 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-09-08 19:10
Hypothetical scenario.
You just bought a used [insert pro level model] clarinet for a considerably low price - a mere fraction of the cost of the same model, or the current equivalent model if you were to buy one brand new.
What's it worth? Is it only worth the purchase price, or is it worth what it would cost to buy new?
And is it worth having fully restored? Should you base or limit your repair costs solely on a percentage of the purchase price, or pay the going rate for a full pro level restoration reflective of its value?
There are right and wrong answers.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-09-08 22:24
One scenario:
Buffet has conceded that in order to get the same quality wood of a Golden Era R13 that today you need to buy a Festival.
So here's a situation where an older R13 may, albeit requiring some renovation, be equipped with better stock wood than its new counterpart.
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Yet another scenario. You come across this used clarinet that is so remarkable responsive, so remarkably in tune (for you) but requires some work. It is worth something considerable *to you* because the things that need to be addressed are problems that there's no question are remediable, it's just a matter of time and cost, like springs and key tension, etc.
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Yet another scenario. A new Buffet clarinet, maybe others too, is by no means synonymous with one that is necessarily ready to play without modification.
Brannen Woodwinds carved themselves a niche addressing this market limitation.
This makes used instruments also requiring work less of a problem because "new" doesn't mean "lacking issues."
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So yes, there are right and wrong answers but no one right or wrong answer.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2025-09-09 00:40
It’s only worth what people are willing to pay for it.
James Garcia
Bass Clarinet/Clarinet III, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-09-09 01:28
JamesOrlandoGarcia wrote:
"It’s only worth what people are willing to pay for it.
Would it therefore be worth spending several hundred on in having it fully rebuilt, even if that's considerably more than what people were willing to pay for it?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2025-09-09 06:40
Chris P.
The repairer in our home town (a late friend of mine) used to become so frustrated with people stopping by and asking, "I just bought this wonderful saxophone for $700, what's it worth?"
He'd always look at me with a pained expression and say, "I'd tell them it's worth $700! What do they want me to say? The market just proved it was worth $700!"
That's not to say it wouldn't be worth more after he customized it or fixed it up otherwise, but the question did seem to get under his skin.
It made me smile to see you (as a repairer) digging at the same issue.
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: MikeSF
Date: 2025-09-09 07:05
With a few rare exceptions, if you're buying woodwinds for them to appreciate in value, you may be chasing the wrong dream.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2025-09-09 12:21
Back to the original question:
ANY clarinet that needs to be restored, has to have at least some minimal amount of work done, REGARDLESS of the purchase price.
Buffet B12, E11 or any equivalent need to at least seal well and have springs tension and keys opening regulated. In order to get a good seal, keys may need sweging, posts adjusted, etc.
The only part that could be omitted is cosmetics.
So, a Buffet E11 bought on eBay for $250-300, most likely will need at least $300-$400 invested in it.
A clarinet that seals well and is adjusted properly is a pleasure to play.
On the other hand, it's difficult to play on a clarinet that leaks, has stiff keys and wobbly joints.
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