Which clarinet at G2 level?

[HarrysBook]

Ds is currently borrowing a very basic clarinet from school. He has started preparing for the grade 2 exam and with his birthday coming up he has asked for a clarinet that can take him through the next few years of school orchestras, grades and lessons. We can spend up to 500, which instrument would you recommend?

We bought a buffet b flat clarinet they are about £450. My DD played the Yamaha and the buffet and preferred the buffet.

Yamaha and Buffet tend to be the main student clarinets at the £500 mark. They vary Yamaha are very consistent whilst Buffet instruments can be more individual so its worth trying a few if you can as just because you don't like one Buffet doesn't mean you won't love another. It's worth asking the teacher if they have an advanced student about to upgrade as they may have one to sell. (usually an upgrade happens about G6/7 so you know the clarinet has got its previous owner that far). I have a lingering love for a good condition Boosey & Hawkes Regent if you can find one second hand (always get the teacher to check it over) as the bore is quite narrow so good for a younger player and they are good enough to Grade 7.

Thank you for your replies. We'll check the Yamaha and Buffet. Is there any clarinet in the south East / London you would recommend?

*Is there any clarinet store

I would try to get a second hand one as they will hopefully hold their value well. We bought an oboe and sold it three years later for the same price.
The only thing to check is, can you claim the vat back by buying through the school. New might be better in that case.

I'd go to Howarths they are the woodwind experts in London and may have a secondhand student instrument traded in for an upgrade.

Try clarinet and flute, and just flutes

Woodwind and Reed in Cambridge are excellent - have both new and second hand instruments available.

Fawkes in Maidenhead are excellent.

Dawkes not Fawkes damn spell check.

Thanks, is a normal student clarinet 'Bb' clarinet?

I would second Howarths.