BEWARE OF ISOs (Instrument-Shaped Objects) These are the cheap instrument-shaped objects found on online auctions, other internet sources, and large chain stores. Although we will refrain from mentioning specific stores, keep in mind that if you can also buy toilet paper, jeans, or tires from the store, then it is not a music store, and it will not have musically knowledgeable personnel. You get what you pay for. If it’s inexpensive, it’s not a quality instrument. A bad instrument is be harder to play in tune and with good tone quality, will likely produce a non-standard instrument sound, will not blend well in the band, will be impossible to repair correctly, and will almost always frustrate the student to the point of eventually quitting. Many repair people refuse to work on these instruments, because they cannot guarantee the results. A good quality student instrument made by a respected manufacturer, with proper care, can last throughout middle school, high school, and beyond. If after looking at the list below, you still have questions about a particular instrument brand, please contact me. The following is a list of trusted and reputable musical instrument brands.
This list is not exclusive, but you are much more likely to do well if you choose an instrument from one of these manufacturers.
Flute: Armstrong, Artley, Avanti, Bundy, Carnegie XL (CXL), Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Jupiter, Olds, Pearl, Selmer, Yamaha
Oboe: Bundy, Carnegie XL (CXL), Fox, Jupiter, Loree, Olds, Renard, Selmer, Yamaha Bassoon: Amati, Bundy, Fox, Jupiter, Olds, Renard, Selmer, Yamaha,
Clarinet: Artley, Buffet, Bundy, Carnegie XL (CXL), Jupiter, LeBlanc, Noblet, Normandy, Olds, Selmer, Vito, Yamaha, Yanagisawa
Bass Clarinet: Bundy, Jupiter, Selmer, Yamaha
Saxophone: Amati, Blessing, Bundy, Carnegie XL (CXL), Conn, Jupiter, King, Olds, Selmer, Yamaha, Yanagisawa
Trumpet: Bach, Benge , Blessing, B&S, Carnegie XL (CXL), Conn, Getzen, Holton, Jupiter, Kanstul, King, Olds, Yamaha
French Horn: Bach, Blessing, Carnegie XL (CXL), Conn, Holton, Hoyer, Jupiter, King, Olds, Reynolds, Yamaha
Trombone: Bach, Blessing, Carnegie XL (CXL), Conn, Getzen, Holton, Jupiter, King, Olds, Yamaha
Baritone Horn: Bach, Blessing, Carnegie XL (CXL), Conn, Holton, Jupiter, King, Olds, Reynolds, Yamaha
Tuba: Bach, Carnegie XL (CXL), Conn, Holton, Jupiter, King, Olds, Reynolds, Yamaha
Percussion: (Snare Drum and Bell Kit): Ludwig-Musser, Pearl, Premier, Vic Firth, Yamaha