Best A Clarinets (Boehm) for Intermediate 2026
So, you've been dabbling with the clarinet, maybe got a feel for the basics, and now you're ready to step up your game. The A clarinet (Boehm system) is a fantastic choice - it's versatile and a real workhorse. But finding the right one at the intermediate level isn't just about price; it's about playability, tone, and a bit of future-proofing. Let's cut through the noise and find something that'll actually inspire you to practice.
Last updated: September 22, 2026
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.
Buffet Crampon E-13 A-Clarinet 17/6
- • Exceptional grenadilla wood body delivers rich, warm tonal character
- • Silver-plated keys offer responsive action and durability
- • 17 keys/6 rings provide excellent intonation and versatility
- • Solid build quality; Buffet’s reputation for longevity is well-earned
- • Can feel a little heavy for younger or smaller players
- • The included mouthpiece is decent, but an upgrade is often desired
- • Higher price point makes it a premium investment
Buffet Crampon E-11 A-Clarinet 17/6
- • Grenadilla wood body provides a warm, resonant, and focused tone.
- • Silver-plated keys offer smooth action and a bright aesthetic.
- • Valentino pads ensure airtightness and reliable performance over time.
- • 17 keys and 6 rings allow for extended range and comfortable fingering.
- • Grenadilla wood can be susceptible to cracking with extreme humidity changes.
- • The silver-plated keys require occasional polishing to prevent tarnish.
- • The instrument's weight may be tiring for younger or smaller players.
Thomann CL-18A A-Clarinet Boehm
- • Grenadilla wood body provides a warm, resonant tone.
- • Silver-plated keys offer smooth action and reliable response.
- • Eb lever expands range and facilitates complex passages.
- • Includes accessories like barrels and a polishing cloth for immediate playability.
- • Grenadilla can be susceptible to cracking with drastic humidity changes.
- • The included mouthpiece is likely a basic model; an upgrade is recommended.
- • While well-checked, Thomann's QC isn’t quite Yamaha or Selmer level.
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
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 Tosca A-Clarinet 19/6 | not published | $8,570 |
| 17 | Selmer Muse 19/6 A Clarinet | not published | $7,444 |
| 18 | Buffet Crampon Tradition A-Clarinet 19/6 | not published | $6,996 |
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)
Playability
This is king. Intermediate players need a clarinet that's forgiving - a comfortable action, a responsive lower register, and a manageable upper register. A stiff action or poor voicing will just breed frustration and bad habits.
Tone Quality
You're beyond the beginner 'squawk' now. Look for a clarinet with a warm, even tone across the range, avoiding that overly bright or thin sound. That 'fat midrange honk' is what you want for blending with other instruments and cutting through a band mix.
Keywork & Ergonomics
Intonation is only as good as your ability to consistently hit the notes. Well-placed, comfortable keywork is essential for accurate fingerings and a relaxed playing experience. Neck profile is surprisingly important too - a neck that's too thick or thin can impact airflow and intonation.
Material & Construction
While full grenadilla isn't necessarily a must, a good quality composite or resin body will be more stable and resistant to temperature and humidity changes - a real plus for gigging. Avoid anything that feels flimsy or poorly assembled.
Intonation
Let's be real, all clarinets need adjustment. But a clarinet that's consistently sharp or flat across the range will be a nightmare to tune. Look for something that's reasonably well-intoned out of the box, minimizing the need for extensive repairs.
Buying Guide
At this level, you're trading up from student instruments, so expect to pay more for improvements in tone and playability. Don't chase the highest-end features - a fancy silver key system won't magically make you a better player. Focus on a well-built instrument with a comfortable action and a pleasing tone; a good technician can tweak it to perfection. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true - cheap clarinets often cut corners on materials and workmanship, and those compromises will impact your playing.
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.
