Professional clarinets are a different category entirely from student instruments. The body is grenadilla wood, not plastic. The key work is silver or nickel plated with tighter tolerances. The bore dimensions are chosen for projection and tone rather than ease of manufacture. The price reflects all of that.
Most of the instruments in this guide cost between $2,000 and $5,000. Before buying, it’s worth being honest with yourself about where you are as a player. A professional clarinet in the hands of an intermediate player won’t make them sound professional. It will, however, remove the ceiling that a student instrument eventually puts on your development.
Best Professional Clarinets
| Clarinet | Body | Keys | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffet R13 Nickel Keys | Grenadilla wood | Nickel silver | $3,000–4,500 |
| Buffet R13 Green Line | Grenadilla/carbon | Nickel silver | $3,500–4,500 |
| Yamaha YCL-650II | Grenadilla wood | Silver plated | $2,000–2,800 |
| Yamaha YCL-650 Original | Grenadilla wood | Nickel silver | $1,800–2,500 |
| Buffet E11 (step-up) | Grenadilla wood | Nickel silver | $1,200–1,800 |
1. Buffet R13 with Nickel Keys
The R13 is the most widely used professional clarinet in the world. That’s not a marketing line, it’s an observable fact: look at any major orchestra in any country and you’ll find R13s in the clarinet section. Developed in 1955, it’s been refined over seven decades without losing what made it great.
The grenadilla wood body produces a tone that ABS and synthetic materials can’t replicate, warm and focused with power in all registers. The polycylindrical bore gives the R13 its distinctive projection, that ability to cut through an orchestra without sounding harsh. The undercut tone holes improve intonation in the upper register where many clarinets struggle.
Nickel keys are the standard choice for most players. Silver keys cost more and some players feel they offer slightly faster action, but the difference is subtle and most people who play nickel never feel the need to switch.
- Most widely used professional clarinet in the world
- Grenadilla wood body for warm, focused tone with strong projection
- Polycylindrical bore gives excellent projection in orchestral settings
- Undercut tone holes improve upper register intonation
- 70 years of refinement behind this design
2. Buffet R13 Green Line
The Green Line is the same clarinet as the R13, but the body is made from a composite of grenadilla wood powder and carbon fiber rather than solid wood. Buffet developed this to solve one specific problem: grenadilla wood cracks when exposed to rapid temperature or humidity changes.
If you’re a player who performs outdoors, travels frequently, or stores your instrument somewhere with fluctuating conditions, the Green Line is worth the extra cost. The tone is nearly identical to the standard R13. Some players insist they can tell the difference, most can’t in a blind test. What you gain is complete immunity to cracking, which for some players is worth everything.
- Same design and bore as the R13, different body material
- Grenadilla/carbon composite completely eliminates cracking risk
- Tone nearly identical to standard R13
- Worth the premium for outdoor players and frequent travelers
- Helps relieve pressure on grenadilla wood supply
3. Yamaha YCL-650II
The YCL-650II is Yamaha’s current professional model and it’s an excellent instrument that costs significantly less than the R13. The grenadilla wood body is responsive and the silver-plated keys have a clean, precise action. Yamaha’s manufacturing consistency is exceptional, two YCL-650IIs will play very similarly, which isn’t always true of handmade instruments.
The leather pads are one of the notable improvements over the original 650. They’re quieter and more durable than synthetic pads, and they contribute to the instrument’s overall warmth. The adjustable thumb rest is well-designed and comfortable for longer sessions.
If you’re moving up from a student clarinet and the R13 feels like too large a financial commitment, the 650II is a serious professional instrument at a more accessible price.
- Grenadilla wood body with excellent Yamaha manufacturing consistency
- Silver-plated keys with precise, clean action
- Leather pads for warm, quiet response
- Significantly less expensive than R13
- Excellent choice for advancing players who want a professional instrument
4. Yamaha YCL-650 Original
The original YCL-650 is the predecessor to the 650II and is still available. It features a 65mm barrel that produces a focused tone with quick response, and a new bell design with a resonance chamber that aids projection in the lower register. Some players prefer it to the 650II, finding the tone slightly brighter and more projecting.
It’s typically available at a lower price than the 650II, making it a practical option for players who want a Yamaha professional clarinet at a reduced cost. Worth comparing both if the option is available.
- 65mm barrel for focused tone and quick response
- Resonance chamber in bell improves lower register projection
- Adjustable thumb rest
- Often available at lower price than 650II
5. Buffet E11, Best Step-Up Clarinet
The E11 is not a full professional clarinet, but it deserves a place on this list because it’s the best step-up instrument available and the natural starting point before committing to R13 money. The body is grenadilla wood, not ABS, which already puts it in a different league from most student instruments.
The key mechanism uses the same design principles as the professional Buffet range. The tone is warm and clear with good projection. Many university music students and semi-professional players perform on E11s for years. If you’re not yet sure whether you want to invest in a full professional instrument, the E11 is the most honest answer.
- Grenadilla wood body, a real step up from ABS student instruments
- Buffet key mechanism based on professional range design
- Good tone and projection for the price
- Popular with university students and semi-professional players
- Lower cost entry point into wood clarinet playing
Wood vs. Synthetic: Why It Matters at the Professional Level
Student clarinets use ABS resin because it’s durable and cheap to manufacture. Professional clarinets use grenadilla wood because it sounds better. The wood vibrates differently from plastic, producing harmonic complexity that synthetic materials don’t replicate. This is the main reason professional instruments cost what they do.
The downside of wood is maintenance. Grenadilla clarinets can crack if they’re exposed to rapid humidity or temperature changes, particularly when new. Players new to wood instruments are typically advised to “break in” the clarinet slowly, playing for short sessions initially to let the wood adjust. This sounds fussy, and it is, but it’s just what comes with the material.
The Green Line is the exception: grenadilla composite that doesn’t crack. For players who can’t commit to careful wood maintenance, it’s a practical solution.
A Note on Buying Professional Clarinets Online
Professional clarinets are hand-finished instruments and individual examples can vary. Two R13s from the same production run won’t always play identically. Ideally, you’d play several examples before buying. If that’s not possible, buying from a reputable dealer with a good return policy is important. Most serious music retailers will let you return a professional instrument if it arrives with playability issues.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Charlotte Moore
Charlotte Moore is a Clarinetist by profession and has over time offered lessons on how to play the clarinet among other musical instruments. And while a majority of clarinet players are well versed with the process of settling with a good clarinet among other accompanying features. There is little information about clarinets. The reason why Charlotte prepared comprehensive experts touching on the various facets of the clarinet. The consolidated information will offer more insight on everything clarinets including the best stand to use, and the best plastic clarinet that you can invest in, among other information. Charlotte Moore is a devoted mother of two and a professional clarinet player.