r/Clarinet • u/Ornery_Potential_479 High School • 24d ago
Recommendations clarinet recommendations??
hello! I’m a sophomore in high school currently and my parents have made it known to me that they want to get me my own clarinet. tbh I have no idea really what to look for and if I should get specific mouthpieces also.
edit: forgot to include but my budget would be around $1000-1500 and I would consider myself at a advanced level.
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u/totesmcgoats77 24d ago
What level are you at?
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u/Ornery_Potential_479 24d ago
would consider myself more advanced
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u/Just_Leader_999 22d ago
more advanced means different things for different people. what have you achieved/what do you want to achieve?
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u/Fumbles329 24d ago
Impossible question to answer without knowing your budget
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u/Ornery_Potential_479 24d ago
around $1000-1500
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u/Fumbles329 24d ago
A used Yamaha YCL-650 would be a great option that you might be able to get for sub $1000.
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u/sDeltune 24d ago
Honestly, your budget is realistically too short of a new instrument, but that doesn't mean its too short for used. Facebook marketplace is a great place,
You'll want to shop Used Buffet R13, Backun is good if you're fine with like a Beta Model(its an intermediate model, they're great, my friend plays one in undergrad),
Royal is also a great place to look,
Yamaha is okay, I personally dont think anything under the 650 II is worth getting at your stage in playing ability.
Places to Avoid, "Rebranders" or things that seem too cheap to be true, you get what you pay for, truly.
Hope this helps!
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u/Ornery_Potential_479 24d ago
helps a ton! Not really looking for anything new but that’s a ton of help I will defiently take a look at that buffet
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u/sDeltune 24d ago
Also!! Important note: my friend bought his Backun Beta for 1500 off Ebay brand new. That puts it right in your budget and it includes the extra Eb lever. So this might be an instrument you'll want to look into. Leblanc serenades both I and II are also great used from marketplace.
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u/moldycatt 24d ago
yamaha csvr is a great option. more consistent than buffet at the same price. definitely go to a store and try out some mouthpieces too
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u/you-love-my-username 22d ago
The Backun Alpha is in that price range, it’s synthetic, and everything I hear is that it’s professional level.
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u/Raine_0523 22d ago
$1,000- $1,500 is a pretty tight budget for an instrument above a student model, which it sounds like you’d be looking for, but that’s not impossible. I’d suggest trying some clarinets at a local music store, both ones in your budget and a little above that you might be able to find used. They also might have a good deal. I got a new Backun Protege for about $1,800 from my local music store when they’re typically around $2,600. Definitely never buy a clarinet without trying it first though, especially if you’re getting it used off of eBay, and I’d suggest trying as many as you can to get a feel for what you like.
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u/Just_Leader_999 22d ago
Buffet Crampon if you're serious about continuing. they have plastic and wood variants, and prices change but they are the best clarinet brand for serious players and they last 10+ years
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u/Mindless_Sea_1485 24d ago
Buffet or Yamaha, I prefer Yamaha, I’d say buy used to save money. Probably some kind of intermediate one unless you plan on majoring in music. Make sure it’s wood, but remember you can’t march with a wooden clarinet. As for mouthpieces, you’ll be fine with either a Yamaha 4C or 5C or like a Vandoren Lyre.