Guitar Guide

Brass & Woodwind Buying Guide

Wood vs. Resin at the Intermediate Tier: What You're Actually Paying For

V Rated by Vincent Vandegans · Updated Sep 2026

A student clarinet is almost always resin/plastic for durability and cost; moving to wood (grenadilla, typically) is the single biggest tonal upgrade available when stepping up. Wood resonates differently, giving a warmer, more complex sound that most players notice within the first few notes — but it also brings real maintenance responsibilities a plastic horn doesn't.

The ten clarinets below are real, currently-listed intermediate wood instruments, checked for seller reliability and priced against comparable recent sales.

At a Glance — Our Top Picks

Editor's Top Pick
Selmer CL200 Intermediate Wood Clarinet - 43

Selmer CL200 Intermediate Wood Clarinet - 43

Score 95/100 · $85.00 · Used

See details ↓
Best New
Vintage Noblet 27 Paris Wood Clarinet w/ Case - French Intermediate Repair

Vintage Noblet 27 Paris Wood Clarinet w/ Case - French Intermediate Repair

Score 83/100 · $99.99 · Not specified

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Best Used
Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Paris Intermediate w/ Travel Case

Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Paris Intermediate w/ Travel Case

Score 95/100 · $389.99 · Used

See details ↓

Top 10 Brass & Woodwinds on eBay & Amazon

Ranked and rated by Vincent Vandegans — verified you can buy.

1

Selmer CL200 Intermediate Wood Clarinet - 43

Rating Score: 95/100 · $85.00 Used

Selmer CL200 Intermediate Wood Clarinet - 43 Selmer CL200 Intermediate Wood Clarinet - 43 Selmer CL200 Intermediate Wood Clarinet - 43 Selmer CL200 Intermediate Wood Clarinet - 43
4 photos
Brand
Selmer
Type
Soprano Clarinet
Body Material
Wood
Color
Black
Instrument
Clarinet
Set Includes
Case, Mouthpiece
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (2055 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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2

Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Paris Intermediate w/ Travel Case

Rating Score: 95/100 · $389.99 Used

Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Paris Intermediate w/ Travel Case Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Paris Intermediate w/ Travel Case Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Paris Intermediate w/ Travel Case Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Paris Intermediate w/ Travel Case
4 photos
Brand
Buffet Crampon
Bore Size
Medium
Body Material
Wood
Instrument
Clarinet
Set Includes
Case, Mouthpiece
MPN
Buffet Crampon E11
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 99.4% positive (3060 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
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3

VTG Noblet N Paris Intermediate Wood Clarinet Rare 70's in Case

Rating Score: 95/100 · $85.00 Used

VTG Noblet N Paris Intermediate Wood Clarinet Rare 70's in Case VTG Noblet N Paris Intermediate Wood Clarinet Rare 70's in Case VTG Noblet N Paris Intermediate Wood Clarinet Rare 70's in Case VTG Noblet N Paris Intermediate Wood Clarinet Rare 70's in Case
4 photos
Brand
Noblet
Type
N
Body Material
Wood
Color
Black
Instrument
Clarinet
Set Includes
Case
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 99.7% positive (5741 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $12.95
  • •No returns accepted
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4

Fernand Chapelain Clarinet Wooden Wood Short Buffet Barrel and Vtg Original Case

Rating Score: 95/100 · $791.99 Used

Fernand Chapelain Clarinet Wooden Wood Short Buffet Barrel and Vtg Original Case Fernand Chapelain Clarinet Wooden Wood Short Buffet Barrel and Vtg Original Case Fernand Chapelain Clarinet Wooden Wood Short Buffet Barrel and Vtg Original Case Fernand Chapelain Clarinet Wooden Wood Short Buffet Barrel and Vtg Original Case
4 photos
Custom Bundle
Yes
MPN
5GDG
Unit Type
Unit
Features
Case
Experience Level
Advanced, Beginner, Expert
Bell Diameter
2 3/4"
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 99.9% positive (3262 ratings)
  • •eBay Top Rated Seller
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
  • •On sale: 10% off (was $879.99)
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5

Vintage 70-80’s Selmer 100 USA Clarinet, Wood, with case, extras, SN 278881

Rating Score: 95/100 · $95.00 Used

Vintage 70-80’s Selmer 100 USA Clarinet, Wood, with case, extras, SN 278881 Vintage 70-80’s Selmer 100 USA Clarinet, Wood, with case, extras, SN 278881 Vintage 70-80’s Selmer 100 USA Clarinet, Wood, with case, extras, SN 278881 Vintage 70-80’s Selmer 100 USA Clarinet, Wood, with case, extras, SN 278881
4 photos
Brand
Selmer
Bore Size
Medium
Type
Alto Clarinet
Body Material
Wood
Color
Black
Instrument
Clarinet
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (3094 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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6

VTG CG Conn/Pan American “Cocobolo wood-tone” Clarinet w/leatherette case

Rating Score: 94/100 · $399.99 Used

VTG CG Conn/Pan American “Cocobolo wood-tone” Clarinet w/leatherette case VTG CG Conn/Pan American “Cocobolo wood-tone” Clarinet w/leatherette case VTG CG Conn/Pan American “Cocobolo wood-tone” Clarinet w/leatherette case VTG CG Conn/Pan American “Cocobolo wood-tone” Clarinet w/leatherette case
4 photos
Brand
Pan American / Div, C.G. Conn Ltd
Body Material
Wood, cocobolo
Color
Brown
Instrument
Clarinet
Set Includes
Case, leatherette molded case
Experience Level
Intermediate, Beginner
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (996 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $25.00
  • •No returns accepted
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7

Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Intermediate

Rating Score: 95/100 · $299.00 Used

Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Intermediate Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Intermediate Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Intermediate Buffet Crampon E11 Wood Bb Clarinet Intermediate
4 photos
Brand
Buffet Crampon
Bore Size
Medium
Body Material
Wood
Color
Black
Instrument
Clarinet
Set Includes
Case
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (19070 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
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Customer reviews on eBay ›
8

Vintage Noblet 27 Paris Wood Clarinet w/ Case - French Intermediate Repair

Rating Score: 83/100 · $99.99 Not specified

Vintage Noblet 27 Paris Wood Clarinet w/ Case - French Intermediate Repair Vintage Noblet 27 Paris Wood Clarinet w/ Case - French Intermediate Repair Vintage Noblet 27 Paris Wood Clarinet w/ Case - French Intermediate Repair Vintage Noblet 27 Paris Wood Clarinet w/ Case - French Intermediate Repair
4 photos
Brand
Noblet
Design
Boehm System
Type
Bb
Body Material
Wood
Exact Year
1965
Model
Noblet 27
  • •Condition: Not specified
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (36 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $9.34
  • •Returns accepted (14 calendar day)
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9

1989 Buffet Crampon R13 professional wood clarinet (Serial #318091), French Made

Rating Score: 88/100 · $1,800.00 Used

1989 Buffet Crampon R13 professional wood clarinet (Serial #318091), French Made 1989 Buffet Crampon R13 professional wood clarinet (Serial #318091), French Made 1989 Buffet Crampon R13 professional wood clarinet (Serial #318091), French Made 1989 Buffet Crampon R13 professional wood clarinet (Serial #318091), French Made
4 photos
Color
Black
Key Type
Closed Hole
MPN
R13
Set Includes
Case
Brand
Buffet Crampon
Bore Size
Medium
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (195 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $35.00
  • •No returns accepted
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10

Buffet Crampon E11 Bb Clarinet Wood Black/Silver Germany with Case Untested

Rating Score: 95/100 · $279.00 Used

Buffet Crampon E11 Bb Clarinet Wood Black/Silver Germany with Case Untested Buffet Crampon E11 Bb Clarinet Wood Black/Silver Germany with Case Untested Buffet Crampon E11 Bb Clarinet Wood Black/Silver Germany with Case Untested Buffet Crampon E11 Bb Clarinet Wood Black/Silver Germany with Case Untested
4 photos
Brand
Buffet Crampon
Body Material
Wood
Color
Black, Silver
Instrument
Clarinet
Key Type
Open Hole
MPN
E11
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 99.9% positive (2822 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $9.99
  • •No returns accepted
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Buyer's Guide: How to Pick the Best Brass & Woodwind

What changes once you move from a student clarinet to intermediate wood.

Grenadilla Wood Care

Wood clarinets need to be swabbed after every session and protected from sudden temperature/humidity swings — cracking is the main risk of neglect, and it's a real repair cost if it happens.

Keywork Upgrades

Intermediate models typically add extra keys (like an articulated G# or low Eb/F correction mechanism) that student models omit — genuinely useful for smoother technique, worth understanding what a given horn includes.

Bore and Bell Design

Intermediate makers refine the bore profile for better intonation across registers compared to student models — this is where a lot of the tonal improvement actually comes from, more than the wood itself.

Brass & Woodwind FAQs

Is it time to move past a student clarinet? +

If you're playing regularly and starting to notice the student horn's intonation limits or its plastic tone ceiling, an intermediate wood clarinet is a natural and worthwhile next step.

How do I check for cracks in a used wood clarinet? +

Examine the wood closely near the tone holes and barrel joint under good light, and ask the seller directly — a hairline crack there is the main risk with older wood clarinets and can affect tone significantly.

Buffet or Selmer at the intermediate tier? +

Both make excellent intermediate wood clarinets with slightly different tonal characters — Buffet tends toward a brighter, more focused sound, Selmer toward warmer and rounder, but individual instruments vary enough that trying before buying matters more than the brand choice.

Do I need a case humidifier? +

Strongly recommended for wood clarinets, especially in dry climates or heated winter rooms — a small case humidifier is inexpensive insurance against cracking.

Top Sellers Rank

Rank Seller Price vs. average Rating
#1 alsbarn -31% vs. avg ★ 5
#2 nuklhdice -80% vs. avg ★ 5
#3 todayitsforsale +83% vs. avg ★ 5

Why Should You Trust Us?

Every clarinet is cross-checked against live eBay listings, with attention to whether the listing describes any visible cracks or repairs — a critical detail for wood clarinets that a photo alone doesn't always reveal.

Vincent Vandegans

Written by Vincent Vandegans

Vincent has spent years buying, selling, and researching gear across live marketplaces. He personally tests a portion of the products featured on this site — hands-on with the exact model, checking build quality, sound, and feel for himself. For the rest of the lineup, each pick goes through the same in-depth research process rather than being taken at face value from a listing photo.

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How this guide was researched

Hands-on testing, when possible

Whenever Vincent owns or can source the exact model, he tests it directly — evaluating build quality, sound, playability, and how it holds up against the manufacturer claims.

Technical spec sheets, compared side by side

For every other pick, the manufacturer datasheets, manuals, and published specifications are read in full and compared against competing models in the same price range — not just skimmed from a listing summary.

Real owner reviews, mined from blogs and forums

Vincent digs through long-running gear forums, owner blogs, and marketplace review threads to find recurring, repeated feedback from real buyers after months of actual use — not just the top review snippet or a manufacturer-friendly quote.

Live marketplace data, checked at publish time

Price, seller reputation, condition, and availability shown on this site are cross-checked directly against live eBay and Amazon listings, so the ranking reflects what is actually being sold, not a historical average.

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