The problem with buying a used professional instrument is that most are 10+ years old. Although used Buffet R-13s are like 1,700$, I'd have to completely overhaul it most-likely and it still probably wouldn't be like a new clarinet. I still have quite the amount of time to think about buying, almost a year.

Another thing is that most people selling used won't let you compare them to other used instruments, but I could think of buying used. I can still buying a new A clarinet in a few years, I just need to keep saving.

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Oh and my mind isn't set on a Buffet. I've never even tried one, though I do know that they are quite good. My clarinet teacher wants me to try Yamahas, Selmers and LeBlancs too. Not all of those cost in the 3,000$ range, some are quite a bit lower.

I was thinking more of finding a music store who would have one in their used instrument department. Or else if you can find somebody who's selling one near to your place, ask him to come with you to the store and have it inspected by a technician and your teacher...

Sadly I don't think there are any music stores near me that have used instruments for sale along with new. Although I should do some research on that.

Where do you live?

Canada

I know, but where in canada? Its kind of big you know

Sorry, I prefer not to give out my location of where I live...

I do know all the local music stores here and theres none that I know of that have used instruments.

kk, I was just wondering which province, cause I'm in Canada too

Let's just say Canada for now =)

Yes it seems that some pages on the AK website pages are under reconstruction.

I live in Ireland and the clarinet scene here is pretty slim. So I bought mine when I was over in Manhattan at AK. But some of the players studying here get their instruments in EBay for a few hundred Euro and have them overhauled. One girl had a Buffet and another guy had a Boosey & Hawkes (who were the original makers of Buffet as far as I know!!) Another had a Selmer. And all were overhauled locally and all sounded great. And the total cost was still under 500 Euro. (Approx 750 USD) There is great choice on EBay if you're willing to take a little risk. You just have to make sure you have your own good mouthpiece to go with it. When I first played my used Noblet in Clarinet Choir they all commented on the beautiful tone. A well seasoned instrument it seems. I wouldn't swap it even for a new Buffet, no way!

I don't think you'd want to buy a clarinet without trying it.... Hahaha!

On EBay you have a 7 day send back if not happy. But if you buy any of the brand names you can't go very much wrong. Also later, if you go professional, you're gonna buy a real humdinger anyway. Lotza people are doing it.

Yeah, but you can't compare the clarinet to others. It's just a bad idea all round to me.

Personally, I don't care what other people are doing. Thanks, but not thanks. I'd rather try out a clarinet before buying it. By "a little risk" I'd say it's actually quite a big one. Price isn't really an issue, so I'd rather buy a quality new instrument then one off ebay.