Collectibles -> Cultures, Ethnicities -> Musical Instruments

Collecting woodwind instruments is a great way to collect not only some of the finest art ever created but to infuse music into your collection as well. Instruments are fascinating and beautiful bits of artwork in themselves, but they represent our history of music which is so important to the development of us as a culture and a people. Woodwind instruments date back farther than most people realize, with one type of instruments believed to date back 30,000 years and a recent find in Slovenia of a hollowed out bear-bone “flute” believed to date back 45,000 years.

Woodwind instruments are unique collectibles in that they’re not just there to look at, but they make sound, and they make a different quality of sound for each person. While the notes vary, of course, a personality can easily come through in the sound of the music played.

Whether you choose new, used or vintage instruments is a matter of personal choice. New woodwind instruments are direct from the manufacturer, are covered by a warranty and are in perfect condition. Used instruments are currently in production and not really considered collectibles, with much less value than a new or vintage items. New and used instruments are generally purchased by those who wish to learn to play or as a replacement instrument. Vintage woodwinds are no longer manufactured and are sought after by collectors.

Woodwind instruments differ from brass instruments because they use one or two reeds. A reed is a small piece of wood that vibrates to produce the instrument’s sound. Saxophones and clarinets use one reed, for instance, while an oboe and a bassoon use two reeds. In each of these instruments the reed is attached to the mouthpiece which goes in the player’s mouth. Flutes are also woodwind instruments, even though there’s no reed or mouthpiece similar to the other woodwinds. Original woodwinds were actually made of wood, but are now typically made of metal or plastics.

Woodwind instruments do require more care than many other types of collectibles. The outside should be cleaned carefully with a soft cloth, and depending on the material of the instrument, polishing may be necessary. If you play the instrument, the inside should be cleaned after each session by pulling a soft cloth through the barrel or by using a special cleaning brush designed for woodwinds.

When purchasing vintage woodwind instruments, it’s best if you can examine the instrument in person or you have a guarantee about the instruments condition, in the case of an online auction, and can examine it after arrival and return it if it doesn’t meet the terms of the agreement or your expectations. Besides age of the instrument, find out if the instrument has ever been damaged and repaired. Also, woodwinds use cork and padding in various spots that do deteriorate rapidly with age and use (and lack of use). When were those replaced, if ever? Also, don’t forget to ask who owned it before you, you might be surprised.

Photo Credits: unforth

Originally posted 2008-10-12 05:00:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Gramophones are a truly unique collectible and when they are in good condition, they offer not only enhanced value, but you may actually be able to use it. When you are shopping for a gramophone, there are a few things that you need to be aware of before putting your money down. Reproductions are a big business and it is always disappointing to find out that the antique you paid so much money for is actually a fake. Here are some tips to help you avoid that experience.

1. Does the gramophone actually work?
A working gramophone is worth more than one that is no longer functioning. However, you can find a great deal on a broken model that just needs a little TLC. If possible, ask the seller to let you listen to the gramophone if it is in working order. The quality of the tone should tell you a lot about the age of the item and whether or not it is a reproduction. Older models usually have a distinctive “old” sound just cannot be duplicated.

2. Will the seller allow you to look inside?
While you may be able to duplicate the exterior look of a gramophone, it is much easier to replicate the innards. Take a look inside and see how new the parts work. Granted, if it has been completely restored the parts will look very clean, but you should be able to tell if they are at least original. Ask the seller how much work has been done on the gramophone and then compare their response with what you find inside.

3. Do they have any recordings that will go with the gramophone?
This adds to the value of the item, especially if the recordings are in good shape. You can also learn a lot about the history of the gramophone if the original recordings come with it. Finding these can be difficult, but many times, especially with private collections, the old recordings will go with the machine. Try to find a gramophone that has at least one original recording that will come with it.

4. Is the case cracked?
This can make a big difference in the sound and how well the gramophone will work. It is best to try to find one that is in good condition, unless you have experience in restoring these machines. Trying to find someone that does can also be difficult, so if you are inexperienced, stick with the models that are still in good working order and cosmetically sound.

5. What material is the horn made out of?
Old gramophone are actually quite heavy, due to the fact that the metal horns were made of brass, or other heavy metals. A light gramophone may be an indication that either the item is not authentic, or the horn was replaced with inferior materials.

Gramophones are a delightful collectible, and can provide hours of amusement. It is best however to make sure that you are getting an authentic model, especially if you would like to be able to resell it someday.

