What are the disadvantages of buying a trumpet (or any instrument) online? I ask about disadvantages because people who buy online already know pretty much what the advantages of buying online are: attractive prices with potential for really great deals in the auction context.

If the purchase is for a student who has never laid lips on a trumpet, then buying online has the distinct disadvantage of the potential musician: a student doesn’t know what to look for. But let’s say the student gets lucky and the instrument is in good shape and is mechanically adequate. The potential disadvantage is of not fitting, not gelling, not connecting, not making good chemistry. It is strange, but those who have some experience playing know that even very nice trumpets might not set well with you.

Bottom line for beginners: Better to buy your instrument in a store where you are taking lessons. You’ll get the service that is necessary when you are at the point where you most need guidance.

One more hint for the student: try asking older people at church or the local Lion's club who might want to give away any no-longer-used instruments to kids. You never know.

Now, if you are not a beginner, read on. The disadvantage of buying online is that maybe you get an instrument that is a great bargain and sounds really nice and feels really good. The operative word is MAYBE. Because maybe implies MAYBE NOT.

Some advice on these eBay guides for buying instruments: If the reviewer has not actually played an X-brand trumpet or other instrument, the review is at best suspect for bias and at worst the result of a big brand paying somebody to blah-blah legitimate competitors. I don’t have any way of knowing one way or another, so this is not a claim against any reviewer. Rather, this is a bona fide caution for the wise buyer.

Experience counts, but only if you actually have it. What I mean is that if I say Berkeley trumpets are "junk because they’re made in China," but I’ve never actually played one, then I have no valid facts upon which to base my opinion. If I say that Tristar trombones are junk because they’re made in India, but I’ve never even as much as held one in my hands, then how can I have a worthwhile opinion about it? Location of manufacturer is not a reliable index of quality, political issues notwithstanding.

Years ago, Japanese products were inferior when they first landed on the American market. That’s not the case anymore, is it? Think Yamaha. Think Toyota. Now some Chinese products seem to be in the same transitional point. There are probably some very good deals and some real junk. And some in between. But these things cannot be known without some sort of objective, unbiased consumer report on them.

All I’m saying is that one can potentially buy an expensive horn from a reputable maker and still not be happy with the instrument, or buy something apparently cheap and be quite happy. Two examples from real life.

While serving in Iraq, I bought online from a distributor a brand new professional Kanstul trumpet in C. It was a genuine-silver-plated precision beauty to behold and hold. It had a nice sound. However, the valves were never quite responsive enough for me even after I took the instrument to the factory and they worked on it. It didn’t feel right to me and the sound felt stiff. I was never really happy with it. Finally, and with mixed feelings, I sold it. The Kanstul cost me $1,545; the deluxe case cost $200. I sold it for $1,200, including the case! The new owner is as happy as a cat let loose in a fish market. On the other hand, I bought online a used Olds b-flat cornet. Has some dents and wear, but the valves move flawlessly and quickly. After some really needed cleaning, the cornet and I have a good chemistry going. It feels right, it sounds right, it plays right.

Bottom line: If you have some experience as a musician and choose to buy online, there is the risk that you may not be happy with the instrument even if it’s perfect. If the seller has a consumer-friendly return policy, go for it. Try it. If you like it, keep it. It’s that easy.

I have written guides for several Chinese instruments. Some of them I have returned to the seller. I resold an Olds cornet I should have kept, but have not written about it. The one brand I will never write for because I will never try it is the Tristar brand: Return policy is NOT consumer friendly (exchange) and the shipping is outrageous if you have to return it. Otherwise, I'd try one of their brass instruments.

In summary: If you are a beginner, it is almost always best to start with a store and a teacher connected to that store for service and guidance. If you have some experience, then buying online can be a good experience if you deal with somebody who has a buyer-friendly return policy that gives you the latitude to test whether the instrument and you are a good match. If the instrument plays well, is mechanically sound, and feels good playing it, then it doesn’t matter whether it was made in the South Pole, Russia, Africa, or the USA. And anybody who says otherwise without proof? Well, you decide whether to take that kind of “opinion” seriously. Remember, the USA outsources so much of its manufacturing that it's quite possible the so-called "junk" manufacturer is simply putting out instruments with an off label.