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Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm) Under $5,000 2025

Affordable bb clarinets (boehm) under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $800 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Students For Band For Orchestra For Jazz For All Genres For General Performance
BRANDS: Buffet Crampon RZ Clarinets Yamaha Selmer
Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 17/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 17/6

by Buffet Crampon
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
RZ Clarinets Dolce Bb-Clarinet 17/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 18/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 18/6

by RZ Clarinets
General Performance Orchestra Students
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
  • • Extensive repertoire available
  • • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
  • • May require A clarinet for some pieces
  • • Competition in section auditions

RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemModel for students and advanced playersMaterial:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589352
$2,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Prologue II 18/6 Bb-Clarinet - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Selmer Prologue II 18/6 Bb-Clarinet

by Selmer
Jazz Orchestra All Genres
Key Feature:
• Extensive repertoire available
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to find teachers and repair
  • • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Competition in section auditions
  • • Standard fingering system limitations

Selmer Prologue II 18/6 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetBoehm System18 Keys6 RingsEb lever1 Barrel: 64.5 mmSilver-plated key...

⭐ 4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600614
$2,198
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6

by Buffet Crampon
All Genres Band Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to find teachers and repair
  • • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • May require A clarinet for some pieces
  • • Standard fingering system limitations

Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetModel BC1102L-2-0Boehm systemEb leverMade completely of African...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 154334
$2,155
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon RC Bb-Clarinet 17/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Buffet Crampon RC Bb-Clarinet 17/6

by Buffet Crampon
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6 Gig Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 18/6 Gig Bag

by Buffet Crampon
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 18/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 18/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Buffet Crampon Gala Bb-Clarinet 18/6

by Buffet Crampon
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 17/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon R13 Bb-Clarinet 17/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Buffet Crampon R13 Bb-Clarinet 17/6

by Buffet Crampon
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
RZ Clarinets Allegro Bb-Clarinet 18/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

RZ Clarinets Allegro Bb-Clarinet 18/6

by RZ Clarinets
General Performance Jazz All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great for all musical styles
  • • Extensive repertoire available
✗ CONS
  • • Requires regular maintenance
  • • Competition in section auditions

RZ Clarinets Allegro Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm fingeringProfessional modelMaterial: Grenadilla wood18 Keys6...

⭐ 4.4/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589354
$3,848
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YCL-CSG III L 02 Clarinet - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha YCL-CSG III L 02 Clarinet

by Yamaha
Orchestra General Performance All Genres
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
  • • Great for all musical styles
  • • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
  • • Requires regular maintenance
  • • Common but requires skill to stand out

Yamaha YCL-CSG III L 02 ClarinetBb clarinetCustom SeriesBoehm system19 keys6 ringsEb-leverIntonation correction system...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 235441
$4,036
Buy at Thomann View Details
Oscar Adler & Co. 911 Bb-Clarinet Boehm - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Oscar Adler & Co. 911 Bb-Clarinet Boehm

by Oscar Adler & Co.
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Présence II Bb-Clarinet 18/6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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