quality check process, and each customer gets a dedicated sales engineer who can answer technical questions by phone or email. Their return window is generous and they stock everything from beginner guitar packages to high-end concert pianos. Serious musicians consider Sweetwater a top-tier online option.
eBay
eBay remains one of the best places to find secondhand and vintage gear at below-retail prices. Auction listings can land you a deal, but “Buy It Now” listings are safer for beginners who do not want to get caught in a bidding war. Always check the seller rating and read the full description. Browse instruments on eBay. Look for listings that include original cases and documentation, which signal careful ownership.
Top Instrument Picks for Beginners and Intermediate Players
These picks balance quality, feel, and value. Each one is a strong starting point for its category.
Best beginner acoustic guitar: Yamaha FG800. Solid spruce top with a warm, full tone that punches above its price range. Around $200 to $230. Check price on Amazon
Best budget keyboard: Casio CT-S300. 61 touch-sensitive keys, built-in lessons, and Bluetooth connectivity. Weighs under 7 pounds. Around $140 to $170. Check price on Amazon
Best student violin: Cecilio CVN-300. Hand-carved solid wood with ebony fittings. Comes with a case, bow, rosin, and extra strings. Around $80 to $120. Check price on Amazon
Best starter drum kit: Pearl Roadshow RS525SC. Five-piece kit with hardware and cymbals included. Pearl, a leading percussion manufacturer, builds these for durability in practice rooms and small venues. Around $500 to $600. Check price on Amazon
Best beginner saxophone: Jean Paul AS-400. A popular alto saxophone for students, with a brass body and nickel-plated keys. Strong reviews from band directors. Around $300 to $370. Check price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Instruments
What is the easiest instrument to learn as an adult?
The ukulele is widely considered the easiest stringed option for adult beginners because it has only four strings and a short neck. Piano also ranks high because the notes are laid out visually. Most adults can manage a basic song on either within a few weeks of practice.
How much should a beginner spend on their first purchase?
Budget $100 to $300 for a quality beginner option in most categories. Going below that range usually means poor build quality that makes learning harder. Going above it is unnecessary until your skills justify an upgrade. Student-grade models from Yamaha, Fender, and Casio hit the sweet spot.
Can you rent instead of buying?
Yes. Many local music stores and online services offer rental programs, especially for band and orchestra gear. Rentals typically run $20 to $50 per month. Most rental agreements include a rent-to-own option, so your payments build toward ownership if you decide to keep it.
Are secondhand instruments worth buying?
Secondhand gear can be excellent value, especially for guitars, brass, and percussion. A well-maintained one often sounds better than a brand-new budget model because it has already been broken in. Inspect for structural damage, test all moving parts, and factor in any needed repairs before deciding.
What instruments are used in jazz?
Jazz relies on saxophone, trumpet, piano, double bass, and drums as its core ensemble. The clarinet, trombone, and organ also appear frequently. Each serves a specific role, from the rhythm section (bass, drums, piano) to the melody and improvisation voices (saxophone, trumpet). Most jazz groups combine wind, keyboard, and percussion.
Reviewed by the wheretobuyguides.com editorial team. Last updated: April 2026.
Start by deciding which type of instrument fits your goals, whether that is a guitar for campfire songs or a piano for formal lessons. Visit a store like Guitar Center or a local music shop to try before you buy, then compare prices online at Amazon or Sweetwater. If you are on a tight budget, check eBay and pawn shops for quality secondhand gear that still has years of life in it. The right instruments are out there, and finding them does not have to be complicated. You may also want to explore our guide to buying band shirts for the music fan in your life, or browse more shopping guides in our electronics category.