Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm) Under $800 2026
So, you're in the market for a Bb clarinet and you're trying to be smart about it - good on you. Let's be real, dropping serious cash on a horn isn't always practical, especially when you're just starting out or gigging a few times a month. This list isn't about the Selmer Reference 54; it's about getting the most bang for your buck under $800, finding something that won't make your ears bleed and can hold its own in a band setting.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6 Set
- • Durable ABS body withstands student use and travel well.
- • Poly-cylindrical bore delivers a surprisingly rich, focused tone.
- • Silver-plated keys offer smooth action and responsiveness.
- • Includes a Bari reed and stand, adding immediate value.
- • ABS body, while durable, lacks the tonal complexity of wood.
- • Basic mouthpiece limits advanced players' tonal exploration.
- • Limited key configuration restricts advanced technical passages.
- • Gig bag is functional, but not exceptionally protective.
Startone SCL- 65 Bb- Clarinet Set
- • ABS plastic body offers excellent durability for student use
- • Silver-plated nickel silver keys provide smooth action and a bright tone
- • Included accessories like the stand and barrels add significant value
- • Pre-setup by a workshop ensures a playable instrument out of the box
- • ABS plastic body lacks the tonal complexity of wood clarinets
- • Silver-plated finish requires diligent care to prevent tarnishing
- • Basic mouthpiece limits advanced players’ tonal flexibility
Startone SCL- 25 Bb- Clarinet Set
- • ABS plastic body offers durability and resists humidity well
- • Silver-plated nickel silver keys provide a decent, responsive feel
- • Includes a stand and accessories, offering excellent value
- • Pre-tuned and workshop-checked, improving immediate playability
- • ABS plastic body lacks the tonal warmth of wood
- • Silver-plated mechanism will require more frequent polishing to prevent tarnish
- • Mouthpiece is likely a basic model, limiting advanced tone control
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 18/6
- • Durable ABS body resists cracking, ideal for students
- • Poly-cylindrical bore offers a surprisingly warm, responsive tone
- • Blue steel springs provide a lighter, quicker key action
- • Well-matched leather pads ensure reliable sealing and intonation
- • ABS body lacks the tonal complexity of grenadilla wood
- • Included mouthpiece is adequate but a significant upgrade is recommended
- • Silver-plated keys can tarnish, requiring occasional polishing
Yamaha YCL-255 S Bb-Clarinet Set
- • ABS body offers durability and consistent intonation.
- • Silver-plated keys provide smooth action and resist tarnish.
- • New thumb rest improves comfort and playing stability.
- • Included reeds offer a good starting point for tone exploration.
- • ABS construction lacks the tonal complexity of a full wood body.
- • 4C mouthpiece is basic; an upgrade will significantly improve sound.
- • Lighter bell design might sacrifice some projection at higher volumes.
Thomann CL-17BB Bb- Clarinet Boehm
- • Grenadilla wood body offers a warm, resonant tone characteristic of higher-end instruments.
- • Six rings provide improved key action and a more secure feel compared to simpler designs.
- • Two barrels (64/66mm) allow for easy adjustment of intonation and tonal color.
- • Includes a comprehensive accessory pack, offering immediate playability and care supplies.
- • Silver-plated keys, while durable, won’t offer the same nuanced feel as solid silver.
- • The included mouthpiece is likely a basic model, limiting advanced tonal possibilities.
- • Grenadilla wood, while beautiful, can be susceptible to cracking with improper care.
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6
- • Durable ABS body resists cracking and temperature changes.
- • Poly-cylindrical bore offers a responsive, even tone across registers.
- • Blue steel springs provide a lighter, faster action for improved agility.
- • Well-matched leather pads ensure reliable sealing and consistent intonation.
- • ABS body lacks the acoustic richness of traditional wood.
- • Included mouthpiece is serviceable but may limit tonal exploration.
- • Silver-plated keywork requires occasional polishing to prevent tarnish.
Yamaha YCL-255 S Bb-Clarinet
- • ABS body provides excellent durability and consistent intonation.
