 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chatz
Date: 2004-04-30 02:32
I was wondering if anyone could help me with what an approximate value would be for a used (5-10 years old) E11 Clarinet in A in fairly good condition? I have the opportunity to buy one from a friend and as only an occasional orchestral player this level of clarinet would suit me well.
She doesn't know how much to sell it for, however, since it belonged to a relative who passed away, and obviously I want to give her a fair price while not paying too much.....
Can anyone give me an idea?
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2004-04-30 02:48
A typical internet price is $959 (wwbw). Maybe 2/3 of that would be fair if it is in good condition? Remember to make sure it plays well and in tune for you. And remember that it would be easy to spent $100 or more on even a 'good condition' clarinet, if it needs pads or adjustament.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-30 12:45
An A E-11 doesn't make any sense to me. All (?) A clarinets are played by very advanced players and the E-11, although a good horn, isn't considered that level instrument. Am I out in left field on this?
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Author: FredR
Date: 2004-04-30 15:17
I saw a rathe old used on 44th st (NYC). It definitely needed an overhall and played flat for me.They quoted $900. If it had been in 5 to 6 hundred range I woud have considered it.
FredR
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2004-04-30 15:25
Bob D.
I have not played an E-11, but many of us are good (but not 'very advanced) enough to want to play in an orchestra, or to play around with the Mozart concerto. A student A makes sense. And also, the E-11 C and Eb clarinets sell pretty well; some people think they are great buys.
WT
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2004-04-30 15:41
Even if the assertion that only advanced players play A clarinets was largely true in the past, (and I'm not sure it was) I don't think it's generally true now. Apparently, Buffet and Leblanc don't either. I think that a lightly used E-11 A might be a good choice for an amateur in a community orchestra who only sees an A part occasionally, doesn't want to transpose and has no aspirations of a career with a professional orchestra.
I must admit, however, that a NEW E-11 doesn't make much sense to me, given the availability of very good quality used professional A clarinets selling for less than the cost of a new E11.
A patient buyer can find a good-condition older used professional Selmer, or fairly recent (and, therefore, my personal favorite in this price range) Yamaha for $600-$800. Leblancs tend to run a little lower. Given that many sellers are often selling the instrument because they haven't found much use for it, my experience is that used A's typically need (considerably) less fixup than Bb's of the same vintage. YMMV.
I can't remember many E11 A's on eBay over the last few years. I think, I may have seen one go for around $400 in good condition a couple of years ago. There is an old rule-of-thumb among professionals (at least where I am) that one should expect to pay about 50% of new street (mail order) price for a used instrument in excellent condition. (Buffets seem to command closer to 60%.) If it has any apparent problems or age on it, 25% is the rule-of-thumb price. Remember you are getting an instrument with no warranty whose history is largely unknown to you.
Based on your description of the instrument, I would guess that $400 - $500 would be a fair to generous offer. IMHO, $600 is too much. An option to test the market would be to list the clarinet on eBay with a fairly low opening bid (e.g., around $100) and a reserve price of $500 - $800. If it sells, your friend has made a great deal (and IMHO gotten more than you should pay for it). If it doesn't sell, the high bid will give some indication of market value.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-30 17:54
Rather than state subjective value, let's look at the reality of finding a semi-pro (which the Buffet E-11A would be if tweaked a bit or was a superior factory build-out) or pro clarinet in play condition for under $500.
I am talking about a Clarinet w/no defects & with a case that plays reasonably in tune. Play condition would mean no leaks, corks that don't wobble, keys that don't click. Reasonably in tune means what it says.
If it's made by one of the Big 4, you probably won't find one. [translated: you'll wait a long time or someone has to die & heirs have no preconceived notions of value, which they always do  ]
BTW: My son plays (school instrument that he leaves there) a Buffet E-11 which has been tweaked to the 9's. Superior pad installation [corks on upper joint, custom greenbacks on lower], custom barrel that was tweaked @ Interlochen years ago - intonation is dead-on. I'd put it up against any pro instrument for intonation, projection & a lovely, centered sound. Of course, the improvements 10 years ago cost $400.
Post Edited (2004-05-01 13:46)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-30 18:54
I have owned 3 and still own 2 Bb E-11 clarinets and think they are great instruments in their price range.....period. I doubt that there are many advanced players who would prefer an E-11 over an R-13, however. A good used E-11 in a Bb will go for about $375 and there is much demand for them which I suspect will continue. If I wanted an A clarinet I wouldn't even consider an E-11 as I doubt there is much demand for them. The horn under consideration might bring $400 on eBay.....buy,hey, these are just my opinions based on my experience. I think Kissinger's suggestion has much merit.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-30 21:37
An E-11 A Clarinet in play condition will bring more than $600 on eBay. There are few E-11's made in keys other than Bb, notably keys of A & C - (few produced) that's why they cost more. I haven't seen an E-11 A Clarinet SELL for less than $600 on eBay. Of course, we haven't looked at this instrument & we have no ideas of it's attributes. If it's beat up & has 7 cracks, it may not get $100.
"I doubt that there are many advanced players who would prefer an E-11 over an R-13, however ..."
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If that's referring to my comment above, I certainly didn't say anything that stands for that premise.
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