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Original poster

Recommendations for where to buy a good quality secondhand clarinet?

10 replies

Grumpafrump · 28/02/2023 14:37

DD is on her 2nd year of clarinet lessons, and she loves it. She is currently playing an old one we already had lying around, and it has broken, so we need to buy a new one.

Her teacher has said we should consider getting her the Buffet Crampon E13, which is around £1800. It feels a bit expensive for a 9 year old who is just starting out! We’d be happy to get a good quality instrument for her to use over the next few years and would be willing to maybe stretch to 1k for something. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to get the E13 secondhand for around this price point? Where is a good place to shop for a secondhand clarinet? Or, alternatively, can anyone recommend a good wooden student clarinet that is closer to our ideal price bracket?

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 28/02/2023 22:46

I would go back to the teacher and say that is a bit out of your budget, but could they let you know if they hear of anything a little cheaper that someone is trying to sell.
In the same way that if I were trying to sell one, I'd let teachers know, as they obviously have contact with people looking to buy, at more of a beginner lesson.

bevelino · 28/02/2023 22:50

OP, have you tried Amazon or eBay as those sites sell second hand and new clarinets. I bought my dd a send hand clarinet from here. trevorjonesltd.co.uk/shop/product-category/instruments/woodwind-instruments/clarinets/second-hand-clarinets/?v=79cba1185463

ElvenDreamer · 28/02/2023 23:13

Lots of music shops carry second hand lists as well as their new instruments. I dont know where you are based but for example wood wind and reed (Cambridge) carry lists of their fully serviced secondhand instruments on their website.

Wetellyourstory · 01/03/2023 09:04

I second the recommendation for Wood Wind & Reed in Cambridge. They will offer excellent advice too. We aren’t local but travel down to use this music shop.

ilovesushi · 01/03/2023 10:06

I've only just upgraded my DD who is 12 and grade 5 level to a wooden Buffet. She started on my old Buffet B12 and was using it happily until recently. We only upgraded because the teacher thought it was time. The sound of the new one is really special but I wouldn't have paid that amount before now and TBH I would happily have held out longer on the old one!

Just a word of warning if you do go second hand you will most likely have to pay a big bill for repairs/ a service unless you are very lucky.

Original poster
Grumpafrump · 01/03/2023 11:42

ilovesushi · 01/03/2023 10:06

I've only just upgraded my DD who is 12 and grade 5 level to a wooden Buffet. She started on my old Buffet B12 and was using it happily until recently. We only upgraded because the teacher thought it was time. The sound of the new one is really special but I wouldn't have paid that amount before now and TBH I would happily have held out longer on the old one!

Just a word of warning if you do go second hand you will most likely have to pay a big bill for repairs/ a service unless you are very lucky.

This is interesting! Our local clarinet shop that the teacher recommended happens to have a Buffet E13 that has just been completely refurbished with all new parts, and they are selling that for 1200. Feels a lot still for a 9 year old, but maybe she will then
be able to keep it her whole life…?

We are also looking at a wooden intermediate Thomann one which gets great reviews. www.thomann.de/intl/thomann_cl_17bb_bb_clarinet_boehm.htm

OP posts:
Optionally · 08/03/2023 06:53

We ended up with a new Jupiter (£850) as we couldn’t find a secondhand one that was right. Dd and her teacher are both happy with it:
www.justflutes.com/shop/product/jupiter-jcl-750s-q-bb-clarinet

Sgtmajormummy · 08/03/2023 07:16

If you’re in or near Yorkshire you might want to visit this place as a fun day out for your DD.
They make their own models (top quality ££££) but refurbish second hand.
DD has one of theirs as a posthumous gift from her Yorkshire grandparents.

ChungusBoi · 08/03/2023 07:24

Good grief, there’s really no need to pay that much. I’m friends with a professional musician and asked them to help me. They reached out to their network and came up with a good sounding one second hand for £100 and I paid £30 to get it serviced. Can you put the word out on local forums or Facebook groups for musicians?

Original poster
Grumpafrump · 08/03/2023 09:36

Thanks for the suggestions. We went for the wooden Thomann one in the end and DD is very happy with it. It was 1/3 of the price of the Buffet so I’m pleased.

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