I have seen a market shift too. The really exotic pieces are few and far between, post COVID, and expensive, typically. I suspect that collecting quality antique clarinets will never be a losing proposition, and will always pay dividends, with patience.
Phil--you make a good point that making music and developing musicians in the U.S. is no longer regarded as nearly as important as it once was, and the proliferation of cheap instruments that parents can purchase on a whim and toss once little Johnny or Suzy loses interest is on the rise. I no longer see much innovation in clarinets, nor do I see manufacturers who take the same level of pride in their keywork or finishwork as was once common among the high end firms.
I have failed to impress upon my own kids the importance of developing their musical talent, despite the fact that they possess talent. They simply lack the interest or desire--but love music; a real head scratcher.
I suspect like so many things, that interest will ebb and flow, but I dearly hope that the inherant desire for creating music will not diminish to the point where we lose generations of players.
I have seen a huge increase in professional clarinet restoration prices lately. What once could be sorted for $400.00 and change, pre--COVID, now costs north of $800.00 in my area. I am glad to see technicians charge what they are worth, finally, but with such steep rapid increases, it drives parents further from wanting anything but a throw-away. The problem is not primarily an economic one, but more a social one as I see it. We invest in that which we value, and our value in quality and longevity has changed considerably.
