Buffet Crampon · Student · B12
Buffet says it introduced the B12 more than 30 years ago, as the most affordable clarinet in its catalog, and that it opened new markets for the company across Europe, the United States, Australia and Asia. Before that, Buffet sold its cheaper clarinets under the Evette and Evette & Schaeffer names, and Wikipedia says the Buffet name went on every one of its clarinets from around 1985. Dawkes Music, a UK woodwind dealer, remembers the B12 as the top-selling plastic beginner clarinet for years, until Yamaha's YCL-250 arrived in the early 2000s and within a few years matched it in Dawkes's sales. The body is ABS resin, which Buffet says shrugs off humidity changes and can be played outdoors in any weather without the cracking risk of grenadilla. Buffet later replaced it with the Prodige, then brought the B12 back in 2025 as a new generation with nickel-plated keys, a fixed thumb rest, blue steel springs and an optional alternate E-flat lever. Buffet sells it to beginners of all ages and as a backup or outdoor clarinet for advanced players. Most B12s on the used market are the older version, so judge each one on its pads, corks and keys.
A sound first clarinet for a child starting band, and a sensible marching or outdoor spare for an older player. The plastic body won't crack from humidity, so put your attention on the pads, corks and keys.
Build and caseB12
Bent keys from twisting the joints together, worn tenon corks and leaking pads are the usual problems on a band-room clarinet. Plastic clarinets can deform near heat, so a B12 kept in a hot car isn't safe just because it's resin.
More on this in our clarinet buying guide.
Buying guide
We'd buy a B12 that's titled overhauled or play-tested, like the overhauled one with a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece at $450 delivered, or the one titled plays great with a case and new mouthpiece at $222. There are at least 72 for sale, mostly asking $220–470 delivered, and new ones ask about $466, so an unserviced used B12 should cost well under that. Budget for a shop check-up on any one not titled serviced, and look at the pads, the cork rings on the joints and the bridge key in the photos. Germany and Paris stamps both turn up, and the Germany ones are older B12s. Skip the $1,000 listing from a zero-feedback seller whose photo shows only a closed case.
$94.66est. delivered
The lowest delivered B12 here at $95, titled with its case and mouthpiece, both in the photo, from a 100% seller. It makes no playing claim, so budget for a shop check-up on the pads and corks.
Buffet Crampon B12 Bb Clarinet Closed Hole Black Plastic w/ Case & Mouthpiece
$222.30est. delivered
Titled plays great, with a case and a new BC mouthpiece, at $222 delivered from a 99.7% seller, at the bottom of the band. Ask for a close photo of the pads and the bridge key.
BUFFET CRAMPON B-12 Bb Clarinet case, new BC mouthpiece, plays great, $200
$449.99delivered
For a parent we'd pick this one, titled overhauled and ultrasonic cleaned by a US repairer, with a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece and the case in the photo. At $450 with free shipping it's near the top of the band, and the service is what you're paying for.
BUFFET CRAMPON B-12 Bb Clarinet w/Vandoren B45 - Overhauled & Ultrasonic Cleaned
$449.99delivered
Titled overhauled and ultrasonic cleaned, and complete with mouthpiece and case, so it should play out of the box, as the seller claims.
BUFFET CRAMPON B-12 Bb Clarinet w/Vandoren B45 - Overhauled & Ultrasonic Cleaned
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$94.66est. delivered
$85.00 + $9.66 shipping
Buy It Now$85.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled with case and mouthpiece, both in the photo. No playing claim.
Seller: sil-9137
100% positive
Used$222.30est. delivered
$200.00 + $22.30 shipping
Buy It Now$200.00
Good buy
Titled plays great, with case and a new BC mouthpiece.
Seller: lepreshaun
99.7% positive
Serviced$449.99delivered
$449.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$449.99
Good buy
Titled overhauled and ultrasonic cleaned, with a Vandoren B45. Case in the photo.
Seller: osoriotech
99.7% positive
Used$285.78est. delivered
$275.00 + $10.78 shipping
Buy It Now$275.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled W Germany, an older B12, with case and Vandoren reeds.
Seller: wonofakind
99.8% positive
Used$306.84est. delivered
$295.00 + $11.84 shipping
Buy It Now$295.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled with case. No playing claim.
Seller: ab4008
100% positive
Serviced$335.44est. delivered
$315.00 + $20.44 shipping
Buy It Now$315.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled overhaul included in the price. Ask what it covers.
Seller: saxesandaxes
100% positive
Used$314.35est. delivered
$289.00 + $25.35 shipping
Buy It Now$289.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero feedback. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: erwill_3089
No feedback yet
Used$1,011.54est. delivered
$1,000.00 + $11.54 shipping
Buy It Now$1,000.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Zero feedback, and the photo shows only a closed case. About 3.2 times the median.
Seller: mcr8416
No feedback yet
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