Top Clarinet Brands: Discover the Finest for Every Level!

For music enthusiasts and aspiring clarinetists, choosing the right brand is crucial to ensure a harmonious sound and ease of play. Top brands like Buffet Crampon, Yamaha, Leblanc, and Selmer have consistently set the standard for quality and craftsmanship in the world of clarinets. Each offers a unique blend of sound quality, durability, and design, catering to different levels from beginners to seasoned professionals. Interested in exploring the distinguishing features and merits of these brands? Find out more below.

Illustration of clarinet

Best brands of clarinet in 2025

Buffet Crampon

Buffet Crampon, founded in 1825, is a renowned leader in the manufacture of wind instruments, particularly clarinets, holding approximately 85% of the global professional clarinet market. The brand's legacy is highlighted by the iconic R13 model, introduced in 1955, which features a revolutionary poly-cylindrical bore designed by Robert Carree. The R13 remains the most popular professional clarinet, favored by most orchestral players and university professors. Buffet Crampon continues to innovate with models like the Divine, which boasts advanced keywork and a lighter design using carbon wire, maintaining their commitment to excellence that has made them a staple in the music industry for nearly two centuries. For more insight into their models, explore the differences between Buffet Crampon R13 and E11 clarinets.

Yamaha

Yamaha is a leading producer of clarinets, boasting a significant global market share in the wind instruments sector. As of 2019, Yamaha held a 32% global market share in wind instruments, including clarinets, saxophones, and trumpets. The company's long history of craftsmanship and technological innovation has enabled it to produce high-quality clarinets that meet diverse customer demands. Yamaha's commitment to R&D and its global network of sales subsidiaries and artist relations centers further solidify its position as a top choice for musicians. The company's strategies include expanding market share for mid-range and high-end wind instruments and promoting brass and wind instrument bands, particularly in China and emerging markets. For more details on their clarinets, you can visit their official website.

Selmer Paris

Selmer Paris is renowned as a leading producer of clarinets, with a legacy spanning over a hundred years since its founding in 1885 by clarinetist Henri Selmer. The brand is celebrated for its high-quality instruments, particularly its clarinets, which are favored by musicians globally. Selmer Paris maintains its excellence through the expertise of artisans at its Mantes-la-Ville workshops and its commitment to innovation and tradition. The brand holds a significant market share, with North America and Europe being key regions, where it commands more than 30% of the global revenue in the basset clarinet market. Selmer Paris continues to innovate, meeting the evolving needs of musicians across various genres. Learn more about their mission and innovation journey on their official website.

Leblanc

Leblanc is a renowned brand in the clarinet world, celebrated for its craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication to excellence. Founded in 1946 as Leblanc USA, the company has a rich history, including the acquisition of the Frank Holton Company in 1964 and the complete acquisition of Leblanc S.A. in 1993. Leblanc clarinets are favored by advanced players and professionals for their precision, tonal richness, and attention to detail. Although the company was sold to Conn-Selmer in 2004, Leblanc continues to produce a wide range of clarinets, from traditional to bass, contrabass, and contralto clarinets. Today, Leblanc remains a respected name, contributing significantly to the global clarinet market expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030.

Backun

Backun Musical Services is a renowned Canadian manufacturer of high-quality clarinets and accessories, founded by Morrie Backun in 2000. The company gained international recognition for its clarinet barrels, bells, and mouthpieces, and later partnered with Conn-Selmer and Leblanc from 2006 to 2010 to develop and distribute clarinets globally. After launching its own custom clarinets in 2011, Backun expanded its production and dealer network, with an estimated 50 production employees producing a significant number of instruments by 2019. The company's products, including the Q Series and Lumiere models, are highly regarded by professional clarinetists worldwide. Following an investment by Eastman Music Company in 2017, Backun continued to grow its market presence. For more information, visit their official website.

Jupiter

Jupiter Band Instruments, a subsidiary of KHS (Kung Hsue She), is renowned for producing high-quality clarinets and other wind instruments. Established in 1980, Jupiter has become a trusted brand in the music industry, utilizing imported European components and raw materials from Japan to ensure superior craftsmanship. Their instruments are manufactured in facilities in Taiwan and China, with higher-priced models made entirely in Taiwan and lower-priced ones in China. Jupiter's commitment to quality is evident in their ISO 9001 certification for all manufacturing facilities. The brand's global presence is strengthened by its diverse product lines, including clarinets that cater to various musical genres.

Amati

Amati is a renowned Czech instrument manufacturer known for producing high-quality clarinets, including student, intermediate, and professional models. Their instruments are characterized by bright, lively, and sweet sounds, distinct from those of Western European brands. After modernizing their factories and adopting advanced technologies like CNC machines and computer-aided designing, Amati has significantly improved the quality of their instruments, producing over 7,000 horns annually.

Patricola

Fratelli Patricola, established in 1976, is a renowned Italian company specializing in the production of high-quality oboes and clarinets. About 75% of their manufacturing process is done by hand, ensuring meticulous craftsmanship. Their instruments are crafted using premium woods like Grenadilla and Bubinga, aged for up to 12 years, and feature silver-plated or gold-plated key work. Patricola clarinets are available in various models, including the "Virtuoso" semi-professional and "Artista" professional grades, and are distributed globally, played by esteemed oboists and clarinetists worldwide. The company's commitment to quality and tradition has earned it a respected place in the world of woodwind instruments. For more detailed information, you can visit their Wikipedia page.

Uebel

Uebel is a renowned brand in the clarinet industry, known for its high-quality instruments that set international standards. Founded by Friedrich Gustav Uebel in 1878, the company has a rich history of collaboration with notable figures like Oskar Oehler, contributing to the development of the Oehler system. Uebel clarinets, particularly the Superior model, are crafted from naturally aged grenadilla wood, selected through rigorous processes like X-ray and frequency testing, ensuring optimal sound quality. Despite some models being produced in China, the final control and finishing of Oehler models are done in Markneukirchen, Germany, maintaining the brand's German tradition and quality standards. Uebel's instruments are favored by professional clarinetists for their impeccable mechanism, easy response, and pure tuning.

Rossi Clarinets

Rossi Clarinets, founded by the renowned clarinetist Luis Rossi, is esteemed for its high-quality, handmade instruments that adhere to the highest standards of the Boehm system. Known for their unique features such as the 'Automatic F' System and single-piece body construction, Rossi clarinets are favored for their smooth performance, stable intonation, and rich, complex sound. Luis Rossi, a Konex Prize winner and Honorary Member of the International Clarinet Association, brings his extensive performing and teaching experience to the design and construction of these instruments. His clarinets are available in various models, including the American, French, and L.R. models, each with distinct bore styles and tone-hole placements. With a strong presence in both Latin America and global music education, Rossi Clarinets are a top choice among professional clarinetists. For more details on their models and options, visit the Rossi Clarinets website.