Best A Clarinets (Boehm) 2026
So, you're in the market for an A clarinet, eh? It's a demanding instrument - the jump from Bb to A can be brutal if your horn isn't up to snuff. Forget those beginner models your school band used; we're talking about instruments that can handle a gig, cut through a chamber ensemble, or lay down a solid track in the studio. Let's get you set up right.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
Buffet Crampon Divine A-Clarinet 19/6
- • Hand-selected grenadilla wood yields a remarkably warm, complex, and resonant tone.
- • The Gore-Tex and cork tenon combination minimizes air leaks and enhances response.
- • 19 keys and 6 rings offer exceptional technical agility and a refined feel.
- • Eb lever and low F# correction key expand playing range and versatility significantly.
- • The premium-priced tag makes it inaccessible for many student or intermediate players.
- • Grenadilla wood, while beautiful, is susceptible to humidity changes requiring careful maintenance.
- • Lacks a mouthpiece, forcing the buyer to invest in a compatible, high-quality option.
Buffet Crampon Légende A-Clarinet 19/6
- • Grenadilla wood body delivers a rich, warm, and complex tonal palette.
- • 19 keys and 6 rings offer exceptional technical agility and responsiveness.
- • GT-pad combination ensures consistent intonation and minimizes pad leaks.
- • Buffet’s cylindrical bore provides a focused, powerful, and reliable projection.
- • The premium-priced tag puts it out of reach for many aspiring players.
- • Grenadilla wood requires careful maintenance to prevent cracking and warping.
- • The weight can be a factor for younger or smaller-handed players.
Selmer Privilege A-Clarinet 18/6 BK
- • Grenadilla wood body ensures stable tone and smooth response
- • Eb lever allows players to change keys easily
- • Evolution system extends the instrument's working life
- • Includes two barrels for different playing styles
- • Black chrome plating may show scratches easily
- • No weight listed makes balance feel uncertain
- • Evolution resin seal is a complex repair item
Buffet Crampon Tosca A-Clarinet 19/6 GL
- • Greenline wood body offers dense, warm tone
- • Silver keys ensure smooth, fast response
- • Low-F improvement aids low register playing
- • Elegant green finish looks professional
- • No mouthpiece included for testing
- • Weight not listed in description
- • Eb lever adds mechanical complexity
Buffet Crampon Tosca A-Clarinet 19/6
- • Grenadilla wood body delivers exceptional warmth and projection.
- • Silver-plated keys offer smooth action and responsiveness.
- • Low-F mechanism expands range and versatility for advanced players.
- • Eb lever enhances intonation and facilitates complex passages.
- • The all-grenadilla construction makes it relatively heavy for extended playing.
- • Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many musicians.
- • The included mouthpiece may not suit every player's preference.
Selmer Muse 19/6 A Clarinet
- • Grenadilla wood body offers classic dark resonance
- • Silver plated mechanism ensures smooth key action
- • 6 rings provide precise finger control
- • Evolution system seals bore for long life
- • Eb lever adds complexity for some players
- • No weight information listed in description
- • Price is high for many musicians
Buffet Crampon Tradition A-Clarinet 19/6
- • Exceptional grenadilla wood tone, rich and complex.
- • Robust silver-plated mechanism ensures reliable action.
- • GT pads offer excellent resonance and responsiveness.
- • Includes two barrels for fine-tuning intonation.
- • Premium-priced, a significant investment for most players.
- • Grenadilla wood can be susceptible to cracking with improper care.
- • The cylindrical bore favors a darker tone, limiting bright timbral options.
Selmer Privilege Evo A-Clarinet 18/6
- • Grenadilla wood body offers warm, traditional tone
- • Silver-plated keys ensure smooth response and durability
- • Integrated metal tenon prevents key breakage over time
- • Includes Concept mouthpiece and two extra barrels in case
- • Upper joint resin-sealed bore is unusual for some players
- • Evolution system specifics are vague without full specs
- • Weight is not listed, potentially heavy for tall players
Buffet Crampon RC Prestige A-Clar 18/6 - NEW
- • Exceptional grenadilla wood tone – rich, complex, and responsive.
- • Polycylindrical bore provides a remarkably even scale across registers.
- • Silver-plated keys offer a smooth, precise action with minimal resistance.
- • Includes two barrels for fine-tuning intonation and tonal color.
- • The natural finish requires diligent care to prevent cracking or warping.
- • Premium-priced, making it a significant investment for most players.
- • The heavier build may fatigue some players during extended performance.
Selmer Présence II A-Clarinet 18/6
- • Synthetic resin upper joint resists cracking and aging.
