Thomann CL-17C C-Clarinet Boehm

Like many people I bought this C clarinet so I could play folk music without having to transpose. I had heard that the tuning on a C clarinet is not great and that has certainly proved to be true with this instrument. Having neither played or heard another C clarinet I can't compare this instrument with other makes. For example the A below the middle break plays sharp and the Bb plays flat so you have to do a lot of embouchure work to keep it in tune. It also changes pitch rapidly as it warms up.

Having said all that, I am starting to really enjoy the instrument. It is very responsive - it speaks more easily than my Bb clarinet with the same mouthpiece and reed. The sound is pleasing albeit a little variable over the range - less bright and harsh than I expected.

For the price, the build quality and finish seem very good. The mouthpiece supplied with it is cheap and nasty and should be avoided. I have been using a Vandoren B45. I suspect most people will use their Bb clarinet mouthpiece, so the one supplied is a token.

I have been playing the instrument for about 3 weeks now and on the whole, would recommend it - based on a sample of one!

I had always wanted a C-clarinet but, having only ever required on on two occasions during my professional career - I am a woodwind multi-instrumentalist, couldn't warrent the expense. When I discovered this instrument, at such a great price, I just had to buy one!
After a month of playing I am not dissapointed. The instrument is well made, the ket-work is perfectly positioned and has a nice 'feel', the tone is sweet and not at all 'shrill' and, with the right mouthpiece, it plays in tune - suprisingly, now only supplied with 1 x barrel, anywhere between 338-442 hz.
Apart from the lack of ringing on the barrel, this instrument looks a match for my Buffet RC Prestige when placed next to it on the stand and responds in a similar way when played - blowing much more freely than my Selmer Eb.
Mouthpiece choice, for me, seems critical. The one which was supplied worked perfectly and played intune. My usual Selmer C85 120 sounded great but tuning suffered, especially on the throat notes. My Yamaha 6c was less free blowing, sounding very 'classical', but played perfectly intune so something like a Vandoren 5RV should work really well.
Another wonderful bargin from Thomann - thank you!