Our aim at The Clarinet Company is to give everyone the chance to experience a professional quality , well prepared clarinet at an affordable price. An opportunity to gain valuable advice from experienced professionals and good value for money.

This, in stark contrast to the often inflated prices and lack of personal attention from the larger musical instrument “super stores” selling shoddy, unprepared, often inferior products in an impersonal way.

The Director Leslie Craven

Based in Monmouth, in the beautiful Wye valley, Wales, the Director and owner of The Clarinet Company is Leslie Craven, the retired Principal clarinettist of the Welsh National Opera Orchestra, a position he held for over 26 years.

Before settling in Wales, Leslie played Principal clarinet with London’s Major Orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, the Philharmonia, London Musici, BBC and many more. He was also in constant demand in the recording studios for Film and TV sessions playing in films such as the original Wicker Man, Howard’s End, Mickey Blue Eyes and TV series such as Soldier Soldier, House of Eliot and Anna Lee as well as for commercials such as MacDonalds, Arial soap powder, Ribena, Lindt chocolates and many more. He is one of Europe’s most successful soloists in chamber and concerto contexts, recording numerous CDs with world renowned artists such as Stjepan Hauser of “2CELLOS” fame.

He has developed the LC Craven “Sonoro” range of Clarinets to try to enable all clarinettists, regardless of level, amateur or professional to aspire to being able to afford the best clarinet for their personal budget.

Ashley Brand is a professional clarinettist and saxophonist and The Clarinet Company contact for London and the home counties. He can arrange to meet customers wishing to try the clarinets and accessories at a location they choose, or at his studio at home in Loughton (Essex). Ashley is player of considerable experience and skill can offer professional expertise and the best advice in keeping with the ethos of The Clarinet Company before handing over to Leslie to complete and finalise the sale either by credit/debit card or direct bank transfer.

All clarinets: are provided with an excellent quality back pack style case, standard mouthpiece and ligature, cork grease and swab and comes with free shipping to UK addresses.

Guarantee: Leslie gives his personal guarantee and promise to give each client peace of mind. There is no specific written term for the guarantee but all clarinets are guaranteed for a fair and reasonable period against defects and we will do all we can to rectify any issues that may arise. Leslie’s personal reputation for looking after customers before and after sale is exemplary click here to see our reviews and testimonials . An old-fashioned “my word is my bond” personal approach is the way we work at The Clarinet Company which far exceeds any written guarantee. (See below)

Evidence of The Clarinet Company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and the ethics and ethos of my company:

From a customer whose clarinet had a mishap and a broken spring needed replacing two weeks after the sale:

“I'm the happy owner of one of Les's Sonoro clarinets (in C) and wanted to thank Les for the quality of customer service I have had. Les had been helpful all along, going out of his way to get the instrument to me while I was travelling) but when the new instrument developed a fault (a broken spring) he rectified it by a very generous and immediate replacement with an upgraded instrument. Les really does care about his customers and has a wealth of practical experience in all matters clarinet.” Paul Sherwood (taken from a face book review)

Terms of sale: After full payment is made, a one week trial period is given to enable the customer to test the clarinet and decide if the clarinet is ideal for them and if not 100% satisfied then a full refund minus shipping costs will be made provided no damage or excessive wear has occurred. There will be a charge if the trial period is exceeded (please see T’s and C’s) but this is at the discretion of Leslie Craven or Ashley Brand.

Purchases can be made via Leslie over the telephone and most major credit/debit cards are accepted.

About Us, Terms of Sale and Guarantees