By Hillary Back
Reviewed by Peggy BennettHow to Finance a Musical Instrument
By Hillary BackReviewed by Peggy Bennett
Quick Answer
- If you can’t pay cash for a musical instrument, a 0% intro APR credit card could give you time to pay it off without interest.
- Keep your eye out for discounts, buy used or even consider renting before committing to a purchase.
Buying a musical instrument can be pricey whether it's your first one, another one for your collection or one your child will use to explore their talent for music. Several hundreds or even thousands of dollars may stand between you and the instrument of your choosing. Luckily, you can finance an instrument with a personal loan or intro 0% APR credit card—all without breaking the bank.
How Much Do Musical Instruments Cost?
The price of an instrument varies widely based on type, brand and quality. A beginner-friendly guitar or keyboard can run a few hundred dollars, but a decent violin or piano can easily cost $1,000 to $5,000—or even more for higher-quality equipment.
Depending on your instrument of choice, you may need to expand your budget to protect yourself from buying something that's hardly playable. You'll also want to consider the additional costs of musicianship, such as instrument setup, music lessons for a budding bass guitar player, an amplifier for your electric guitar or regular upkeep and replacement parts for a woodwind instrument. And, if you have an aspiring drummer in the house, you'll have to factor in the added cost to your peace and quiet.
How to Finance Your Musical Instrument
When you start a new musical endeavor, consider all your best cost-cutting options before you purchase:
- Buy strategically. You may be able to combine discounts and promotions to whittle down the overall cost. For example, you can keep your eye out for clearance items, discounts during annual sales or reduced prices on items that have been returned or slightly damaged.
- Buy a used instrument. Pawn shops, antique stores and music retailers can be great places to find a deal on a used instrument. If you have a Guitar Center close by, you can browse used instruments in person; for online shopping, Reverb and Sweetwater are good options.
- Consider renting. Practice is essential when learning music, so check rental terms carefully if you go this route. Music & Arts is one retailer that rents out instruments, and it allows you to apply your monthly rental charges to the overall cost of the instrument if you decide to purchase it later.
Paying for your instrument with savings you already have set aside is ideal, but you may instead choose to pay over time. To keep interest costs down, a credit card with a 0% intro annual percentage rate (APR) offer or a low-interest personal loan could be options. Check which 0% intro APR cards may be right for you on Experian's card comparison platform. Retailers may also offer financing options.
Best 0% intro APR cards of 2026
Compare cards from our partners with 0% intro APR offers on balance transfers, purchases or both.
Offers from our partners
Citi Double Cash® Card
Intro APR:0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 3% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Intro APR:0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases
Ongoing APR:16.49% - 27.24% (Variable)
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Intro bonus:$200
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:2% (Cash Rewards)
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 6% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Intro APR:0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Citi Simplicity® Card
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:$200
Intro APR:0% Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 6% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:25,000 Points
Intro APR:0% Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:1.5x - 3x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
BankAmericard® credit card
Intro APR:0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 billing cycles
Ongoing APR:14.99% - 25.99% Variable
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:$250
Intro APR:0% Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:1.5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
See all our best 0% intro credit cards for 2026.
How Not to Buy a Musical Instrument
Now that you know more about starting your instrumental journey, let's take a look at what not to do:
- Don't buy (too) cheap. Yes, that ukulele in the store is pricey, but opting for the dirt-cheap option might cause more trouble than it's worth. Instead, look for instruments that have been checked out and approved for sound quality and playability by the music pros. Try to find the balance between quality and affordability to get the most satisfaction out of your purchase.
- Don't rely solely on reviews. Rave reviews alone shouldn't convince you to purchase a potentially inferior product. If possible, try the instrument for yourself and compare it with others within (or above) your price bracket. Even if you don't know how to play, you can still get a feel for the quality of the instrument in your hands.
- Don't pay interest, if possible. Don't pay more for your musical instrument just because you swiped a credit card at the register. Making payments over time can be beneficial, but try not to add to your bill by using a high-APR card.
The Bottom Line
Sure, you could snag the first, cheapest option a search engine spits out, but you risk not getting much bang for your buck. Buying a low-quality instrument to save money might end up turning you off your musical pursuits entirely. Musical instrument purchases warrant extra attention for the time and money they require, so ask the experts at the music store and do your own research to secure quality products.
With a little planning and the financial intelligence you gained just by reading this article, you can get a quality musical instrument—without making your first composition a ballad mourning the price.
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About the author
Hillary Back
Hillary writes to analyze policy and culture in the digital age. With a unique background in film, entertainment, and both creative and journalistic writing, she thrives on creating digestible and essential content.
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