Where can I find a good quality clarinet, used?

Question

I am a sophomore in high school and have been playing for 7 years, on the same clarinet that my mother used in high school. I plan to make music my career and need one of a better quality. I play on a Vito that is unfortunately way beyond it's expiration date.

Also looking for people with advice as to what clarinet would be best, on a tight budget.

Answer 1

Try checking a local music store or talking to graduating seniors who may want to sell their instruments.

Answer 2

look at craigslist

you can make the searches local

Answer 3

call HUTT music in california. they deal in refurbished instruments-everything from student to pro for very good deals.

714 854 0664

they even warranty their stuff

Answer 4

I would go for Buffet E11 or R13! Try music shops! Some specialise in 2nd hand instruments. Beware of ebay/ craigs list that kinda thing! There are some pretty bad brands out there that are made to look like a buffet or a Le blanc! Its hard to tell without actually playing it and with ebay/craiglist that can be hard to do so be careful! Your Clarinet teacher may know of some students who are selling their instruments or the best music shops in Town are so ask them! Alternativly you might need to get a part time job and save up!

Answer 5

Hi there.   Look for a Buffet R-13 clarinet... as if you plan to play in college,  the clarinet professor will insist that you have one... and if you can get it now... better in the long run.   Being on a tight budget...  every one is, I think...  but look around for a used one.  Check Craigslist.org in your city.  Watch eBay as I know you can find one there.     Look in the newspaper.. hardly no one thinks of that anymore.   Check with pawn shops too.  Just be optimistic...  and stay positive....   and you will find one.   Thanks for reading.  And Good Luck.

Answer 6

ahhH! you want mine? i want rid of it! its 7 yrs old. Im a senior and Im not doing band this year.

Answer 7

Be wary of Ebay and other auction sites unless the description is extremely detailed and says that it has been professionaly overhauled.

I suggest looking for a used Buffet R13 or a C12/conservitoire. Also look for Leblancs in the intermediate-pro. I'm part of the Buffet Mafia myself, but Leblanc makes some comparable instruments at good prices. If you find an R13 that seems to be priced very low (normal for new is about $2,700) check to see if it has been overhauled because chances are it needs at least some new pads and corks.

Also you can try on the Clarinet BBoard's Clasified section at:                                            http://test.woodwind.org/Classifieds/ind...

Those of us who use the BBoard and Clasifieds are respectable, honest players. All of the instruments you see there are reasonably priced and most should be in decent shape as most of those players are only selling to buy themselves another clarinet.

Most important...DO YOUR RESEARCH AND TRY AS MANY CLARINETS AS YOU CAN BEFORE BUYING.

Answer 8

The Buffet R13 is by far one of the best clarinets ever made... almost all professinal clarinet players use it, as it is known for excellent tone and quality craftmanship.  It is a consistant horn, in that you can play ANY R13 and it will have a great tone and the pitch tendancies from one to the next are all the same.  The price can be startling, though- about $4500.00.  If you look around online or in your local music store (and I love the newspaper idea mentioned above- who thinks about a newspaper anymore?! lol), you may be able to find a used one.  I paid $1250 for mine from wwbw.com, but you can find them on eBay, etc.  If you buy it used, know that you may have to have it recorked or repadded, but it will still be cheaper than buying it new.

Another great clarinet (that I actually prefer for soloing, jazz, and personal preference) is the Selmer Signature.  This is also a great clarinet, goes for about $4200.00, but is not as consistant as the R13... if you find one of these, make sure you buy it used... AND TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!  

Otherwise, if you can't afford one of these horns, look at the intermediate models... the Buffet E11 is great, the Selmer CL211 is also great.  They retail new for about $1000.00, and either one of these will give you an advantage over student models, in tone and playability, and it will be easier to transition if you upgrade to a pro model later.

If you plan on making performance your career, I would advise skipping the intermediate and just saving your money until you can buy a pro horn, though- the R13 and Signature cannot be beat.

If money is super tight, and you're looking to spend say $500 or less, you will most likely NOT be upgrading (unless you get SUPER lucky and someone doesn't really know what they have- cross your fingers!)... but if you end up buying another student model clarinet, please make sure it is a RECOGNIZED brand (Buffet, Selmer, LeBlanc, Yamaha)- because any of the other brands are going to give you just as much trouble as your current Vito, and most aren't worth the cost of materials.  

One more idea for you- if you are willing to wait a couple years, if you can get financial aid for college or are taking out a student loan, many times they will pay for a new clarinet as educational expenses- a brand new R13 clarinet... it doesn't help you on auditions INTO the college though!  

Also, if you do get a better clarinet, I suggest using the craptastic Vito for marching, and save your new one for concert season... wood doesn't like the elements, and is more expensive to replace if it cracks.

Sorry for the book, but hope I helped! Good Luck, and Happy Playing! :)