The Buffet Crampon E11 is one of the most respected student clarinets in the world. For decades, it has been the instrument of choice for advancing students, school music programs and private teachers seeking a genuine wooden clarinet that delivers professional-inspired tone, exceptional reliability and outstanding playability.
Crafted from carefully selected African Blackwood (Dalbergia Melanoxylon) and manufactured in Buffet Crampon's specialist German workshops, the E11 provides the warmth, projection and tonal complexity that students simply cannot achieve from most entry-level ABS clarinets.
For many clarinetists, the E11 represents the first step into the world of professional-quality wooden instruments.
If we had to choose one clarinet that consistently earns the trust of teachers, band directors and repair technicians, the Buffet E11 would be high on the list.
For many students, this is the first significant upgrade from an ABS student clarinet, and the difference is often immediately noticeable. The African Blackwood body produces a warmer, fuller tone with greater depth and projection, while the overall response feels more refined and expressive.
The E11 is especially attractive because of its long-lasting durability. Many students purchase an E11 in their early secondary school years and continue playing it successfully through AMEB examinations, senior ensembles and beyond. It's an instrument that rewards developing technique and allows students to grow musically without quickly outgrowing the instrument itself.
While newer models such as the Prodige offer an excellent starting point, the E11 remains the model many teachers recommend when a student is committed to clarinet and ready to experience the benefits of a genuine wooden instrument.
Quite simply, there is a reason the E11 has become one of the most recognised student clarinets in the world.
