I just purchased a wooden clarinet that I think I am going to like very much. I would like to know what I should use to keep the outside of the instrument clean and nice looking. I want to take good care of it. I will appreciate any advice or opinions.

Carol K

Keep the keys clean by wiping them with a soft cloth after playing, especially if your hands have been hot and sweaty, and always play with clean hands!
The areas around the keywork and rods will get a bit dusty after a while - the best way to tackle these bits is to use a smallish artists paintbrush, which can get into the nooks and crannies.
For the wood I use a special wax which I got along with some other things from America - you just use a little dab and rub it in, then buff it with a cloth. If you ask at your music shop you can probably get something similar. Don't use furniture polish though!
You'll need to oil the bore occasionally (but not for a while if it's a new clarinet). When it starts to look dull inside, rather than smooth and shiny, it probably needs oiling - but do be sparing! Again, you should buy special bore oil rather than use any old thing.
If you do a Google-search for the Clarinet BBoard, you can then click on the 'Sponsors' list there to look at the 'Doctor's Products'. That's where I got my things from, along with other goodies like mouthpiece bags and his own brand of silk swab. He also does Gonzalez reeds which are very good.
I've been really pleased with the things I've bought from him.
The Clarinet BBoard is also a really useful resource - I've learnt an awful lot about technique and about clarinets in general from there.

If you've got silver keys try getting a silver cloth as the keys will go black especially with a lot of use. You just rub it over the keys occasionally. Don't ever ever use silver polish, I am not sure why but I've had that drummed into me! I suppose it clogs up the mechanism. The cloths you can usually get from jewellers.

Cat

I wouldn't reccomend someone treating the bore of a wooden clarinet themselves. I would get a professional to do it as A they know what they are doing and B almond oil (which they very often use) is a nightmare. You have to take every key off so that you don't rot your pads or mess up your keywork. It won't need to be done for about a year and a half though anyway.

Are the Gonzales reeds the ones which are plastic and cost around £10 each? I was thinking of getting one if they are. Are they any good?

Purple Dolphin - No, Gonzalez are 'normal' reeds. I like them very much, especially as they come in quarter-strength gradations rather than the usual half-size steps. I use the 2.75 ones myself.
I think you mean the 'Legere' plastic reeds. I haven't tried one myself, but have heard that they are good - they just don't feel quite the same to the player as a cane reed!