First Instrument Ever!

[cin]

Hello Everyone,

This is such a great site. I've spent hours going through all the posts - so much good information here .

I've recently decided to buy an erhu from Cadenza (lots of people here have written about their good experiences with them). It will be my first instrument ever, and I'm SO looking forward to it.

One odd thing (I think) occurred. I contacted Cadenza via email to inquire about shipping and someone there added me to MSN Messenger. And then I got an email asking if I had MSN.

Is this standard procedure? I've never ordered things from the internet, so I'm wondering if it's odd that I find this odd...

[calden]

Cin:

Welcome. Glad you like it here.

Cadenza is a good place, just a bit friendly sometime. I don't think you need to connect via MSN Messenger to do business with them. It's certainly not standard procedure. I'd just continue to use email.

Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Be sure and ask lots of questions. We like to talk.

Carlos

[jetz320]

You can also try contacting song here on the forum. He's from Eason. Another music store in Singapore and he has a wider variety of instruments.

[cin]

Aug 22, 2008 13:43:40 GMT calden said:

Cin:

Cadenza is a good place, just a bit friendly sometime. I don't think you need to connect via MSN Messenger to do business with them. It's certainly not standard procedure. I'd just continue to use email.

Carlos

Thanks Carlos! I figured it was something like that . I'm from Canada, so I'm used to the friendly. Just wanted to make sure. Still, I think I will stick to email, just to keep it simple. And I will be asking a lot of questions when my erhu comes. I'd like to take care of it best I can.

Speaking of which, I checked out Eason, as you suggested jetz320 (though I just went to their website). I have to say, they do have some beautiful beginner erhus in stock! I'm conflicted now (in a good way since it's a choice between two good models).

I'll give it some thought over the next day or two. Either way, I'm sure it'll turn out well.

Thanks again!!!

[calden]

cin:

Email me privately.

calden3"at"msn"dot"com

[jetz320]

are you located in toronto? because there is a chinese music shop there.

[cin]

Thanks again for the tips and pointers guys! I settled on a Starter Grade Shanghai Rosewood Erhu with Bronze Tuning Mechanism (thanks for your input on that, Carlos) from Eason. I figure since I'm a newbie, the turner is a good idea.

Aug 24, 2008 16:23:53 GMT jetz320 said:

are you located in toronto? because there is a chinese music shop there.

Yes, in fact, I am in Toronto. What's the name of the store? I'd love to check it out

[jetz320]

the store name is called harmony music. it's located in scarborough. on south shields and finch avenue. there is scotia bank and keep going down away from the residential side towards the business side. and the sign is purple i believe. i hope those are accurate directions haha. the people are nice, i stop by them every year i visit my family in toronto to buy some music supplies or dizis. good luck

[cin]

Aug 25, 2008 2:10:45 GMT jetz320 said:

the store name is called harmony music. it's located in scarborough

Cool beans!!! I'm actually located near the U of T, but I'm sure I can figure out how to get there. I'm going to check it out this weekend, I think. From their website, it looks like they have a little bit of everything.

I'm glad you told me about the store. I much prefer shopping in the flesh to ordering things online.

[cin]

Just to be clear:

I actually bought my erhu from Eason before deciding to check out Harmony because I really liked the erhu I saw online. What I meant by my last (vague-ish) post was that having Harmony in the city will be a good thing since I do love to fiddle around with things before I buy them. Still, the experience of online shopping has been very pleasant, and I think I will end up doing it again. The erhu I picked out looks and sounds beautiful.

I can't wait till my erhu arrives!!!