- • Silver-plated keys offer smooth action and resist tarnish.
- • Improved thumb rest enhances comfort and control during playing.
- • Yamaha 4C mouthpiece provides a reliable, student-friendly tone.
- • ABS construction lacks the warmth and tonal complexity of wood.
- • Silver plating requires occasional polishing to prevent discoloration.
- • Limited upper register response compared to higher-end models.
Thomann CL-17BB CG Bb- Clarinet Boehm
- • Grenadilla/composite body offers a surprisingly warm and resonant tone.
- • Silver-plated keys provide smooth action and a bright aesthetic.
- • Two barrel options allow for tuning adjustments and tonal flexibility.
- • Includes comprehensive accessories, a great value for the price point.
- • Composite construction may not fully replicate the tonal complexity of all-wood instruments.
- • The included mouthpiece is functional but likely a limiting factor for advanced players.
- • Key mechanism, while functional, may exhibit minor inconsistencies compared to higher-end models.
Nuvo Band Bb-Clarinet Black
- • ABS and polycarbonate body is very light at 420 grams.
- • Sturdy design works in rain, snow, or dusty conditions.
- • Silicone padding protects fingers on all 14 keys.
- • Soft tone suits students needing a gentle sound.
- • Plastic construction may lack resonance of wood.
- • ABS material can feel less premium than wood.
- • No barrel length is listed for comparison.
Startone SCL- 65 Bb- Clarinet
- • ABS body offers durability, resisting cracks common in wood instruments
- • Silver-plated nickel silver keys provide a responsive, relatively smooth action
- • Includes multiple barrels for slight tuning adjustments and tonal variation
- • Complete accessory package offers immediate playability and convenience.
- • ABS plastic body lacks the tonal complexity of wood, sounding somewhat 'plastic'
- • Silver-plated keywork, while decent, won't match the feel of solid silver keys
- • Beginner-level instrument; advanced players will likely outgrow its capabilities quickly
Startone SCL- 25 Bb- Clarinet
- • ABS body offers excellent durability and resists cracking.
- • Silver-plated nickel silver keys provide smooth action and responsiveness.
- • Includes a complete accessory pack – swab, grease, ligature, case.
- • Pre-tuned and checked by a workshop ensures playable condition out of the box.
- • ABS plastic body lacks the tonal complexity of wood.
- • Silver-plated mechanism may tarnish and require occasional cleaning.
- • Mouthpiece is likely a basic model, limiting advanced tonal shaping.
Bb Clarinets (Boehm) by the numbers
Measured across all 12 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm)
Tone
Forget 'bright' or 'dark'; we're talking about sustain, warmth, and that crucial low-end thump. A clarinet that sounds thin and reedy won't cut it in a jazz combo or a rock band. It needs some body.
Intonation
A clarinet that's consistently out of tune is a headache, plain and simple. We're looking for something that's reasonably in tune straight out of the box, minimizing the tuning adjustments needed on gig.
Action & Keywork
The action shouldn't be too high - it'll kill your speed and articulation. Smooth, responsive keywork is essential for clean, fast playing, especially when you're trying to nail those tricky passages.
Construction & Materials
Resin bodies are the norm at this price point. They're durable, but don't expect the resonance of grenadilla wood. Pad quality is also a tell - cheap pads leak and affect tone and intonation.
Articulation & Dynamics
A good clarinet responds well to your breath control, giving you a full dynamic range. You should be able to whisper a soft phrase and then really project without sounding honky or strained.
Buying Guide
Under $800, you're making compromises. Resin bodies are the standard, which means you won't get the complex overtones of a wood clarinet - expect a more focused, but less nuanced sound. Pad leaks are a common issue - check them carefully before you buy. Don't chase the 'perfect' tone; focus on something that's reliable, playable, and won't break the bank. A good technician can often improve a decent horn more than a 'better' horn can perform out of the box.
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 12 bb clarinets (boehm) from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 12 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.
