Would it be way too expensive to get some minor work (installing railroad spikes) done on my banjo... in Washington, DC? (vs. 'the suburbs' ?) If not, any recommendations of general instrument guru shop guys? [more inside]
posted on Jun 6, 2008 - 7 answers

Our kids, 5 and 7, haven't singled in on any specific instrument yet (nor, perhaps, will they ever), but they do love listening to, humming/singing, and dancing to all kinds of music, and playing the various "minor" instruments we've got. We're thinking about buying some sort of simple music machine/synth to have in the house for them play around with. Any recommendations?
posted on May 13, 2008 - 14 answers

Problem with Godin Multiac Nylon String Synth-access guitar - specifically the RMC pickup. [more inside]
posted on May 5, 2008 - 1 answers

Help me pick the best first instrument for a very small 6 year old. [more inside]
posted on Apr 23, 2008 - 23 answers

Does anyone know where to rent a high quality student cello short term in NYC? Ideally, I'd like something hand crafted and valued at 10 - 20 k, but if need be I'll go lower end. Looking for a bow, too. Thanks!
posted on Apr 21, 2008 - 2 answers

So I play guitar (fairly well) and ukulele (passably). I'm thinking about getting a baritone or tenor ukulele, but also strongly considering a guitalele. Where can I get one in America (in VA, DC, or NJ?) [more inside]
posted on Mar 23, 2008 - 3 answers

AskMe Musicians - I'm buying a drum set for the first time. What advice would you offer me? [more inside]
posted on Feb 15, 2008 - 14 answers

What was the harp-like instrument I saw Billy Connolly play? [more inside]
posted on Nov 27, 2007 - 7 answers

Where can I buy a rubab in Chicago or online? [more inside]
posted on Nov 27, 2007 - 2 answers

I want to buy a pedal steel guitar, and preferably I would like to buy one from Ed Naylor. I visited his shop in Portsmouth, Ohio, a few years ago and almost got one for US$500. His shop isn't there any more. Anyone know where I can find him? If not, anyone know where I can get a basic beginner's pedal steel guitar for under $1000?
posted on Nov 11, 2007 - 5 answers

How do I tackle feedback with a piezo pickup on a very small instrument (ukulele), running it through guitar amps or PA systems? [more inside]
posted on Oct 4, 2007 - 12 answers

Can you help me find more information on the mystery-maker of my Grandfather's violin? [more inside]
posted on Jul 25, 2007 - 4 answers

MusicalInstrumentFilter: I was watching a program on german folk music, and one musical instrument basically looked like a small milk churner, and made a .. uh.. farting sound. Anyone know the instrument?
posted on Jun 16, 2007 - 8 answers

In NYC, where can I get a violin CHEAPLY looked over and serviced? [more inside]
posted on Jun 13, 2007 - 7 answers

Please help me find a musical instrument to learn that fits all these qualifications (in order of importance): super easy to learn, small, cheap. [more inside]
posted on Apr 30, 2007 - 27 answers

I own a 50s reissue Stratocaster that I need to get some work done on. It's been in storage (not in a storage locker but someone's house, and not in a garage) for a couple of years, since I moved away from my hometown. Next month I'll be retrieving it. (Yay!) However, I'm not quite sure where to go in NYC to get that work done properly. I don't want my baby screwed up. Details inside. [more inside]
posted on Mar 24, 2007 - 8 answers

Real music-making onscreen: Fiction movies in which actors, portraying musician characters, actually play the instruments and/or sing? [more inside]
posted on Mar 13, 2007 - 63 answers

I'm looking for an interesting and inexpensive MIDI instrument. [more inside]
posted on Feb 16, 2007 - 15 answers

Help me find a good travel agent. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, and would love to find someone local, but I'm also open to other options. [more inside]
posted on Feb 11, 2007 - 3 answers

What do you think is the best inexpensive ($50 or less) pocketable musical instrument?
posted on Feb 4, 2007 - 44 answers

Short version: What cool musical equipment can I get for $200? [more inside]
posted on Jan 29, 2007 - 30 answers

