The World\'s Most Expensive Clarinet

[DaveLeBlanc]

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).

[Skyfacer]

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

[ZoeB]

Backun? I shudder to think what a MoBa clarinet costs.

[BLMonopole]

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.

[Skyfacer]

Thanks for the links BL, now I have three other sites that I can log into and drool over.

[DaveLeBlanc]

whoaa...  one day when i am rich and famous...

[Skyfacer]

Forget famous, just rich will do me.

[noneyet]

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? 

https://www.wwbw.com/Selmer-Paris-Model-41-Contrabass-Clarinet-467305-467305000000000.wwbw

[DaveLeBlanc]

I’ve played one of the $25k contra alto clarinets once.

Pretty nice, but I think I’d rather have a car

[Privett]

Heck, you could have a house for that kind of money in many parts of the world. haha

[TMHeimer]

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.

[DaveLeBlanc]

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

[TMHeimer]

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.

[DaveLeBlanc]

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.

[WyoWind]

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???