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Author Topic: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet  (Read 25136 times)

Offline DaveLeBlanc

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The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« on: February 23, 2013, 04:03:04 PM »
What is the most expensive clarinet ever?!

I know a rosewood Selmer Contrabass is $23,000...

What about Bb clarinets?  I have a feeling that the prize will go to Buffet for this one.

Also, what is the most expensive clarinet YOU guys own?
The most expensive clarinet was bought by my dad for 500 bucks (new Buffet B12).

Most expensive clarinet I have bought is Wolf Gottmans full boehm (137.50).
David Watson of the original The Clarinet Pages
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Offline Skyfacer

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RE: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2013, 09:50:27 PM »
Forget Buffet.
I think the Fratelli Patricola instruments (Oboe & Clarinet) would be right up there.
Prices are not listed on their site, one must inquire as to prices.
Apparently made of top quality Mozambique \"Grenadilla\" or South American \"Rosewood\"
I like to go to their site occasionally and dream :)
« Last Edit: February 23, 2013, 09:52:02 PM by Skyfacer »
The Clarinet is not a Horn.
Barry Vincent

Offline ZoeB

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RE: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2013, 11:30:36 PM »
Backun? I shudder to think what a MoBa clarinet costs.

Offline BLMonopole

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RE: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2013, 02:43:13 AM »
I\'ll go with smaller custom manufacturers like Schwenk & Seggelke ( http://www.schwenk-und-seggelke.de/englisch/index.php ), Rossi ( http://www.rossiclarinet.com ) or Peter Eaton ( http://www.eatonclarinets.freeserve.co.uk  )  all of whom have high-priced basic models, and will hand manufacture to your specifications.

Offline Skyfacer

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RE: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2013, 06:56:37 AM »
Thanks for the links BL, now I have three other sites that I can log into and drool over. ;)
The Clarinet is not a Horn.
Barry Vincent

Offline DaveLeBlanc

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RE: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2013, 06:54:44 PM »
whoaa...  one day when i am rich and famous...
David Watson of the original The Clarinet Pages
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Offline Skyfacer

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RE: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2013, 12:00:57 AM »
Forget famous, just rich will do me.
The Clarinet is not a Horn.
Barry Vincent

Offline noneyet

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2019, 04:09:25 AM »
So prices have been steadily rising since the origination of this post....would anyone like to buy me one of these before it goes up again?  :o

https://www.wwbw.com/Selmer-Paris-Model-41-Contrabass-Clarinet-467305-467305000000000.wwbw
Hoarding clarinets since 2016 it's Stu Weaver only on The Clarinet Pages. :)

Offline DaveLeBlanc

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2019, 10:59:41 AM »
I’ve played one of the $25k contra alto clarinets once.

Pretty nice, but I think I’d rather have a car
David Watson of the original The Clarinet Pages
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Offline Privett

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2019, 09:10:02 AM »
Heck, you could have a house for that kind of money in many parts of the world. haha

Offline TMHeimer

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2019, 03:46:24 PM »
I recently heard that someone paid about $6K US for a buffet Bb new. I bought mine in 1999 for $1,997 US tax included. The one before that in 1979 for $520 CAD and my first one in 1971 for $265 US.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book
tomheimer.ampbk.com/
austinmacauley.com/author/heimer-tom (PDF, click book)
Amazon, Sheet Music Plus (item A0.1001315)
"Boreal Ballad" for unacc. clarinet solo (advanced)
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Offline DaveLeBlanc

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2019, 04:25:38 PM »
I recently heard that someone paid about $6K US for a buffet Bb new. I bought mine in 1999 for $1,997 US tax included. The one before that in 1979 for $520 CAD and my first one in 1971 for $265 US.

Even inflating your 1971 price to today, that's still "only" about $1700, which is about right for a new Buffet.

$6k seems pretty extreme. I can't imagine that there's 5 times as much usability, quality, or durability than a $1700 one
David Watson of the original The Clarinet Pages
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Offline TMHeimer

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2019, 05:54:49 PM »
Think you're wrong about a new Buffet. A simple Google of new Buffets will find prices ranging from $3,500 to over $5,000. Long & McQuade (Canada) has Buffet Devines at over $11K CAD. $1,700 is probably from 20 years ago.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book
tomheimer.ampbk.com/
austinmacauley.com/author/heimer-tom (PDF, click book)
Amazon, Sheet Music Plus (item A0.1001315)
"Boreal Ballad" for unacc. clarinet solo (advanced)
Sheet Music Plus (item A0.1001314)
YouTube performances - search by title (Nielsen Concerto)

Offline DaveLeBlanc

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2019, 06:18:13 PM »
Very true, I am wrong for a professional Buffet. I think you can pick up an intermediate E11 or somesuch for around that price, new.

Used, you can probably find a relatively recent Buffet R13 for the $1700 mark or less. Here's a R13 Prestige that sold for a hair under $1700

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Buffet-R13-Prestige-Series-Professional-Bb-Clarinet/333296523349?hash=item4d9a055855:g:5MMAAOSw1rxdUkeS

However, it looks like Divine, Tosca, and the other ultra-premium Buffet clarinets are still selling for QUITE a bunch.
David Watson of the original The Clarinet Pages
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Offline WyoWind

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Re: The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2019, 10:08:05 AM »
i have only ever owned one clarinet - A Silver Conn with the serial # 424N-B-214130-L.... and I know nothing about it???  Or it's value???  Any ideas???
I appreciate your time and knowledge.