How do I properly clean and tune a newly purchased, but second-hand, acoustic guitar? [more inside]
posted on Jan 29, 2007 - 11 answers

Should I buy a bass even though I can't afford one right now? Guitar Center offers no interest for a year, etc. What's the catch? [more inside]
posted on Nov 21, 2006 - 35 answers

Cheap, noisy and fun: Help me to build/make/collect dozens of inexpensive, whimsical musical instuments. [more inside]
posted on Sep 5, 2006 - 21 answers

Help me find somewhere online to purchase a theremin, preferrably cheaply. I'd just be a beginner, so great magical quality isn't an issue. Also, I have no problem with age as long as they function. There's aslo [more inside]
posted on Aug 16, 2006 - 6 answers

At what point during a concert (e.g. rock/pop/country) performance do you recognize and applaud the song performed? [more inside]
posted on Jun 5, 2006 - 27 answers

My cousin (a musician/producer-type) and I are taking a spectacular North American gear hunting road trip. What hot spots can you recommend? [more inside]
posted on May 23, 2006 - 2 answers

I have a 1997 Telecaster Plus with a rosewood fretboard that I'd like to darken up a bit. [more inside]
posted on May 19, 2006 - 11 answers

What's the least amount of money you can spend and still get a decent banjo? [more inside]
posted on Apr 1, 2006 - 5 answers

Last night I decided I want to play the violin. [more inside]
posted on Mar 30, 2006 - 22 answers

I'd like to buy a cello for around $500. I know nothing about celli. [more inside]
posted on Dec 27, 2005 - 18 answers

I might be getting a flute for Christmas... [more inside]
posted on Dec 15, 2005 - 13 answers

Pushbutton toys. Our 21-month old son absolutely loves anything with buttons, dials, and switches. But he's far past being interested in computer keyboards. What can I get him beyond Fisher Price, and more along the lines of dead instrument panels and video switchboards? The stuff on eBay always seems to be in working condition and bids well up past $100 (though I would pay that for something really nice). Any sources I might be able to look at, or maybe a different item I might have overlooked? I may be leaning towards an old-school oscilloscope for supervised play.
posted on Sep 29, 2005 - 18 answers

How should I sell my violin? [more inside]
posted on Sep 21, 2005 - 11 answers

BanjoFilter: I am looking to learn to play the banjo. I would like to buy a nice banjo that I can grow into (something with a decent tone ring), but I'd prefer to not spend a fortune on it. [more inside]
posted on Sep 6, 2005 - 9 answers

In the song "Sour Times" by Portishead, there is a bizarre stringed instrument with percussive elements in the background. I'm having a heck of a time figuring out what it is. [more inside]
posted on Aug 3, 2005 - 12 answers

How does one go about learning the pedal steel, or any musical instrument for that matter? [more inside]
posted on Jul 11, 2005 - 13 answers

I want to find out how to get a durable glossy lacquered(?) wood finish for pseudo wooden instrument cases. I know almost nothing about varnish/lacquer. My last attempt resulted in this, which is definitely the right look for the finish, but the problem is that it's far more prone to damage than it should be, such that I now feel I should try to keep the surface covered and protected, which makes me reluctant to actually ever take it out of the closet or use it. [more inside]
posted on Mar 12, 2005 - 11 answers

I badly need a recommendation for an audio-recording instrument (and directional mike) for print interviews. Many thanks beforehand. [More inside.]
posted on Feb 15, 2005 - 16 answers

What are some albums that make good use of the duduk? I've been hearing this instrument crop up more and more in film scores, such as Ronin and The Hulk, and it delights me.
posted on Jan 3, 2005 - 6 answers

What the hell was that *thing* Sting was playing at the Oscars? It had an almond-shaped body, but the two strings were spread wide, with what looked like a harmonica in between 'em, and almost no neck. Plus, he was turning a little hand-crank on it with his right hand. It had two small f-holes in it, too. I'm completely stumped.
posted on Feb 29, 2004 - 15 answers