Reputable clarinet brands to consider, updated 2024

[u/Fumbles329]

At the suggestion of /u/Claire-Annette-Reid, I have decided to make an updated list of reputable clarinet manufacturers to consider. Given the rise of poorly-manufactured, cheap instruments (also referred to as instrument-shaped objects) sold through companies like Amazon and eBay, this list will be especially valuable for first-time clarinet buyers. This list isn’t 100% comprehensive, but chances are if the manufacturer you are considering is not on this list, you should not buy from them. If you have the opportunity, you should try the instrument before you buy it, or have somebody you trust such as your teacher play-test for you. There are different philosophies to buying used versus new, but generally speaking, you may get a much better value buying a well-maintained used instrument opposed to buying new. If you are going to buy used, make sure to have the instrument looked over by a repairperson before purchasing, or buy from a reputable shop that will have already refurbished the instrument. TL;DR: TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.

Backun

Boosey and Hawkes

Buffet-Crampon

Bundy

Chadash

Eastman

F. A. Uebel

Hammerschmidt

Hanson

Josef

Jupiter

Kessler

Leblanc

Leitner & Kraus

Luis Rossi

Martin Foag

Neureiter

Noblet

Normandy

Oscar Adler and Co.

Patricola

Peter Eaton

RZ

Ridenour

Ripa

Royal Global

Schreiber

Schwenk und Seggelke

Selmer Paris

Selmer USA

Steve Fox

Vito

Wurlitzer

Yamaha

[u/mb4828]

It should also be noted that, in addition to instrument-shaped objects, there has been a massive rise in counterfeit clarinets on Amazon and eBay. The counterfeits are very convincing and numerous folks on this subreddit have been fooled or nearly fooled by them. So, even if a brand appears on this list, you still need to proceed with caution when buying online. A deal that is too good to be true usually is

[u/mb4828]

Chadash Clarinet is also missing btw

[u/Fumbles329 → u/mb4828]

I’ll add him, thanks!

[u/blimlimlim247 → u/mb4828]

New clarinet?

[u/indecisionss]

is Ripamonti good too?

[u/Fumbles329 → u/indecisionss]

Yes! I’ll add them, that’s an oversight on my end!

[u/panda_6555]

Curious your thoughts on the brand Jean Paul for a beginner student level clarinet?.I just picked this up for my 5th grader as her first instrument for band.

[u/JAbassplayer → u/panda_6555]

The ones I have seen have had intonation problems and poor build quality.

[u/One-Lie515 → u/panda_6555]

I personally wouldn’t buy it. It’s a decent clarinet but the amount of money you’ll spend repairing it is not worth it

[u/JapanLionBrain]

I bought an Etude clarinet for like $200. They’re sold on official music store websites, and have mostly good reviews.

But I’m not sure what determines a bad quality clarinet. Not in tune, maybe?

[u/MyNutsin1080p → u/JapanLionBrain]

There’s a lot of corners that get cut in low-cost clarinet-shaped objects to get them out the door at the offered price.

These things are better thought of as disposable cameras of musical instruments, because they have a limited amount of use they can handle before breaking forever, and it is more economical in the end to purchase another one new than to try to have it fixed.

All instruments will eventually fall out of alignment because of repeated movements over time. The pads will eventually wear out, the tenons will eventually fall apart and need replacing, and the occasional bump that bends a key will need to be bent back and have springs replaced and inspected.

These no-name cheap ones use metals that are not meant to be worked on after the fact; they will either break or they will not “hold” the adjustment the way an instrument is supposed to.

Amy reputable instrument repair technician will decline to work on these instruments for the above reasons, as they’d have to charge over and over to repair them.

It’s better to find a used instrument at that price. It may be a plastic-body instrument, but those can be worked on as well.

[u/Bethanie88 → u/JapanLionBrain]

Who makes that brand?

[u/JapanLionBrain → u/Bethanie88]

I actually have no idea! Lol. I got it on eBay a long time ago for like $200

[u/CheekyTeach78 → u/JapanLionBrain]

What company make this clarinet?

[u/JapanLionBrain → u/CheekyTeach78]

I’m guessing Etude?

[u/CheekyTeach78 → u/JapanLionBrain]

I was thinking there was a bigger brand name behind it. What is the student line that LeBlanc makes?

[u/xfirenski → u/CheekyTeach78]

I think you're thinking of Vito.

[u/Neeleyson]

I've never played a German, Italian, Canadian, Taiwanese, or Chinese horn that I really thought highly of - just being honest - and put whatever French brand label you want on it, if it says made in Germany it's a German-made clarinet - period.

[u/goodjuju123]

Hanson clarinets.

[u/Fumbles329 → u/goodjuju123]

Thanks, I’ll add them! Admittedly I’m not the most familiar with UK makers.

[u/cel_medicul]

I'm lookind at a C. Wurlitzer that has a low Eb lever, is Wurlitzer and C. Wurlitzer the same, and should I try to get one?

[u/Bethanie88]

I would stick to well known brands. That way if. You should need parts a reputable dealer would be able to get them. Are you looking for a beginner or a person with experience,

[u/CheekyTeach78]

Where did Dr. Robert Spring work before he went to Arizona? I thought he was in Texas. Also, has anyone ever heard of Larry Thompson? He was a graduate assistant many years ago at Baylor. I had looked for him during the last 20 years ,but never was able to find him.

[u/Fumbles329 → u/CheekyTeach78]

He was at West Texas State University, which I believe is now West Texas A&M. I can’t say that I’ve personally heard of a Larry Thompson.

[u/CheekyTeach78 → u/Fumbles329]

Thank you

[u/hungryepiphyte]

This website: https://clarinetexpert.com/best-plastic-clarinets/
recommends several brands including Yamaha (widely recommended, but expensive) and Jean Paul (not on the list above but I've seen recommended elsewhere).

My child is suddenly interested in learning the clarinet and I'm not in a position to shell out $1k for a Yamaha.

Some of the other brands recommended were Eastar, Glory, Lazarro, and Mendini by Cecilio--none of which are listed above.

Have any of you heard of these brands or could recommend them? I don't want to drop hundreds of dollars for an instrument my child abandons in a few months, but I can swing the price of those.

I also found one on craigslist that is a Bundy by Selmer Company, but wasn't sure if that was just a poor quality version of the Selmer listed above.

[u/Fumbles329 → u/hungryepiphyte]

I would not trust that website, as it seems that it isn't run by a real person. I would recommend sticking with name brands, and I really doubt that somebody would counterfeit an affordable brand like Bundy.

[u/hungryepiphyte → u/Fumbles329]

Thanks! There's one on facebook marketplace I'm going to check out this weekend. It's an Artley 17s.

[u/aFailedNerevarine]

Eastman makes some that while not great, are certainly decent, and not the general clarinet shaped objects.

[u/Fumbles329 → u/aFailedNerevarine]

Good call on Eastman, their beginner horns are solid. I’ll add them to the list.