Our Clarinets
Please choose below which type of clarinet you would like to view, or scroll down to find out a bit more about our clarinets including a review in CASS magazine.
Build Quality
The keywork on Craven Sonoro clarinets is strong and durable but flexible enough to adjust and angle the keys for comfortable hand positioning. The clarinets are available in Nickel or Silver plating, treated to last longer and reduce the risk of allergic reactions. They have anchored posts usually found on more expensive clarinets. Made of natural hard rubber, a sustainable material called ebonite, they are very durable and stable, outlasting wooden clarinets. Unlike wood, which can be affected by climate and has a limited professional lifespan, these clarinets won't deteriorate, warp, or become unstable in tuning.
Best Value and Service
We whole heartedly believe our clarinets offer the best value for money with the personal service of a bespoke instrument tailored to your requirements at a fraction of the cost of off-the-shelf impersonal brands that are not giving any back up service or customer support. Whatever your requirements and should anything go wrong (hopefully not and unlikely) we, ( me personally and Ashley Brand ) will be at your service to deal with your every musical need.
Hard Rubber or Wood?
Our LC Craven Sonoro and Ridenour hard rubber clarinets offer professional sound quality and setup at a more affordable price compared to wooden clarinets. They are also resistant to cracking or warping in different climate conditions, such as low humidity, dry air, or high temperatures, which can harm wooden clarinets.
The hard rubber material provides a warm, consistent sound and is lighter to hold, making it easier to produce sound, especially in the higher register. For those who still prefer the depth of sound from a wooden clarinet, our hard rubber clarinets can be customised with a wooden barrel and bell to achieve a similar sound.
The SM-W Clarinet
Our SM-W wooden clarinet is of the highest quality at a fraction of the cost of other brands. The wood is certified from sustainable sources in Mozambique and is of the highest quality available. Should a crack occur, we offer personalised assistance and guarantee to replace the affected parts or the entire clarinet if necessary.
How do they sound?
Our clarinets blend and tune well, producing a great sound. Click on the play button to the right to listen to a short clip of hard rubber clarinets in action to hear how good they sound.
Robert Watson, a friend of our founder Leslie Craven (who helped design the SMERf reed system) and fine amateur player invited Les to record with him on a CD project recorded at Wyastone, Nimbus studios, Monmouth. Extract from the Magic Flute - Mozart: Robert Watson (1st clarinet) Ridenour Lyrique 576b and Les Craven (2nd Clarinet) on Craven SM SONORO Bb. Both with Silverstein Ambipoly Polymer reeds , Silverstein ligatures (Leslie on Titanium, Robert on Hexa and both on Craven Sonoro mouthpieces.
Not sure our clarinets are right for you?
We understand that you may be hesitant as a clarinet is a huge investment and that you may feel more comfortable to go for a brand that you are more familiar with. Feel free to contact us and we will hope to put your mind at ease by providing you with the best quality clarinet at the most affordable price with superior customer service.
But, you don’t just have to take our word for it. Click HERE for a full review of our SM2 B Flat Clarinet in CASS Magazine by the respected clarinettist Alistair Penman or visit our Customer Reviews page.
