A Wooden Clarinet That Means Business
There's a real milestone moment for clarinet players when they set down a plastic student horn and pick up their first wooden instrument. The Buffet Crampon E11 is where that moment tends to happen — and for good reason. Buffet Crampon has been making clarinets since 1825, and the E11 was their first wooden clarinet designed specifically for students advancing beyond the basics. That's not a marketing footnote; it shaped every decision in how this instrument was built.
The E11 is made in Buffet Crampon's dedicated workshops in Markneukirchen, Germany, using traditional construction methods paired with modern consistency checks. What you get is a free-blowing, carefully hand-finished instrument that sits in a very specific sweet spot: wooden tone and professional-grade keywork, at a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage.
Whether you're moving up from a beginner plastic clarinet, preparing for All-State auditions, or settling in for years of ensemble playing, the E11 gives you a clarinet that can genuinely grow with you.
African Blackwood Body — Wood That Works
The E11's body, barrel, and bell are all crafted from African Blackwood — also known as Grenadilla — a dense, resonant hardwood long associated with the clarinet tradition. The wood is stained and lacquered to protect against moisture and everyday handling while preserving its natural grain character.
What does wood do for your sound? Players consistently find that wooden clarinets produce a warmer, more centered tone compared to their plastic counterparts — particularly in the middle and upper registers where projection and evenness matter most. The E11 gives you that character without requiring you to be a professional to appreciate it.
Silver-Plated Keys and Undercut Tone Holes
The E11 features 17 silver-plated keys over a 6-ring layout — the same Boehm system configuration you'll find on professional-grade Buffet clarinets. Silver plating gives the keywork a smooth, responsive feel and holds up well over years of regular use. Stainless steel springs provide consistent, precise key action throughout the range of the instrument.
Undercut tone holes are another detail borrowed from Buffet's higher-end instruments. The undercut geometry improves response and intonation accuracy, helping players produce cleaner attacks and more even tone across registers. It's the kind of feature you might not notice on day one, but you'll feel the difference when you go back to an instrument without it.
A fixed thumbrest rounds out the ergonomics, keeping the instrument consistently positioned in your hand during long rehearsals or performances.
Built for the Advancing Player
The E11 is pitched in Bb at 442 Hz — the standard concert pitch for clarinet in band and orchestral settings. Its free-blowing character means you won't be fighting the instrument to get a sound; the E11 responds readily, which lets you focus your energy on tone, technique, and musicality rather than resistance.
Educators and private teachers have long recommended the E11 as a reliable step-up option precisely because it doesn't get in the way of learning. It's honest about what it is: a well-built intermediate clarinet with professional design details, made by one of the most respected names in the woodwind world.
Product Features:
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Instrument Type: Bb Clarinet (intermediate)
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Body/Barrel/Bell: Stained African Blackwood (Grenadilla), treated and lacquered
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Key System: 17 keys, 6 rings — standard Boehm fingering system
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Key Finish: Silver-plated for smooth, durable action
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Tone Holes: Undercut for improved response and intonation
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Springs: Stainless steel for precise, consistent key movement
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Thumbrest: Fixed
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Pitch: 442 Hz standard concert pitch
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Manufactured: Buffet Crampon workshops, Markneukirchen, Germany
Brand: Buffet Crampon
Model: E11
SKU: BC2501N-5-0ABS
Condition: New
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