Expert: jack wiard - 11/6/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a Evette Buffet Crampton H24731 R Malerne Paris Standard clarinet and a Conn 464N B296017L. Can you tell me the value of each? I have a grandma begging to buy one of them for her grandchild. Thanks!

ANSWER: Hello Margaret,   Both Conn and Malerne clarinets are in the intermediate range...If they are wood, and excellent condition, in todays' market, they would be worth $600-900 [a little more for the MALERNE ]    Cheers   JACK

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QUESTION: Thanks, these are not in excellent condition. Need new pads etc. How do I tell if wood or plastic?

Answer
Hello again Margaret...Plastic clarinets tend to be very black and very shiny..If you look closely at a wood clarinet, you can usually see the tiny wood grains in the wood...Plastic clarinets also tend to be a little lighter in weight than wood...Some manufacturers can make plasic  look like wood by adding 'simulated' wood grain in the plastic...If you are still not sure, an instrument repairman could tell you at a glance if it is wood or plastic...Cheers   JACK