When appraising a clarinet, the Martin Freres Company experts consider the following:

1. Current condition; Is the clarinet playable? Does it need to be reconditioned? Are there any scratches, cracks, leaks, missing components?
2. Popularity and market acceptance of the model at its initial release;
3. Where the piece was made; The French pieces tend to have a higher value, for example, than do the clarinets manufactured elsewhere;
4. Current demand versus supply affects the clarinet value;
5. How well has the clarinet been preserved, stored and/or maintained over the years of its existence?
6. Even if the clarinet is currently in good, playable condition, did the piece require significant repairs such as cracks, misaligned posts, replacement keys, at any time in its history?
7. Is the clarinet all original? Meaning: Is the bell original? Is the barrel original? Are the keys the original keys installed by its clarinet-maker? Do the serial numbers on the upper and lower joints match? Is the mouthpiece a Martin Freres? Is the ligature a Martin Freres? Originality of the clarinet certainly affect its value;
8. Which of the various Martin Freres maker’s stamps (logos) was used on the clarinet?
9. Actual recent sales.

Description for the Condition of a Clarinet

• Used Parts Only to Poor Condition – Not playable; Needs Major Work
• Used Fair to Good Playable Condition – Playable with minor issues, may have repaired cracks, may have metal-plating loss, fair pads, fair cork, fair springs.
• Used Very Good Playable Condition – Playable with no issues, may have repaired cracks, may have minor metal-plating loss, good pads, good cork, good springs.
• Used Excellent Playable Condition – No visible scratches, No cracks or pins, No metal-plating loss; must have new pads, new cork, good springs

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