I am looking to buy a used wooden clarinet? Totally clueless.?

Question

Hello :) I am a 16 year old clarinetist. I have a student model clarinet and I'm not going to lie, I hate it. I have been playing for about 6 years and I am very serious about playing-- I dedicate a lot of my life to clarinet-related stuff.

I am looking to upgrade to a nicer clarinet, preferably a wooden one, but I don't think I could afford a new one. I am looking for recommendations from someone who is knowledgeable in this area. I have already upgraded my mouthpiece to a M15 Vandoren, but I still am not satisfied with the playing experience that I get from my plastic piece-o-junk. I play with a wooden one often at my private lessons because my teacher has three or four with him at a time and likes me to sound my best...and as soon as I switch back to my own clarinet I'm very upset with the way it sounds.

I REALLY enjoy playing Buffet clarinets but I'm uneducated about the different models, etc.

I am not looking to spend more than $3000 (remember, USED!) :)

I don't know if this matters, but I use a 3.5 to 3.5+ Traditional Vandoren Reed

Thank you!

Answer 1

I was going to suggest a Buffet because they are the top of the line. I haven't played mine really since I got my music degree so I've forgotten the name. I'll look for it and update this. I would also suggest going to your local music store. My parents and I were blessed when I was in college we had a music store in town that was going out of business. So we paid about $2500 for an almost $5000 horn. Renting isn't a bad idea either. If you're going the music major route by the time college rolls it just might be paid for. And if you decide not to play after high school you won't be stuck with the clarinet.

Answer 2

eBay, eBay Classifieds and other such websites are always a risk but, it would not hurt to look. However, I would not buy from anyone without a high feedback score and high number of transactions and the photographs should be in focus and show the item clearly.



I would check music stores near you. Many of them sell used instruments. You should call and ask first to make sure they have what you want. I cannot recommend a brand name. I would ask the music store owner and ask comparison questions, which is better and why and what are the differences among the top brand names. You could also do your own research on the various brands out there, narrow your choice down to two or three, then compare those and ask a music store owner. I did my own research on a flute. Yes, brand new top quality musical instruments are very pricey. When you go into a music store, do not talk to the clerk or first person who offers to help. Ask for the owner. Make sure you are talking to someone knowledgeable, not just some guy they hired at minimum wage to mind the store, who knows little or nothing about musical instruments but can only point out where to find what.

Answer 3

check ebay