 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clariset
Date: 2026-11-10 20:50
Hello I am a senior in high school and I have been looking to purchase my own clarinet for a while. A local music shop has a Selmer Signet that was once faulty (I'm not entirely sure what the problem was), he obtained it because we happen to be in Elkhart county. For the price of $389 is this a good deal? If this is not a good deal what clarinets should I look into?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-11-11 02:28
Think of how much it will cost to buy an equivalent clarinet brand new and base your judgement on that - the current equivalent clarinet being a Buffet E11 or Yamaha YCL-450.
I've fully overhauled a couple of Signet 100s as well as Buffet E11s, B&H Edgwares and similar entry level wooden clarinets for players who wanted that amount of work done, even though the cost of a full rebuild is over and above the cost of what you can buy them for used and then needing fully rebuilt.
Don't let the purchase price cloud how much you're prepared to spend on having any instrument serviced or overhauled - a used wooden clarinet is just as good (if not better) than a brand new one and a professional level overhaul will have them playing far better as well as being set up much better and using better quality materials than one that's factory finished where bench time is minimal.
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: m1964
Date: 2026-11-12 00:10
Clariset wrote:
"Hello I am a senior in high school and I have been looking to purchase my own clarinet for a while. A local music shop has a Selmer Signet...for $389..."
Signet is a very basic student level instrument, and thus after you bought it will have very little re-sale value.
If your funds allow, I would look at a used Selmer 10 or Selmer 9*, or Leblanc France LL or Classic.
These vintage Selmers and Leblancs are professional models, but cost much less than a comparable Buffet R13.
I would either find a used clarinet that I like and have it overhauled, or buy one that has already been overhauled.
Also, if you need to overhaul a clarinet, it is preferable to bring it to a woodwind/clarinet repair shop.
I've seen more than one clarinet that have been "overhauled" by a local music store - except they were not overhauled. They had a set of cheap pads and new tenon corks installed, nothing else was done.
Not to discount all music stores completely - I am sure there are stores with very good techs who are proud of their work.
Post Edited (2026-11-12 00:20)
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Author: donald
Date: 2026-11-12 01:58
I've got an old LL (barely played) for sale that has just been completely overhauled. A student of mine (who has a 1cyear old R13) just played it for his lesson last week, and sounded great. He sort of regretted jumping the gun and buying the R13 new rather than waiting..... don't discount the old Leblancs, they can play very very well, but you need to be patient to find the right one....
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