 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-04-24 16:31
Does there exist an affordable, half-way decent e-flat clarinet? -Chinese maybe. As I would only seldom use this instrument, there is no point in spending too much money on one. Thank you.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-04-24 18:37
Ridenour makes one: $2,395
https://www.rclarinetproducts.com/libertas-ebsoprano
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist Homage and MT36 mouthpieces
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 & #5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
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Author: lmliberson
Date: 2026-04-24 20:46
Well, Ruben, no matter how expensive or how inexpensive an E-flat clarinet may be, if the intonation is questionable the instrument is useless.
That really should be your primary criteria in seeking out an E-flat clarinet, aka "the weapon".
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Author: donald
Date: 2026-04-25 03:03
My old Leblanc LL (2nd hand from a retired pro) had very ergonomic keys and fine intonation. I switched to an R13 for better tone but always had little niggly problems here and there. A pro Symphony here in NZ owns a Noblet which I had to borrow for a gig once, and it was surprisingly good, I'd look for one of these if on a limited budget...
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-04-25 08:22
Older Leblancs are often relatively affordable and not bad.
I have an old Vito (I bought it new in 1990) and it's decent, but sharp with the stock barrel. You can open it a lot or get a different barrel. It's not the best, but it might be the lowest cost option that is half decent if you find one. A semi professional orchestra sometimes borrows it from me so it's good enough for that at least.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-04-25 09:42
Donald: Noblet is a good idea. Their C clarinet was very good. Noblet was a student-model Leblanc.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-04-25 13:43
m1964: This seems to only be a b flat clarinet.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-04-25 19:35
Micke: I think you've nailed it! The Thomann seems the best buy. The Selmer E-flat Muse costs ten times as much!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: m1964
Date: 2026-04-25 22:48
ruben wrote:
> Micke: I think you've nailed it! The Thomann seems the best
> buy. The Selmer E-flat Muse costs ten times as much!
The law of diminishing returns?
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Author: prigault
Date: 2026-04-26 04:18
I am quite happy with my Buffet E-11 that I have had for three years. More than decent clarinet for a more than decent price (I had it shipped from Thomann, here in Canada, clarinet prices are high in general, and Eb clarinets are just insane). I did want a decent instrument for my uses (clarinet quartet and concert band) before I knew if I would play a Eb enough (or be good enough at it) to go for Tosca/Muse prices.
The construction (much better than the E-11 Bb) and keywork are very decent. I like the little nylon screw under the left/right keys bridge, which allows the precise setting of the key height for the intonation of the upper chalumeau and throat notes.
At the time of the purchase, I only tried the Yamaha YCL-681 (three times the price) for comparison. I found the Yamaha sound quality a little more pleasing in the lower register (which does not see much uses in Eb scores), but liked it less ergonomically (I have large hands).
I also tried a bunch of aftermarket accessories on the E-11 (Backun barrels allow the use of Bb reeds, for example) and did not find they improved anything (certainly not the looks).
After three years, my view has not changed: I am not ashamed in any way to play with it, but don't use it enough to justify an instrument at several times the price, aware that the biggest upgrade to it still lies between the reed and the chair.
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