I have an older, expensive Buffet clarinet but it needs to be reconditioned. (Although I am now retired, I used to play professionally when I was younger so I know a few things about the instrument.) After many years of not playing, I picked up my clarinet several months ago and started playing for fun. Because the Buffet really needs work on it I decided to try my luck on an inexpensive clarinet. In spite of the many good reviews on the Hisonic, I did not expect much. However, in a nutshell, I was blown away!

This clarinet is easy to play, has exceptionally good tone and is everything anyone would want in a clarinet (with the exception of professionals, of course.) All I can say is that if people are having problems with it, they either have a lemon (which I suppose is possible) or more likely,are playing with the wrong strength reed, or most likely, need to learn how to blow into the instrument. For a person who has never played the clarinet, it is necessary to learn the correct embouchure, etc. It is not uncommon for a novice to be unable to get a sound out of even the most expensive instrument. With the right kind of instruction and practice you will find that this clarinet is a pleasure to play.

In summation, assuming that the instrument holds up for a reasonable period with no manufactured defects, (I just received it yesterday) it is hard for me to see how the quality of this clarinet can be beat even for a price well above what it is being sold for. This one is a true winner!

Five months later:
I have now had the clarinet for approximately five months and I play it almost every day. Everything I said above still very much applies and then some! This is a beautiful, well made, exceptionally good sounding instrument. I could not be happier with it. If you have any thoughts about purchasing a clarinet, do yourself a favor and select this one. You will be very glad you did.
P.S. If you are a beginner, buy yourself 1.5 strength reeds. You will find them easier to play (than the higher numbers) and they sound great on this clarinet.

As someone who’s bought and played professional-grade over-K instruments for 30+ years, I was very skeptical about whether this budget clarinet would play, or if it did, if the tonality would be any good. I was pleasantly surprised, as this works fine. I got this for a family member who wants to learn clarinet, and didn’t think it would be any good, since decent clarinets start at 0 retail and go up from there. But I didn’t want to buy a high-end selmer/yamaha for a starter clarinet, so opted for this instead.

The clarinet played fine out of the box (I’ve played clarinet/sax/keys for decades, so I am an experienced player). So far, so good. Doesn’t require more air pressure than any other clarinet, produces sounds at low registers easily. Just goes to show, sometimes quality doesn’t have to cost a bundle.

I’m very pleased with this at the price, and am glad I bought it — highly recommended for a first-time beginners’ instrument, as it plays fine and is in tune (often the budget instruments are woefully out of tune; this one is reasonably in-tune, and key action and playability is fine).

UPDATE Jan 2012: I liked this clarinet so much I bought a second “backup” one; it’s very, very well made and in the months since I bought it, my family likes it a lot. Just goes to show you can get a decent instrument at a great price (though that’s rare, most low priced instruments aren’t any good. This one is). Highly recommended clarinet, this one’s a winner.

-k

Despite its low price, this is a quality instrument and plays well. If you’re a professional musician, it obviously isn’t for you, but elementary students, HS students, and hobbyist will find this to be a wonderful instrument. I’ve played for two years, and I can tell you that this clarinet is just as good as the 0 one I played previously. I don’t understand some of the pretentious parents on here who knock this instrument. Please don’t listen to them… If your kid’s band teacher knocks it, please consider his/her motive (i.e. is he wanting you to rent one from the school or a company affliated with the school). Anyway, you need to critically evaluate the motives. I have no motive to mislead you, and I can honestly tell you, this is a great instrument. I love mine.