I have noticed quite a range of models various pupils of mine are learning on, some of which I know little about. They include BH Regent, Corton, Stagg, Buffet Evette to name a few. Others have the more established Buffet B12, Yamaha, Jupiter etc.

Has anyone encountered the ones I mention as not so familiar with?

One of my friends has the Buffet Evette. We don't think much of it, very hard to tune, but then we are talking about an ancient council rental so I wouldn't take that as definitive!

Boosey and Hawkes Regents date back to the days before B&H took over Buffet. Well maintained, they're nice clarinets, though as they're getting on a bit now, do give them a check over.

Not had experience of Corton clarinets, sorry.....

Stagg clarinets come from China : I've seen and heard worse clarinets, but equally have seen a lot better, and reliability hasn't been great with the ones I've seen. Has the potential at least to get you started.

The Corton is a Czech brand. The Boosey and the Buffet Evette should both be in the same category as the Buffet B10/12 - if well maintained, of course.

Liz

I have a 30 year old Evette, apparently it's the forerunner to the B10. It's not great and I find it hard to get the top octaves but then I'm not a very good player!

A Boosey and Hawkes Regent was my first clarinet. It was bought second-hand 25 years ago, is still in reasonable condition, and I've encountered far worse plastic clarinets.

<goes misty-eyed remembering her first clarinet>

I took G 8 in the 80's but stopped playing when I knocked a tooth out. I bought a Yamaha 250 student instrument last year to see how I got on and if I could still play. I was impressed with the instrument but the tone quality in the lower octaves wasn't as good as it could've been. Also in the higher octave it didn't seem to have any substance. I have just purchased a Selmer Arthea. This is a beautiful instrument to play after the other one!

I've heard a lot about cheap clarinets from China and today I saw one. The guy had only had it a year but all the shiny silver had worn off the keys, so all the keys were a dirty yellow colour. I can't speak for the tone, but it looked dreadful.