 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JonTheReeds
Date: 2016-12-15 18:56
I am looking at buying a clarinet from the internet and have been thinking about the questions I need to ask. If you have bought from the internet which questions did you ask (and which did you wish you had asked!)
I've come up with
1. Clarinet and condition: make and model, playable, chips or cracks to tenons or body, last service, any repairs
2. Photos: pads, tenon corks, keywork, serial numbers, logos/lettering
3. Seller: why are they selling it, if they are just passing it on who was the last owner, do they play clarinet themselves, sales rating, have they sold clarinets before
4. Confirm cost of packing and posting
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The older I get, the better I was
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-12-15 19:11
When was it last played?
I buy a lot of clarinets via EBay and so far the experience has been fairly positive. You have to know something about what you're buying and also expect to find that the item has been over promoted. sometimes it isn't what you hoped. In perhaps 150 instruments I've only had 2 0r 3 that didn't work out. Expect to have to do some work on your purchase.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-12-15 19:30
I've bought most of my clarinets off eBay with the expectation of having to completely overhaul them as I know they're not going to be up to scratch considering their age, even though the seller may have listed them as having been 'recently overhauled' or 'recently serviced' - I take that with a huge pinch of salt as it can mean anything or nothing.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2016-12-15 19:57
Unless already stated in the posting, be sure to ask if they accept returns if you're not happy with the purchase.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2016-12-15 21:34
If you're buying from out of the country, such as with Clarinets Direct out of England, you need to ask how much the import tax will be that Uncle Sam expects you to pay. I was surprised by a $65 bill from US Customs that arrived several months after my clarinet arrived from Clarinets Direct. Not a good surprise!
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Author: Wes
Date: 2016-12-16 04:47
Well, I bought a Bb clarinet, a bass clarinet, and a piccolo from European dealers but was never taxed for them a few years ago.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2016-12-16 19:45
'When was it last played' is a great question.
Many auction site sellers are pawn shops - they have no clue as to condition or the history of the instrument. Some sellers are folks who scour flea markets, garage sales, etc. and also have no clue. So it can be hit or miss. I've had some great buys on the auction site, and a few real lemons.
Even sellers who play the instrument, or are parents of a former student in many cases have no clue about the condition of pads, corks, etc.
Be careful, and plan on and budget for, a full repad after arrival. I do my own repairs, so I'm not afraid to buy one sight unseen, but plan on it needing maintenance, even if it is advertised as having been worked on prior to sale.
Good luck.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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