Sometimes students and parents come to me looking for upgrade instruments, and great deals can often be found online. However, it's crucial to approach this the right way. The key is to stick with name brands, as there are hundreds of listings for extremely cheap "no name" brands that aren't worth your time or money. Always read the description thoroughly, as used instruments may sometimes be missing important parts or may need repairs. If a woodwind instruments' condition isn't specified, assume it will need some new pads and factor in an extra $50-$100 for potential repairs to avoid any surprises.

As a primarily brass player, I've spent a lot of time researching this topic and have been purchasing instruments for students on eBay for several years. I offer this guidance to help prevent you from getting ripped off, as I've seen many well-meaning parents buy subpar instruments for their children. The prevalence of "El Cheapo" brands forces us to be proactive in informing parents and students. I'm always willing to look at an instrument or auction and give you my opinion on whether it's a good deal. Just send me a link, and I'll let you know what I think. I firmly believe in the advantage of buying a quality used instrument over a shiny, inferior one any day.

While some teachers might disagree with my suggestions, I understand that the musical world is subjective and teachers often have strong opinions. I recognize that many "better" instruments could be recommended, but these recommendations don't always consider a family's financial realities or the student's future plans in music. Just putting a better instrument in a student's hands won't make them a better player, but it might inspire a less dedicated student to practice more. My goal is to equip students with better instruments through a realistic financial investment, with the understanding that they can upgrade again if they pursue music further in college.

FLUTES:

One key factor to look for in a flute is the amount of solid silver it has. While all flutes look "silver," most are actually silver-plated brass. At a minimum, aim for a solid silver headjoint. Open holes and a B-foot are also great additions, as they significantly enhance the flute's tone and resonance. Although the low range of the B-foot isn't used often, the added mass benefits the overall sound. Open holes can be tricky at first, but plugs can be used until you get used to them. Other features like French pointed key arms are nice but not as crucial as having a solid silver headjoint, B-foot, and open holes. Be cautious, as some student-level instruments have open holes and even gold-plated lips on a silver-plated flute, which may not provide the same quality.

 The Gemeinhardt 3shb has solid silver head and silver-plated body, the B-foot and open holes.  You can find it with a gold lip plate.  At any given time I can find 5-10 of these for sale on eBay, so it is unlikely that the price will get driven too high.  They sell for over $800 new, and prices from $300-$500 used are not uncommon.  If you are looking for the offset G or gold lip plate, expect a little more competition since they are not as common.  The newer model number is 30shb, although a recent search on eBay did not turn any up.  The Gemeinhardt 3sb is solid silver (not just the head) and can be found, but again not quite as commonly.  Strangely the price is not a whole lot more on eBay, probably since most people know of the shb and not the solid silver version.  That would be the better flute, objectively speaking, so start your search there. Armstrong's model 303B has similar features, and also can be found readily online.  Armstrong's model 800 is the solid silver version, but does not seem to be as plentiful.  If the B-foot is not a necessity, you might look for the C-foot version of either of these flutes (omit the "b" from your search.... I know that works for at least the Armstrongs...)  you might find a deal lurking since pretty much everyone looks for the B-versions.

CLARINETS:

The Buffet E-11 is a very good intermediate upgrade clarinet, solid granadilla wood and shares many characteristics with the Buffet R-13, a well considered professional clarinet.  The E-11 has silver-plated keys, which should at least cosmetically hold up better than nickel-plated keys.   This would be a good choice for a developing player, perhaps not good enough for one intending on pursuing music as a career, but considering they sell new for under $1000 not a bad compromise.  Used (depending on condition) go for around $300-500 They seem to hold good re-sale value on eBay, so you could certainly re-sell yours and upgrade if necessary, or keep it as a back-up instrument.

SAXOPHONES:

Stick with "intermediate" level saxophones from the reputable brands listed above and you will be OK. Here's a few places to start:

• Yamaha YAS 52 (around $700)

• Yamaha YAS 23 ($300-$400)

• Yamaha YAS 24

• Selmer AS300 ($200-400)

• Evette (Buffet Crampon)

• Conn 18m

• Conn 28m

• King 600

TRUMPETS:

The Bach Stradivarius trumpet is a universally accepted standard... and considering they have been made for 60 years or so, the inventory is certainly there to be had. Depending on age and condition, they can be found for as little as $700.  Getzen is another brand to consider, the 700S and 900's (Eterna and Doc Severinson models) seem to be good quality instruments.  The Capri was their intermediate level trumpet.

TROMBONES:

In step-up trombones you want to look for one with an f-attachment and a larger bore-size than "student" models.  The f-attachment or "trigger" does two things.  #1 it allows more technical facility in reaching 6th and 7th positions, as well as some important alternate positions for a few difficult notes, and #2 it opens up some lower notes impossible on the regular tenor trombone.  Technically, when made in larger bore sizes, these horns are tenor-bass trombones, as they can cover the range of both instruments.  Typical "symphonic" bore trombones are .547 bore, although an intermediate sized .525 bore is also available, and would be a good option for a student that is interested in an upgrade but not necessarily interested in collegiate study.  Always seek out an open wrap F-attachment rather than closed wrap F-attachment if you can, as the tone will be more open for those notes.   Quality of materials and workmanship is also important.

Older Conn 88H's are very well-renowned. Look them up by serial number and avoid the ones from around the 80's on to the early 2000's when  it seems quality went up considerably.  I have played newer ones at conferences in the past few years and like them a lot.  Bach Strad trombones are good instruments as well, make sure you know what bore size you are getting though.  They are made in both .525 (medium) and .547 size bore.  I believe the smaller bore is the model 36 and the larger the 42.  Generally it is best to get the larger bore, especially if you are going to study seriously as it will (in the long run) allow you better tone and volume.  

A lesser known trombone that is actually a great one for the money is the Blessing B88H, which as you might guess by the name, is a copy of the Conn 88H, and a quite decent one at that.  New they go for around $800-1000 and used they can be found for really good prices.  It is a .547 bore horn, and can be found in both open and closed wraps and a variety of bell materials.  I had a rose brass one in college and really liked the horn a lot.

 Getzen makes some nice trombones as well, after all they are the parent company of Edwards trombones, the first company to offer "Boutique" quality horns that are a customization from mouthpiece to bell.  Getzen "custom" series are pretty much the same as the Edwards line, just cheaper.  But Getzen trombones are not nearly as popular as other brands, so if you are eBay shopping, you will not find the same selection, and therefore higher prices.