Posted this in the wrong place a few days ago. Should have better luck here.

One of my kids is taking up the clarinet. Have been looking on e-bay for a day or so. Have seen Buffet E11`s, selmer 100`s and some used Le Blancs.

Guessed that wood must produce a better sound. On E-bay, a lot of these can be gotten for well under$200.

All things being equal, which is a better instrument in that price range?

Or, since she`s 8, would sacrificing sound for durability be a better choice at this point?

Should she not play it. I really like the way the clarinet sounds and may end up getting some use out of it.

TIA

Being a band director, I know what it is like having beginning clarinetists. First, if you are able to go to a local music store, I would check and make sure she can play the instruemnt. It`s not so much the "being able to play" as much as I would be concerned about her being able to cover the tone holes. For an eight year old, that would be quite a difficult task, as sometimes I have 12-13 year olds who cannot correctly cover the tone holes. Other than that, I would not spend a great deal of money at this point until you know she is in this for awhile. By the time she reaches high school and has an interest in playing at least through college, at this point I would spend the extra money to get a pro level horn.

Thanks a lot for your help.
jake