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:18.24% - 28.49% (Variable)
Rewards:
2% (cash back)
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:
As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 3% (cash back)
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
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
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)
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services. Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:
$200
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 6% (cash back)
Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:
25,000 Points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:
1.5x - 3x (Points per dollar)
3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel and 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases
Annual Fee:$0
BankAmericard® credit card
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:14.99% - 25.99% Variable
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:
$250
Limited Time Offer! $250 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:
1.5% (cash back)
1.5% cash back on all purchases
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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