definitely do NOT get a Buffet E-11! i have one. Sure, it sounds good, but i have had soooo many problems w/ the corks falling out all the time. but do get a buffet they are much better and have a greater sound quality. make sure it`s wooden, too, because wooden vs. plastic -huge difference in sound. wood sounds way better. I think it`s just mine though because my friend has one and she`s had hers for like 7 years and doesn`t have the same problems. so, iono.

I have been out of school for five years now. I used to play the clarinet - it was old when I got it - it is made out of wood and is a Noblet (made in france) and the case is made by Leblanc its brown and looks like alligator skin. Can anyone tell me how old it might be and if its worth anything?

This question is gonna make me sound SOOOO stupid but here goes...
How do you say `Buffet`? Is it Buffay or how it is spelt. I thought it was buffay but yesterday I heard someone say it how it is spelt. Was it just them being dumb or are they right?
Cheers, Amy

i and everyone i know pronounces it Buffet like you would pronounce it in the restaurant name Hometown Buffet. so yah, it`s Buffay

Can anyone help me figure out the value of a wooden clarinet? There is a number on it, 107713, and the bell says, Pan-American Div. C.G. Conn Ltd.
any input or suggestions where I can look to figure out what , if anything, it is worth?

I was wondering how to go about finding out the approximate age and worth of my wooden clarinet. My older brothers and I played it it high school. Then it was handed down to my neice. Now my daughter is in high school and still playing it. My family origionally bought it used. It has been in my family now for aabout 36 yrs. It is made by Boosey & Hawkes. I think it was made in London, England. I think there might be some serial numbers on it also. Any help on this matter would be very much appreciated. Contact me at: conleydiana@hotmail.com,or dc5279@yahoo.com, or luvzherlabs@netscape.net. Thanks So Much, Diana

I just got a Buffet wooden clarinet and it is soooooooo much better then my plastic Yamaha. I still keep my plastic one though for marching band because you would ruin a very expensive wooden clarinet by playing it in the rain!

hey i have a whitehall and was wondering the value and quality of them

How has this turned into "check the value of my wooden clarinet?" People- please check eBay for similar clarinets to yours to find out. Noblets and Boosey and Hawkes are both decent to good clarinets. Pan Americans are not so great, well most of them. Anyway, since I know nothing about any of your clarinets really, I mean I`d have to know the model of the Boosey and Hawkes and it`s features. I`d have to know what shape logo the Noblet has. I`d have to know all the conditions that these clarinets are in. So just check eBay- it`s the best way.

And like I`ve said before- there are many great brands for particular people. Lauren might love her Buffet (what model btw since you obviously think very highly of it) while others might hate it. Try as many as you can before you "go with the flow" or go with what someone said. Decide for yourselves, it`s your money.

Bradley

Yes, many people are hoping their clarinets will have some special value because of their age, or rarity or something.
i.e. They will be collectors pieces.

Collectors are a relatively rare breed. Specialists. I don`t know who or where they are or where they hang out.

You probably won`t find them at ebay because they`ll be hidden behind the artificially low prices they`ll bid.

I suggest if anyone does discover where the collectors and their markets/auctions/periodicals are they start a new thread and post it for us all to see: `How to contact collectors and price your clarinet`.

For all other clarinets you only have to look in the shops or catalogues to see what a new clarinet of your kind is worth. If yours is not new it will be worth less, of course, depending upon how worn or damaged it is.

You`ll very quickly see the maximum it could be worth.

If your model is no longer sold I think you can assume it is worth less than a new one of a current similar model. `Similar model` means, basically, either cheap `student` models or expensive `professional` models.

So you`ve got four divisions broadly of clarinet prices:

Plastic and wood is the first division. And then both are divided into cheap student and expensive professional. Giving you four different basic prices.

The only variation on this: collector`s items. It`ll be interesting if anyone knows anything about that.

How did "similar model" come to mean such things? And everyone, sorry to disappoint you all but clarinets are not like violins. Their age makes them worth much less than the comparable new version and every year means less worth. There are very few exceptions where clarinets gain a little value because of their rare qualities, but they are never worth as much as they were as a new horn. The above poster seems to like to generalize a lot and that`s not really helpful when it comes to this issue.

Bradley

I`ll do some generalising for you Bradley: People with attitudes like yours are usually fairly unpleasant and unhappy lonely people.

Now THAT`s a generalisation.

`Similar model` came to mean that because I defined it - any intelligent reading of the posting would be aware of that.

Your remark that clarinets don`t increase in value with age is a sweeping generalisation that takes no account of the irrational sentimental values placed on objects by collectors.

This is: you are guilty of the sin you choose to accuse others of.

This is not a forum for accusing others. It is not a forum for personal remarks. I would make so bold as to say, Bradley, my friend, it is not a forum for you.

Until you turned up, everyone was happy.

After you`re gone, they`ll be happy again. You probably find that happens in your personal life, too.

regards,
abrogard.

On ANY forum there will be personal remarks. I found some things you said to be faulty so I questioned them. A forum is an open discussion- so please jusitfy that comment you made including this not being a forum for me. "Before I came along" - I have been here for quite a while buddy. I would even be as bold as to say longer than you. Clarinets are never worth more than when they were new- it`s a fact, not a generalization. I have been on forums for clarinetists where there is a moderator and people still questioned others` statements. Did any of the moderators do anything? No. In all the time I have been here I think some would agree I have been much more helpful than you have, so please do not try that charade with me again because there is no point.

And by the way- I`d like to challenge you on something, find a case where a clarinet was worth more as a used horn than it was new. Then tell me about collector`s sentiments. That might make a clarinet mean more to them, but not to the general public so it would not affect anything of interest to others i.e. monetary value.

Bradley

And if anyone else is reading this- please can you explain why my "attitude" is apparently so obstreperous it hinders the learning of the readers on the forum?

And to quote my dear friend Abrogard " If your model is no longer sold I think you can assume it is worth less than a new one of a current similar model. `Similar model` means, basically, either cheap `student` models or expensive `professional` models.

So you`ve got four divisions broadly of clarinet prices:

Plastic and wood is the first division. And then both are divided into cheap student and expensive professional. Giving you four different basic prices."

If that`s not generalizing then I don`t know what is, because clarinets are always different, so the "4" categories he is talking about I`m not sure exist.

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS! WHY DON`T YOU QUITYERBELLYACHIN! I thought this was a forum to find out information and ask questions. This has seemed to turn into a mudslinging contest. If all you are capable of doing is insulting everyone them neither of you should be here. That goes double for you Bradley!