Klarinet Archive - Posting 000302.txt from 1995/08

From: Lou Polcari <polcari@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Buffet vs Leblanc
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 1995 02:15:00 -0400

Hi John;

On Tue., 22 Aug. 1995, John Kurokawa <kurokajk@-----.EDU> wrote:
>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.

Buffets from the factory are not finished. This is done with the
concept by Buffet that every player has different needs that they feel its best
left rough. What you find comfortable in a clarinet is most likely not what I
like might like. I am speaking of tension ect. Also is the intonation of the
Clarinet. Some need the instrument to tune at A 440, others need to tune
sharper. If they tuned at the factory, (as does other makers) then getting to
the ideal pitch impossible.

I was a Clarinet section leader for a service band and played allot of
different clarinets. I found the ones that played well, out of the bag were not
the best clarinets in the long run. (same thing with the sax BTW) Mostly sound
was the problem and intonation was the problem with these clarinets. I had
Emillio in Boston match my A and Bb R13s and I love playing them. This info is
based on talks with Emillio, David Hite, and Buffet reps.

>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.

I have played the Leblancs and find them even heavier then the Buffet
Green line clarinet. It is interesting though...

Lou Polcari