Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm) Under $5,000 2026
Affordable bb clarinets (boehm) under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Students
For Band
For Orchestra
For Jazz
For All Genres
For General Performance
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Buffet Crampon R13 Bb-Clarinet 17/6
All Genres
General Performance
Students
Key Feature:
• Extensive repertoire available
✓ PROS
- • Boehm system widely taught
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
Buffet Crampon R13 Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm systemA = 440 Hz17 Keys5 RingsSilver plated mechanismsMade of...
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 233803
$3,904
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 17/6
Students
Band
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Boehm system widely taught
- • Extensive repertoire available
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetModel: BC1121Boehm systemGala modelSame bore as the...
⭐
4.8/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 503343
$3,145
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Oscar Adler & Co. 912 Bb-Clarinet Boehm
Students
All Genres
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
Oscar Adler & Co. 912 Bb-Clarinet BoehmBb ClarinetBoehm systemStudent model18 Keys6 RingsEb leverOpen and clear...
⭐
4.7/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 326800
$2,748
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6 Gig Bag
Orchestra
Students
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Most common clarinet type
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
- • Requires regular maintenance
Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6 Gig BagBb Clarinet (Boehm System)Model BC1102LC-2-0GB18 keys and six ringsWith Eb...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 616161
$2,067
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Oscar Adler & Co. 911 Bb-Clarinet Boehm
Jazz
Students
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
Oscar Adler & Co. 911 Bb-Clarinet BoehmBb ClarinetBoehm systemStudent model17 Keys6 RingsOpen and clear sound65.0...
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 326799
$2,528
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
Band
Jazz
General Performance
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Most common clarinet type
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Competition in section auditions
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemProfessional modelMaterial: unstained grenadilla wood17...
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589358
$4,618
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 18/6
Orchestra
Jazz
General Performance
Key Feature:
• Boehm system widely taught
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetModel: BC1121LBoehm systemGala modelSame bore as the model...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 503348
$3,518
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
RZ Clarinets
Jazz
General Performance
Band
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • Requires regular maintenance
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm fingeringProfessional modelMaterial: unstained grenadilla wood18...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589357
$4,838
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Buffet Crampon R13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6
Band
All Genres
General Performance
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
- • Standard fingering system limitations
Buffet Crampon R13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetModel BC1131L-2-0Boehm SystemA = 440 Hz18 Keys6 RingsSilver-plated key...
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 233804
$4,178
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Buffet Crampon RC Bb-Clarinet 17/6
Band
General Performance
Students
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
Buffet Crampon BC1114-2-0 RC Bb-Clarinet 17Bb ClarinetRC seriesBoehm system440 - 442 Hz17 Keys6 Rings2 BarrelsLeather...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 335781
$4,047
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YCL-CX-E Clarinet
by
Yamaha
Jazz
Students
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
Yamaha YCL-CX-E ClarinetBb Boehm Clarinet Custom SeriesConical tone holesUndercutOpen French soundEb lever on the...
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 149527
$2,804
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
RZ Clarinets Dolce Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
All Genres
General Performance
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • Requires regular maintenance
RZ Clarinets Dolce Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm System‘Plateaux’ rings (covered key system)Professional...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589356
$2,848
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Buffet Crampon RC Bb-Clarinet 18/6
All Genres
Orchestra
Students
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Most common clarinet type
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
- • Requires regular maintenance
Buffet Crampon RC Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetRC seriesBoehm-system440/442 Hz18 Keys (Eb lever)6 Rings2 BarrelsLeather...
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 335783
$3,958
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Selmer Présence II Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
Selmer
Band
Orchestra
General Performance
Key Feature:
• Boehm system widely taught
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Competition in section auditions
Selmer Présence II Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb Clarinet (Boehm System)Evolution model: Synthetic resin bore in the upper...
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610053
$3,724
#15
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
All Genres
General Performance
Students
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemModel for students and advanced playersMaterial:...
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589351
$2,034
How to Choose the Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm)
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced bb clarinets (boehm) typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
