Best Bb Clarinets (German) for Classical Performance 2026
Perfect bb clarinets (german) for classical-performance - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Oscar Adler & Co. 320 Bb-Clarinet
Traditional Sound
German Orchestras
European Tradition
Key Feature:
• Distinctive German clarinet sound
✓ PROS
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
- • Traditional European fingering system
✗ CONS
- • Repair services extremely limited
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
Oscar Adler & Co. 320 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetGerman system20 Keys6 Rings4 Trills on the upper jointFork B and Fork...
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 175106
$2,858
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Foag Bb- Metallklarinette 174T B/G
by
Martin Foag
German Orchestras
Traditional Sound
European Tradition
Key Feature:
• Traditional European fingering system
✓ PROS
- • Unique tonal qualities
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
Martin Foag Bb- Metallklarinette 174T B/GBb Metal ClarinetModel 174T B/GGerman system17 Keys4 RingsBody made from...
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 453766
$3,684
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Schreiber D-13 Bb-Clarinet
by
Schreiber
European Tradition
German Orchestras
Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Traditional European fingering system
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
- • Unique tonal qualities
✗ CONS
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
Schreiber D-13 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetThe new generation 2.0Ideal for smaller handsAdvanced tone hole...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 269940
$1,758
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Schreiber D-56 Bb-Clarinet
by
Schreiber
Classical Performance
Traditional Sound
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
✓ PROS
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
Schreiber D-56 Bb-ClarinetBb Clarinet2.0 - The new generationFull Oehler systemRefined design of tone holesAltered...
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 133325
$4,806
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Oscar Adler & Co. 322 Bb-Clarinet
Classical Performance
Traditional Sound
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Traditional European fingering system
✓ PROS
- • Unique tonal qualities
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
✗ CONS
- • Repair services extremely limited
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
Oscar Adler & Co. 322 Bb ClarinetBb ClarinetGerman System22 Keys6 Rings4 Trill keys on the upper jointForked Bb and...
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 175108
$3,398
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Schreiber D-45 Virtuoso Bb-Clarinet
by
Schreiber
Traditional Sound
Specialized Performance
German Orchestras
Key Feature:
• Different acoustic properties
✓ PROS
- • Traditional European fingering system
- • Unique tonal qualities
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
Schreiber D-45 Virtuoso Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetThe new generation 2.0German systemAdvanced tone hole...
⭐
4.4/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 246801
$2,748
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Oscar Adler & Co. S 25 B Bb-Clarinet
German Orchestras
European Tradition
Traditional Sound
Key Feature:
• Distinctive German clarinet sound
✓ PROS
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
- • Repair services extremely limited
Oscar Adler & Co. S 25 B Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetProfessional Oehler clarinetWarmfull and centred toneVery balanced...
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 326797
$7,918
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Foag Bb- Metal Clarinet 174T B/S
by
Martin Foag
Classical Performance
Specialized Performance
Traditional Sound
Key Feature:
• Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
✓ PROS
- • Different acoustic properties
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
- • Very limited market and availability
Martin Foag Bb- Metallklarinette 174T B/SBb Metal ClarinetModel 174T B/GGerman system17 Keys4 RingsBody made from...
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 453767
$3,684
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
F.A. Uebel 638 Bb-Clarinet Mopane
by
F.A. Uebel
Traditional Sound
Classical Performance
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal qualities
✓ PROS
- • Different acoustic properties
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
F.A. Uebel 638 Bb-Clarinet MopaneBb ClarinetMopane wood (Colophospermum mopane)24 Keys5 RingsBell mechanism with deep...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 470645
$5,828
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Oscar Adler & Co. 323 Bb-Clarinet
Traditional Sound
German Orchestras
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Traditional European fingering system
✓ PROS
- • Different acoustic properties
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
Oscar Adler & Co. 323 Bb ClarinetBb ClarinetOehler system23 Keys5 Rings1 Finger plate4 Trill keys on the upper...
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 175109
$4,398
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Schreiber D-27 Bb-Clarinet Austria
by
Schreiber
Specialized Performance
Traditional Sound
German Orchestras
Key Feature:
• Different acoustic properties
✓ PROS
- • Unique tonal qualities
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
- • Very limited market and availability
Schreiber D-27 Bb-Clarinet Austria - NEWBb ClarinetThe new generation 2.0Austrian modelGerman fingering systemAdvanced...
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 279179
$2,088
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
F.A. Uebel 621KH Bb-Clarinet Children
by
F.A. Uebel
Specialized Performance
Traditional Sound
Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Traditional European fingering system
✓ PROS
- • Unique tonal qualities
- • Traditional European fingering system
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
- • Repair services extremely limited
F.A. Uebel 621KH Bb-Clarinet ChildrenBb ClarinetErgonomically optimised instrument - especially suitable for children...
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 261147
$1,758
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YCL-857 II Clarinet
by
Yamaha
Classical Performance
German Orchestras
European Tradition
Key Feature:
• Traditional European fingering system
✓ PROS
- • Different acoustic properties
- • Unique tonal qualities
✗ CONS
- • Very limited market and availability
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
Yamaha YCL-857 IIBb ClarinetCustom seriesHandmade soloist modelGerman system27 Keys5 RingsOehler systemE / F bell...
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 153646
$6,588
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann GCL-420 MKII Bb-Clarinet Set
by
Thomann
Traditional Sound
German Orchestras
European Tradition
Key Feature:
• Different acoustic properties
✓ PROS
- • Traditional European fingering system
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
✗ CONS
- • Very limited market and availability
- • Repair services extremely limited
Thomann GCL-420 MKII Bb-Clarinet Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann GCL-420 MKII Bb-Clarinet*Bb Clarinet*improved...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 517429
$1,000
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YCL-657-24 II Clarinet
by
Yamaha
German Orchestras
European Tradition
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Different acoustic properties
✓ PROS
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
- • Traditional European fingering system
✗ CONS
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
- • Very limited market and availability
Yamaha YCL 657-24 IIBb ClarinetGerman fingeringMade of grenadilla wood (Dalbergia melanoxylon)Oehler System24 keys5...
⭐
4.7/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 100462
$3,958
How to Choose the Best Bb Clarinets (German)
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 (german) 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.
