Klarinet Archive - Posting 000296.txt from 1995/08

From: John Kurokawa <kurokajk@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Buffet vs Leblanc
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 1995 22:29:38 -0400

For what it's worth, I've found that "raw" Buffets straight from the
factory are usually not very well adjusted and many are in fact, down right
sloppy. I would suggest setting up an appointment with someone like Tim
Clark, who goes over the best of the best Buffets with a fine toothcomb. If
you go to him when he has a good selection, you will almost certainly get a
good horn.

I tried several clarinets at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium this past
spring, including all of the Leblancs. I do find that they deliver what
they promise: a darker sound, a more even scale and response. What I do not
like about them however, is that I can't push them; they seem to just stop
at about mf, which makes me wonder how difficult it would be to project
with one in an orchestra.

On another note, I tried several new Howarth A clarinets, and I was very
impressed. They possessed a very flexible, resonant sound, with excellent
intonation.

Good luck in your search.

John Kurokawa
2nd year master's degree student, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory