Choosing, Buying and Caring for Clarinets: a general overview - don't forget to rate it! :)

I'm writing this guide for people who are not professional clarinetists and need help determining what instrument is best for student and intermediate use. I'm also keeping Ebay in mind since you're buying an instrument blind and there is no way to try it out first. A lot of potential buyers are uninformed about clarinets and there are many dealers who will try to take advantage of that. Please don't hesitate to post questions on my welcome page and I'll try to answer them as time allows. I'll also keep adding to this guide.

Notes on Ebay:
Over time, I've been having issues buying clarinets on Ebay.
The biggest problem is that most opinions on what an instrument sounds like are purely SUBJECTIVE. What one player may consider easy or good sounding can be just the opposite for another musician. This is because our perceptions of what is good sounding or what feels good are different. At this point there is no way to resolve this issue. One suggestion is to ask the seller about their experience as a musician. This may give you a frame of reference. (For a professional musician, many things can be EASIER to play, but they are more picky about sound). I also suggest that you pay close attention to the factual details. Is the instrument overhauled/repaired? Are the pads new? These things are factual and easily checked.

The most basic choice is between a wooden or plastic instrument.

Plastic instruments have only two minor advantages over wood ones. They don't crack and cost (generally) less, but I maintain that with some patience you can get a decent wood model for a fraction more if not the same cost. Also, plastic clarinets have so many issues that over time you may end up spending more on maintenance and eventually getting a wood clarinet anyway.

Here are some GENERAL caveats about plastic instruments. They are made cheaply and contrary to common logic that 'student' models should be easier to play, they are often a lot harder to control and many FEEL very difficult to play. Also:
- Plastic does not resonate as well as wood and you will never get as nice a sound on them.
- The keys are made of very soft metals and will bend very quickly making the instrument unplayable.
- The craftsmanship is often shoddy and the instrument may start falling apart right out of the box.
- They are made for student use, but do not stand up well to the kind of abuse kids can deal out due to inexperience and lack of concern for those very fragile instruments.

In the case of plastic clarinets, I recommend that you go with well known clarinet manufacturers because there is at least some quality control involved.... so Buffet, Selmer, Yamaha, Leblanc.. I found Buffet to produce the more consistently working plastic...Still, no matter how hard you try, they will give a stuffy "plastic" sound.


Wood Clarinets: General Overview:
Most clarinets are made from African grenadilla wood or 'mpingo wood. This is so because it's one of the most dense (strong) woods that can be found on our planet. It is very durable and can withstand a lot of abuse. It also holds up well over time if conditioned and cared for properly. The wood comes in different shades of black and sometimes has reddish or brownish tones mixed in (In Ebay pictures it will have a duller shine to it. Most plastic clarinets reflect a lot more flash!). Wood is an organic substance and has a lot more resonance than plastic. It vibrates very differently and usually has a clearer, richer and more rounded tone as opposed to a dull sound common to most plastic instruments.  Since most wood clarinets would be ranked intermediate to advanced, they are better crafted and have stronger keys and sound mechanics. More advanced models receive better wood, more hand finishing  as well as the strongest key work and custom things like different bore design, silver plating on the keys, undercut tone holes etc.. etc..

Wood Clarinet Issues:
The main issue with wood clarinets is that they MAY crack. Wood is more susceptible to weather changes (humidity and temperature), which causes cracking. However, cracking is not as common as it may seem and it can be prevented with proper care (read the last section). Cracking is caused by a combination of factors, mostly when the wood dries out and contracts because of changes in humidity and temperature. So, in extremely dry and cold environments the wood will contract and pull against itself causing cracks to appear in the most structurally unstable places. A combination of dry air and cold temperatures will cause cracks to appear more often. The same process causes pads to contract and deform, which in turn makes clarinets difficult or impossible to play properly (affects wood and plastic clarinets equally).

However, if clarinets do crack, they can be repaired fairly easily if you have access to a reputable technician. The cracks can be sealed and the instruments will respond just as well in most cases. To give an example, many professionals in some of the best orchestras in the world play on instruments that have cracked. This is because finding an excellent instrument is difficult and takes time, while cracks can be repaired easily and don't affect the sound as much as people seem to think.

There are many manufacturers and individual clarinet makers that make decent wood instruments. And most of them will be superior to plastic ones. There are many used wood instruments that with some work can play very well and will also be superior to plastic. However, it's difficult to make specific recommendations as to what brand to buy. Even a very popular  (reputable) Buffet with worn/broken pads may sound worse than a plastic instrument. On this, I will give general recommendations:

What to Look For:
- clarinets that have been played and tested
- overhauled instruments (I've had mine done for $300 with all pads, corks and mechanics fixed)
- instruments that have some history of care (individual owners)
- have new or well held up pads

Also:
- research brand names on the web (there is lots of info available)
- ask about usage. A newer horn that has been used a lot may be in worse shape than an older one with less use.
- take more risk only if you have access to a knowledgeable and honest repairman or a professional who can evaluate the instrument and repair work.

About Care:
Clarinets are greatly affected by the weather and things like variations in moisture and temperatures cause most problems. The condensation that forms inside the instrument during play wears out pads, weakens the wood and contributes to maintenance issues (commonly known as spit, but actually it's mostly water - you shouldn't put saliva inside your horn ;-). Following good care guidelines will prevent many problems, will make you sound and feel better, and save you A LOT of MONEY!!!

With these things in mind, you should:
1. Swab out the instrument after use. EVERY TIME!!!

2. Clean the inside and outside of the mouthpiece regularly.

3. Use cork grease OFTEN! It prevents the corks from wearing out and causing air to leak between the joints.

4. Keep the instrument in a well insulated case: most box type cases won't do! But, there are many newer foam type/well sealed cases that protect the instrument from impact and the outside environment much better. If you live in especially cold climates, please carry your clarinet case inside something else. (I wrap my single case in a wool scarf and cary it inside another bag. My double case is made by BAM and very well insulated).

5. Keep humidifiers inside the case!!! They will maintain the moisture level up and prevent cracking and pad deformation. There are several types on the market. Some violin ones are good because they will fit inside the bore of the clarinet.  Also, check out the small ones available at tobacco shops (usually used for cigars).

6. Go for a check up to your local repair technician at least once a year (especially with wood instruments). It will prevent issues from becoming problems and prolong the life of the horn.