I'm in High School. Is it worth it to get a Low C Bass Clarinet?

Got this email from a young lady who is interested in purchasing her own bass clarinet, but wondered whether it was "worth the investment." Here's her email. 

Hi Mike, I am a bass clarinet player at [High School] in Texas, I’m really interested in purchasing a model Alpha bass from y’all but I don’t know if it is worth it for me as a player, I have been playing bass for almost 7 years and I am planing on pursuing a career in music and maybe even being part of an orchestral group. My main concern is that I only have 1 year of High school left and $4,500 is a big commitment of cost for me, I currently make enough to finance it for a year. I am planning on working very hard in this upcoming 2026 TMEA region season, and within my own school's concert and solo contest season, I was wondering if you consider it worth it to invest in a low C model Alpha or if I should stay on the 10 year old Low C Buffet Horns that my school has despite how old and inconsistent they are?

Dude. Duuuuuuuuuude.

It’s worth it. So many reasons…let’s count:

1. You will have an instrument that is in perfect shape for TMEA, completely adjusted and sealing like a champ, which means everything you play on it will be much easier.
2. Having your own instrument means no one else can screw it up if they play it. Or drop it, or yeet it across the football field. (Valid if you have to share the 10 year old Buffet).
3. You'll have the same instrument in college, and don’t have to switch to a (probably another beat-up) college bass clarinet
4. A low C is basically “standard issue” for serious bass players now. If you’re talking about a college performance degree and maybe orchestra/big ensemble work, having a low C horn you already know is a massive advantage.
5. You’ll be practicing more and at a higher level the next 5–10 years than at any other point in your life. Having a horn that responds, tunes, and feels consistent makes that work way more productive (and way less frustrating).
6. The Alpha specifically punches way above its price in terms of response, intonation, and keywork. It’s not a “starter” instrument you’ll outgrow in two years...it’s a legit horn you can take into college and pro situations and not feel held back.
7. f your life veers in a different direction (it happens!), a good low C bass holds its value really well. You’re not lighting 4k on fire — you’re parking it in an asset you could sell later if you had to.

All that said, here’s the boring adult part:

If financing it for a year means you’re constantly stressed about money, can’t afford audition trips, lessons, reeds, or basic life stuff… then no instrument is worth that. On the other hand, if it’s tight but doable with you working, and you’re genuinely planning on a music career and putting in serious time this year and in college… then yeah, I do think it’s a smart investment.

Those 10-year-old Buffet school basses will absolutely let you survive TMEA and concerts. The Alpha will let you show what you can really do. That’s the difference.

I’d say: if you can swing it without wrecking your life, go for the Alpha low C.

______

Ok, I'm back with you, dear Blog Reader. 

I'd like to expand a little more on this, because others of you have a similar question: am I good enough for a professional instrument? Do I play enough? (Or if you're a professional already) Will I make enough money to justify the cost of a good pro horn? 

The answer, of course, is personal. But here's what I often tell people. Owning a bass clarinet is not like a marriage: 'til death do us part. You can ALWAYS sell a GOOD bass clarinet, and if you've had it for a few years AND have taken good care of it, you can usually sell it for more than you PAID for it.

• Exhibit A: my first bass clarinet—a Selmer Paris Model 33 — purchased by my dad for me when I graduated high school in 1985, cost $2,250 (new). Yes, I know: I'm old. Yes, I know: it's insane how much they've gone up in price. In 1994 I sold it for $4,300 after playing it for 10,000 hours. (If bass clarinets had odometers...)
• Exhibit B: the bass clarinet I purchased in 1994 to replace Exhibit A was a Model 37 Selmer. It cost me $5,000, new. I sold it in 2015 for $11,000. 
• Exhibit C: I bought a second bass (can't have too many, amirite?) in 1999 for about $7,000. Sold it for $10k a couple years ago.

Of course, your mileage may vary, depending on the horn you buy, but again a high-quality pro bass clarinet will take you far, and as I said to the young lady above, it's not like you're setting money on fire. It's an investment that you get to PLAY FRICKIN' MUSIC ON!

So, I hope this helps you make a good decision. Whether you buy it from me (I hope you do) or someone else, IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT without going into massive debt that you can't dig yourself out of, take the plunge!

Love always,
Mike