- • Grenadilla wood provides warm, classic A clarinet tone.
- • Silver-plated keys ensure smooth, fast response.
- • Includes two barrel lengths for versatile intonation.
- • No stated weight for carry comfort.
- • No listed maintenance or repair costs.
- • No specific acoustic response notes provided.
Buffet Crampon RC A-Clarinet 18/6
- • Grenadilla wood body provides rich, warm tonal color.
- • Silver-plated keys offer smooth, responsive action and durability.
- • 18 keys/6 rings enhance technical capabilities and intonation.
- • New cup design improves projection and overall sound quality.
- • Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many players.
- • Requires a skilled player to truly unlock its potential.
- • Grenadilla wood is susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature.
Buffet Crampon RC A-Clarinet 17/6
- • Grenadilla body provides exceptional warmth and projection.
- • 17 keys/6 rings offer enhanced technical agility.
- • Silver-plated mechanism ensures smooth, responsive action.
- • New bell design contributes to a richer, more focused tone.
- • Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many players.
- • Lack of mouthpiece limits immediate playability; requires separate purchase.
- • Can feel slightly heavy for younger or smaller-statured players.
Yamaha YCL-CSV RA Clarinet
- • Made from durable grenadilla wood for solid structure
- • Heavily silvered mechanism ensures smooth key action
- • Integral conical tone holes provide a lively sound
- • Includes Yamaha 4CM ebonite mouthpiece in the box
- • Extended keys may complicate repairs for some
- • No specific barrel length is listed in details
- • Weight is not stated in the manufacturer text
Yamaha YCL-CX A Clarinet
- • Grenadilla wood body offers rich, deep tone character
- • Inset conical holes produce a bright French sound
- • Silvered mechanism ensures smooth, responsive action
- • Includes matching ebonite mouthpiece for immediate setup
- • Undercut design may feel different to players used to standard
- • No listed barrel length makes comparison to rivals difficult
- • Missing specific weight data for touring comfort checks
Buffet Crampon Gala A-Clarinet 18/6
- • Grenadilla body delivers a warm, focused, and resonant tone.
- • Shared bore with inTraditionin/inLégendein models offers excellent projection.
- • Silver-plated keys provide smooth action and reliable response.
- • Leaf screw design enhances key stability and intonation accuracy.
- • The polycylindrical bore might lack the extreme flexibility of a cylindrical design for advanced players.
- • The silver plating, while durable, will require occasional polishing to prevent tarnish.
- • Being a mid-range Buffet, it doesn't have *all* the refinements of the higher-end models.
Every a clarinets (boehm) that matches
18 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
| # | Model | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Buffet Crampon E-13 A-Clarinet 17/6 | not published | $2,270 |
| 17 | Buffet Crampon E-11 A-Clarinet 17/6 | not published | $1,931 |
| 18 | Thomann CL-18A A-Clarinet Boehm | not published | $984 |
A Clarinets (Boehm) by the numbers
Measured across all 18 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best A Clarinets (Boehm)
Tone
It's not just about being 'nice.' You want a core that's rich and focused, not thin and reedy. An A clarinet needs to have a warmth that contrasts well with the brighter Bb clarinet sound, and a sustain that doesn't collapse under pressure - especially if you're playing in a larger ensemble.
Intonation
A clarinet's intonation is notoriously finicky. Look for consistent intonation across the range, especially in the upper register where things can get sharp quickly. A slight adjustment to the facing can sometimes fix issues, but a horn that's fundamentally out is a headache.
Action & Response
The action shouldn't be too light (sluggish response) or too heavy (fatiguing to play). A responsive action means quicker articulation and more control over dynamics - vital for everything from classical to jazz. A good horn will 'speak' easily, even at lower dynamic levels.
Keywork & Ergonomics
This is about comfort and reliability. Check for smooth, well-placed keys that don't feel cramped or awkward. The neck profile matters too - a neck that's too thick or thin can negatively impact your playing and contribute to fatigue over longer gigs.
Construction & Materials
Grenadilla wood is the gold standard, but it's expensive. Cheaper horns often use African Blackwood which can be a bit softer and prone to cracking if not cared for properly. Resin or composite bodies are an option for durability, but they often lack the tonal complexity of wood - a trade-off for longevity.
Buying Guide
Don't be swayed by flashy finishes or marketing hype. A well-made A clarinet isn't cheap, but it's an investment. Corners get cut with cheaper wood, less precise keywork, and a rushed finish - all of which translate to a less enjoyable playing experience and potential headaches down the line. Prioritize intonation and response over aesthetics; a beautiful horn that plays poorly is just a conversation piece.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 18 a clarinets (boehm) from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
