The short version
- Typical range: £50 – £300
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Music & Instruments
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used clarinet is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for clarinets, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £300 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £255 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £195 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £135 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £75 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a clarinet
- Grenadilla and other hardwood bodies
- No cracks in the joints or barrel
- Pads sealing with intact corks
- Recognised makers with a following
What lowers it
- Cracks in wooden bodies, which are costly to repair
- Leaking pads and compressed corks
- Bent keys from drops
- Plastic student instruments, worth much less
How to work out what yours is worth
- Inspect every joint and the barrel for hairline cracks
- Check the tenon corks are intact
- Press each key and check the pads seal
Once you have those three answers you can place your own clarinet on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main risk with a wooden clarinet?
Cracks. Wood moves with humidity and cracks in the joints or barrel are expensive to repair, so inspect carefully.
Are plastic clarinets worth selling?
For modest sums as student instruments. Wooden clarinets from recognised makers are worth considerably more.
What are tenon corks?
The corks where the joints fit together. Compressed corks cause air leaks but are inexpensive to replace.
More value guides: music & instruments guides · all value guides · browse live music & instruments listings.