Originally posted 2008-08-16 05:00:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Dealers -> Musical Instruments -> Keyboard

The first pianos to be called “grand” were manufactured in 1777, and soon became status symbols that the wealthy and affluent all wanted to own. A grand piano can command a room. Usually, it’s the largest piece of “furniture” in a room, and draws the eye the moment you enter. It turns any space in to a musical one, making it clear that there’s no room for any other purpose but music and grandeur. While grand pianos are beautiful and rather majestic looking, the difference between them and upright pianos goes far beyond mere size and scope.

In an upright piano, the strings are perpendicular to the keys, necessitated by the shape and size of the instrument. The chief benefits to owning an upright piano are the price, which is much less than a grand or baby grand, and the mobility. They’re easier to move, they can be placed against a wall and fit into a relatively small space for such a large instrument. The grand piano, however, takes up a huge amount of space. They’re large and more difficult to move, and pretty much demand a huge room that they won’t overwhelm with their size.

The strings in a grand piano stretch outward the length of the piano. This is what gives the grand piano, and even the baby grand, a much richer sound than an upright. The length of the strings allows for a truer tone and more resonance. Concerts and performances aren’t given on a grand piano just because it looks impressive on the stage—the sound quality is unparalleled. If you want to buy a grand piano, make sure you have a room large enough to do it justice. The ceiling height is an important consideration. A higher ceiling allows for more resonance of sound, while a ceiling that’s too low will only dampen the rich sounds of the piano.

When you decide to purchase a grand piano, you can choose a used or new instrument. This is a matter of personal preference, of course, but a well-loved and often-played instrument brings with it its own sense of history. While the sound of the instrument should be the most important consideration, you’ll want to make sure the wood is in good shape, the finish is true, and whether it’s original or has been renovated. A refinished grand piano can be a beautiful instrument, and better than one in bad condition, but you’ll want to know these details before you make a purchase.

Also keep in mind that grand piano lengths do vary quite a bit. If you’re looking to buy one simply for the appearance, then even a baby grand piano will give you the look you’re after in a smaller amount of space, and for a smaller price. But if the sound is important to you, and it should be, a longer grand piano is a better purchase than a shorter one, whether you’re buying used, antique or new. The longer the strings are, the truer and richer the tones will be.

Originally posted 2008-11-13 05:06:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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An accordion is a fascinating and unusual musical instrument that requires bellows, buttons or keys and reeds to make music. Though it looks like a fairly sturdy instrument, it’s actually pretty fragile on the inside and should be handled with care. When one part of the instrument breaks down, the whole instrument becomes quickly unusable, since all the parts of an accordion work together to make the sound.

While you can buy accordions in online auctions, it’s best to stick to someone who specializes in accordions and is willing to give you a written guarantee. The very best solution is to buy an accordion in person so you can be sure the instrument plays properly. Or have the seller play it a bit for you to be sure it’s in working order.

Though few people think of an accordion as a fine musical instrument, it is. And it requires tender loving care, just like every other musical instrument. In fact, it may be even more fragile than most instruments. An accordion contains several reeds—usually metal reeds. If one comes loose, the whole sound suffers. The reeds are usually attached with some sort of resin or beeswax, so this needs to be replaced by a reputable repair person every several years or so.

Not many manufactures ever dealt with creating the accordion. Scarlatti is a Chinese company that manufacturers accordions, and Delicia and Serenelini are Czech and Italian, respectively. These might be the most likely names you’ll find when look at accordians. If you do choose to buy an accordion from an online seller, be sure the case comes with the instrument. If the seller opts to ship the accordion without a case, you’ll most likely end up with a damaged instrument.

An accordion should be stored on its bass end, vertically—usually four or five little feet become apparent on closer inspection, offering a base on which to stand the accordion. It should be kept in a dry place, out of direct sunlight, in its closed case whenever possible. If you have the instrument apart at any time, don’t touch any of the metal inside, including the reeds. Where you touch it, it will rust. Also, don’t blow on a reed, as if to blow away dust. The moisture in your breath can also cause the reed to rust.

One of the key things when buying an accordion, is to make sure it’s in good condition. If you want the instrument to be playable—and you should want one that’s playable because those are the ones that have value—the cost of repairing the instrument can be very limited for some. It can cost a thousand dollars to have every reed replaced, so the better condition the accordion you buy, the longer it will last before it needs repairs or an overhaul. Few people want to purchase a collectible instrument only to have to pay over $1000 to have it restored. Contact an accordion dealer or repair person and ask questions before purchasing.

Originally posted 2008-12-05 05:00:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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