Best Bb Clarinets (German) for Traditional Sound 2026
Perfect bb clarinets (german) for traditional-sound - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
F.A. Uebel 622 Bb-Clarinet
by
F.A. Uebel
Specialized Performance
German Orchestras
Traditional Sound
Key Feature:
• Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Difficult to find qualified teachers
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
F.A. Uebel 622 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetGrenadillaGerman fingering22 Keys6 Rings4 Trill keysForked Bb and -F...
⭐
4.7/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 145469
$2,198
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann GCL-422 MKII Bb-Clarinet
by
Thomann
European Tradition
Traditional Sound
Specialized Performance
Key Feature:
• Different acoustic properties
✓ PROS
- • Different acoustic properties
- • Distinctive German clarinet sound
✗ CONS
- • Repair services extremely limited
- • Very limited market and availability
Thomann GCL-422 MKII Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetImproved modelGerman fingering22 keysSix ringsMade entirely from natural...
⭐
4.8/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 309242
$1,154
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
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
#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
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YCL-457II-20 Clarinet
by
Yamaha
Specialized Performance
European Tradition
German Orchestras
Key Feature:
• Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
✓ PROS
- • Traditional European fingering system
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Not interchangeable with Boehm system
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
Yamaha YCL-457II-20Bb ClarinetGerman key system20 Keys6 RingsBarrel 56 mmMade of grenadilla woodElevated flat plateau...
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 323120
$1,418
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann GCL-416 Synthetic Line
by
Thomann
Classical Performance
European Tradition
Traditional Sound
Key Feature:
• Traditional European fingering system
✓ PROS
- • Preferred in Germanic musical traditions
- • Different acoustic properties
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty instruments
- • Very limited market and availability
Thomann GCL-416 Synthetic LineJunior Bb Clarinet"Synthetic Line"German fingeringKey system suitable for...
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 270169
$611
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
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
#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.
