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Original poster

Any clarinet experts around?

36 replies

DustyTulips · 20/06/2022 12:42

Dd has been learning clarinet for a couple of years and is now working on G5. Her teacher thinks she’s ready to upgrade from a beginner’s clarinet to a wooden one, but doesn’t have much idea of the current options as its years since she bought a clarinet.

What sort of price range should I be looking at, and is there anywhere reputable that I can buy one second-hand? I suspect if I just go to Howarth’s and ask them I’ll get something that’s right but rather expensive for what it is, so I thought I’d ask the MN collective first to get an idea of what I should be looking for.

Dd is about to go to secondary school, which has lots of musical opportunities, so I want her to have something that won’t hold her back from taking part in them.

OP posts:
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makeitsonumber1 · 07/09/2022 19:26

Thank you @anonamouse1234 and @Wetellyourstory. Her teacher has said not to worry about changing the mouthpiece until Grade 5 level but it seems odd to me as it is ‘relatively’ inexpensive compared to the cost of the clarinet itself? We have an appointment on Saturday to try out the E13 and some mouthpieces. We did consider an R13/ RC but the instruments are kept in school on lesson day in a storage room and there definitely have been instances of things being thrown around, so I am reluctant to spend too much until she moves to senior school (even if it is in a hard case).

Wetellyourstory · 02/09/2022 23:48

Yes, we changed the mouthpiece based on recommendation from the teacher. I think a Selmer one was the preferred choice. A different ligature was chosen too, a BG one.

The R13 is a better clarinet but is a bit of a price jump to pay until you know that it’s what your DC wants to pursue (saw you posted on the other thread). We didn’t need to buy at that level until DC was at conservatoire, the E13 was used up to Grade 8/Diploma and is a very good instrument.

anonamouse1234 · 02/09/2022 21:08

makeitsonumber1 · 02/09/2022 18:13

For those of you that went for the E13, did you change the mouthpiece? I know nothing about clarinets so grateful for any advice!

Change the mouthpiece. The ones that come with the clarinet are not great. Go to a shop and try lots out. I like the JD Hite (Hyte? Sp?). I got these for all my clarinets, but it's a personal thing - you need to try them.

But - I would suggest the R13. It's worth the extra.

makeitsonumber1 · 02/09/2022 18:13

For those of you that went for the E13, did you change the mouthpiece? I know nothing about clarinets so grateful for any advice!

Original poster
DustyTulips · 25/06/2022 11:45

Thanks, all! I have booked in a chance to try out some clarinets for the summer holidays. I will see what suits - but will bear in mind re-sale value, especially if (as I hope) we buy secondhand. That’s what I did with bikes, and it worked well!

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WonderWine · 22/06/2022 13:24

This is making me feel old and nostalgic! I still have my old B&H 'Emperor' clarinet somewhere which took me through all the grades!

WonderWine · 22/06/2022 13:23

Another vote for JustFlutes - let us spend ages with our son in a practice room trying lots of different models - really helpful!

CloudPop · 22/06/2022 13:17

Very timely and useful thread. Thanks for all of the recommendations as also in the market for a new clarinet.

Bramshott · 22/06/2022 13:05

Instruments hold their value pretty well, so you're not losing much if you get the right instrument "for now" and then sell it and upgrade later.

se22mother · 22/06/2022 07:28

anonamouse1234 · 21/06/2022 19:15

If he will use it for the long term go for the R13 and not have to change even if a pro. However, I suggest you dump the mouthpiece that comes with it and go and try more. The difference a better mouthpiece can make it unbelievable and a fraction of a cost of a new clarinet.

This is very true.

Original poster
DustyTulips · 21/06/2022 20:48

@anonamouse1234 That’s the tricky bit - I don’t know if dd will use it for the long term. She doesn’t have a main instrument, is about the same level on all three, so I’m reluctant to make a huge investment. But if a different mouthpiece can make a lot of difference, then I’ll book in to a couple of the more local shops and she can try out different clarinets and mouthpieces, within budget, and we’ll see what works for her.

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anonamouse1234 · 21/06/2022 19:31

Xiaoxiong · 21/06/2022 15:43

If you're willing to go to Maidenhead, DH just spent a few hours at Dawkes music choosing a new clarinet mouthpiece and said they were fantastic, had a range of prices and options and were super helpful.

