Try B4 U buy

Where I live the chances of having much choice of an instrument or spending much time with it b 4 I buy it is negligent. So I was delighted to be in Manhattan for a week and B able to shop around. I intended to buy a used Buffet. On W 47 and 48st & 7Ave. I had great fun with a choice of four stores. Especially in AK Wind Instrument Centre on W 47th. I could’ve tried everything in the shop if I had the inclination. But I stuck to my price range in the used dept. $300 – 750. Mr Alexander, musician, teacher and restorer of instruments and an encyclopedia on them also, was a tremendous help. I tried out a Boosie & Hawkes, a Martin Freres, a Noblet, a McIntire (that’s the one with the fgab in a straight line, left hand), a Yamaha & a Masson, to name but a few. And a clarinet made from brass that looked like a converted Flute! Not to mention the personal attention and “free tips” he gave me in the two hours I spent in his shop. I was surprised that each instrument had a different feel in my hand! In the end I bought the Noblet because each time I picked it up it sounded beautiful and fitted perfectly under my fingers like a glove and also fitted my price range. I highly recommend a trip to Manhattan for all brass and wind instrument lovers to try B 4 U buy.

No thanks, buddy.

You obviously have no problems sourcing instruments where you live, sister!!

Dateline is watching you, buddy!

no offence, but that was a tad rude! dickdona was giving practical advice, and you replied in a rather off setting way!
I would love to go to manhatten and try out bassoons! Actually, I would want to go to the wwbw store. I guess only musicians who plan on taking their music SERIOUSLY would be willing to invest time and money into finding the perfect instrument, but again, that's musicians who take what they do seriously!

Sounds like a great place. Having the option to try something before you shell several hundred to several thousand is incredible. The majority of the music stores near me are either chain stores or little hole-in-the-wallers that may carry one brand of band/orchestra instruments or may have one instrument in stock. May not be a bad idea to ask though!