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What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: ruben
Date: 2026-08-16 23:16

I think the title of my subject says it all. But, I do mean Chonese brands and not European or American brands that are mase in China.

rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com

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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-08-16 23:34

Probably Royal Global.

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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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: ruben
Date: 2026-08-17 09:02

Thanks Chris. Would you recommend it to a serious student that can't afford the usual Selmer, Buffet, Yamaha? How would it compare to a mid-price Selmer?

rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com

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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-08-17 13:38

I'd recommend they buy a used and fully refurbished older pro model.

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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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: m1964
Date: 2026-08-17 19:36

The re-sale value of a Royal Global clarinet probably would be lower than that of a comparable Buffet or Selmer.
Which could make Royal Global attractive if buying used.

For a student, I also recommend older LeBlanc instruments. A used LL that's been overhauled is about half the price of a used overhauled R13. They play/respond very well, tuning is good and sound/tone is better than from any student level Buffet or Selmer . The keywork is silver-plated on LL and feels comfortable.

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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: ruben
Date: 2026-08-17 20:16

I played on an LL when I was a teenager. It was given to me by Jimmy Hamilton of the Duke Ellington orchestra when he switched to a Semer series 9. It was a fine clarinet, but my Classical clarinet teachers didn't approve of it.

rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com

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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: m1964
Date: 2026-08-17 21:47

ruben wrote:

" I played on an LL when I was a teenager...
It was a fine clarinet, but my Classical clarinet teachers didn't approve of it."

Were those teachers Buffet mafia members?

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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-08-17 22:40

I'd have gone with Leblanc LL clarinets had I not acquired a set of '50s Selmers (BT Bb and CT A). My teacher (a Buffet RC player) wasn't too chuffed with that, but he soon changed his mind when he tried them.

One of the local teachers was a Leblanc player, so all his pupils tended to get either Noblets or Leblancs after their plastic beginner models. He's since changed to a set of brand new RCs, but still regrets part exchanging his Dynamic-H set for Concertos when they were first launched in the '90s.

Leblanc LL keywork is like nothing else on the planet and they have some surprising tonehole diameters you won't see on other soprano clarinets - mainly the throat A tonehole which is massive by soprano clarinet standards, even large bore clarinets are envious (and I'm going to stop typing right now).

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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Re: What Chinese clarinet is the closest to a professional model instrument?

Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-08-18 00:47

Since you specifically said not brands that happen to have manufacturing in China, but specifically Chinese brands... I'd be curious about Sunwin's offerings. I had no idea who that was until Lowenstern did his "Faux" bass clarinet video. Fabian does seem to have an instrument for each need.

I have no idea of pricing or tariffs, etc., but you're not getting an AliExpress 'Buffet' wannabe.

https://www.sunwinmusic.com/clarinet/

Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel

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