Exactly... do this!

anonamouse1234 · 21/06/2022 19:15

If he will use it for the long term go for the R13 and not have to change even if a pro. However, I suggest you dump the mouthpiece that comes with it and go and try more. The difference a better mouthpiece can make it unbelievable and a fraction of a cost of a new clarinet.

Original poster
DustyTulips · 21/06/2022 19:06

Ooh, Borough is easy for us - I will have a look now. Thanks @se22mother !

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Original poster
DustyTulips · 21/06/2022 19:05

Madcats · 21/06/2022 18:52

Flute mum here and in the wrong bit of the country - SW - but were allowed to try out a ton of secondhand and new flutes and took our "favourite 3" back to school for a week. The company organised a courier to pick them up for us (we might have had to pay if we hadn't bought one).

Do you have a local firm who services woodwind? That's where we bought our "school won't hire any more" instrument.

It's probably too early to ask/consider how she plans to play it/how she wants it to sound.

My “local” (an hour away) option is Howarths, as my other DC hired an instrument from them, so I know them. They’re always lovely, but I’m not sure how far dd will take clarinet - she has another instrument plus voice, and which will come out as favourite is not yet clear. Plus starting secondary is a time of big changes - she may get super in to music, or decide she’s all about the sport…

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se22mother · 21/06/2022 19:00

Depending on where you are in South London Clarinet and Flute in Borough could be worth a visit.

Madcats · 21/06/2022 18:52

Flute mum here and in the wrong bit of the country - SW - but were allowed to try out a ton of secondhand and new flutes and took our "favourite 3" back to school for a week. The company organised a courier to pick them up for us (we might have had to pay if we hadn't bought one).

Do you have a local firm who services woodwind? That's where we bought our "school won't hire any more" instrument.

It's probably too early to ask/consider how she plans to play it/how she wants it to sound.

Wetellyourstory · 21/06/2022 18:29

Some schools may be unaware of the scheme, ours knew nothing about it until we asked them to do it and talked them through the process. The retailers though are very clued up on it.
It’s not linked to rental, the school purchase the instrument and you then buy it from them, less the VAT. Music tuition doesn’t need to be through the school. As long as she participates in music at a state school, through an orchestra, you qualify.

www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/vat-government-and-public-bodies/vatgpb7825

Original poster
DustyTulips · 21/06/2022 16:23

Maidenhead and Croydon are both doable, thanks! Just Flutes has a handy secondhand clarinet alert, too, so I’ve signed up to that.

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Greatauntdymphna · 21/06/2022 16:03

We found Howarths really really approachable and understanding. We ended up going for a very expensive model (to us anyway) at grade 3 level but it has taken DC all the way past grade 8 and diploma and it's still going strong. They have always been happy to help if there's been a problem. The clarinet has also hugely appreciated in value (for reference we bought it when DC was about 8 for £700. Now 11 years old it's more than doubled in value. Though I'm sure a new one might be even more nowadays). We bought an A clarinet recently (also from Howarths despite looking around) and bought a remodelled version instead of new. And again they were really helpful.
I've no links to them 🙂 but would recommend them.

Swimmum1206 · 21/06/2022 16:00

onemouseplace · 21/06/2022 15:56

Oh, it was John Myatt and it shut about 3 years ago - that's really sad as it was a great shop!

John Myatt's were great. I got my first clarinet from there and they also did all the maintenance. I happen to know that the guy who did all the instrument repairs/maintenance now works from Prozone and also has a workshop in his garden, where he carries out repairs if you contact him!

sausagesforteatonight · 21/06/2022 15:58

PS all done remotely

sausagesforteatonight · 21/06/2022 15:57

www.uksaxhire.com/clarinets-to-hire.php

We used this company - they were great! You can hire first and then buy (the hire money comes off the total price if you want to buy it). Our clarinet was around £400

onemouseplace · 21/06/2022 15:56

Oh, it was John Myatt and it shut about 3 years ago - that's really sad as it was a great shop!

onemouseplace · 21/06/2022 15:55

There used to be a fantastic woodwind and brass shop in Hitchin - that's where I got mine from when I was a similar level. This was about 30 years ago (and said clarinet has been gathering dust for around the last 25 years,).