Best Bb Clarinets (German) for Classical Performance 2026
Perfect bb clarinets (german) for classical-performance - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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
⭐
4.6/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Schreiber D-61 Prestige Bb-Clarinet
by
Schreiber
Classical Performance
European Tradition
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Different acoustic properties
✓ PROS
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
- • Unique tonal qualities
✗ CONS
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
Schreiber D-61 Prestige Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetThe new generation 2.0Full Oehler systemAdvanced tone hole...
⭐
4.6/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 188801
$6,874
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Schreiber D-12 Bb-Clarinet
by
Schreiber
German Orchestras
Classical Performance
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
✓ PROS
- • Unique tonal qualities
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
✗ CONS
- • Very limited market and availability
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
Schreiber D-12 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetThe new generation 2.0With child-friendlysilver-platednarrower key system...
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 141545
$1,506
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
F.A. Uebel 634 Bb-Clarinet
by
F.A. Uebel
Specialized Performance
European Tradition
German Orchestras
Key Feature:
• Distinctive German clarinet sound
✓ PROS
- • Traditional European fingering system
- • Unique tonal qualities
✗ CONS
- • Very limited market and availability
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
F.A. Uebel 634 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetMade of grenadilla wood24 keysFive ringsOne finger plate (Oehler mechanism)Four...
⭐
4.7/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 280674
$3,078
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Schreiber D-42 Bb-Clarinet Austria
by
Schreiber
Specialized Performance
Classical Performance
German Orchestras
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal qualities
✓ PROS
- • Traditional European fingering system
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Repair services extremely limited
- • Very limited market and availability
Schreiber D-42 Bb-Clarinet AustriaBb ClarinetThe new generation 2.0Austrian modelGerman fingering systemMade of...
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 279181
$2,638
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann GCL-420 MKII Bb-Clarinet
by
Thomann
Traditional Sound
Specialized Performance
German Orchestras
Key Feature:
• Distinctive German clarinet sound
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Very limited market and availability
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
Thomann GCL-420 MKII Bb ClarinetBb Clarinetimproved versionGerman fingering20 Keys6 Tone holesMade entirely of natural...
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 302998
$988
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
F.A. Uebel 632 Bb-Clarinet
by
F.A. Uebel
European Tradition
German Orchestras
Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Different acoustic properties
✓ PROS
- • Traditional European fingering system
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
F.A. Uebel 632 Bb-ClarinetBb- ClarinetModel 632Blackwoodnaturally dried (Dalbergia melanoxylon)23 Keys5 Rings1 Finger...
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 193099
$2,525
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Schreiber D-41 Bb-Clarinet
by
Schreiber
Traditional Sound
German Orchestras
Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Distinctive German clarinet sound
✓ PROS
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
- • Very limited market and availability
Schreiber D-41 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetThe new generation 2.0German fingering systemAdvanced tone hole...
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 100449
$2,485
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann GCL-422 MKII Bb-Clarinet Set
by
Thomann
Specialized Performance
Traditional Sound
German Orchestras
Key Feature:
• Distinctive German clarinet sound
✓ PROS
- • Unique tonal qualities
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
Thomann GCL-422 MKII Bb-Clarinet Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann GCL-422 MKII Bb-Clarinet*Bb Clarinet*Improved...
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523014
$1,222
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.
