How do you tell what model a clarinet is?

Question

It is a Yamaha clarinet but I do not know how to tell what model it is.

About how much is one worth that is in mint condition?

Answer 1

look on the bell or barrel for a number..if not go to a specialty music store. yamahas are oneofthe best clarinet makers.. mint for student models can be as low as 500 and professional clarinets can be upwards of 3000

Answer 2

First off, Yamaha is NOT one of the great reputed clarinet makers... they make LOTS of clarinets, but traditionally, not GOOD ones for anything other than the student model line.  Also, I don't know of ANY clarinet aside from the Buffet R13 Prestige that could be valued at $8000, and that's even pushing it!

As far as the model number goes: do NOT look on the barrel or the bell... these pieces are easily replaced and switched out, and many times, clarinet players replace these pieces ON PURPOSE to get a different tone.  You can find the serial number on the back of the lower and upper joints, near the bottom cork of each piece... they should match.

Lastly, SOME models of Yamaha actually DON'T have serial numbers on the top joint... if they do not match, then the number on the top joint may be your model number.  Yamaha is really a pain when it comes to models... they are very generic.

I'm going to put a link to the Clarinet BBoard here for you regarding EXACTLY your question:

http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard...

There are a couple phone numbers in it for you, and a few other refrences for you to maybe determine what you have!

Good luck on your search! :)

Answer 3

You look at it and tell is it is wide enough to put a steak into, if it can fit a steak it was made before 1980 and is worth around $8000 in mint condition.